AGED 21

"Woohoo!"

Musa cheered as she jumped on top of the kitchen countertop, throwing her arms over her head as she partied. Stella giggled at her friend slash business partner as she opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water. She took small sips as she watched her friend with a gentle smile on her face. It was a good day for both of them.

"I can't believe we sold out on launch day, babe! We have to celebrate!"

She announced as she jumped off and grabbed Stella for a hug. They both laughed as Stella choked on the water and then sputtered it out, the liquid running down the sides of her lips.

"Maybe try not to kill me first?"

Stella joked as she took a tissue and dabbed the sides of her mouth with it. She couldn't believe how successful their business of sportswear fashion had been, and how quickly they'd managed to completely sell out on their launch day alone.

It was a dream come true for her.

Two years ago, she'd left home with the dream of becoming someone, being able to do something for herself. And now two years later, she managed to achieve it.

She was incredibly proud of herself but also Musa. This wouldn't have been possible without her help.

"How about we call the guys over and go clubbing? That would be fun!"

Stella snorted as she walked over towards the bin, dropping the damp tissue into it. She couldn't even imagine going out to party after the long day she'd just had. When she opened her mouth to decline the suggestion, the doorbell of their front-door rang as they both turned to look at it.

Their gazes met once more as Musa nodded.

"I'll get it."

Stella watched Musa leave the kitchen as she walked through their hallway and opened their front-door. From the way that the door was being held and the way which Musa was currently standing, Stella couldn't make out the person on the other side. Musa turned as she spoke out.

"It's for you, babe?"

Stella's eyebrows furrowed as she stood up straighter, looking directly to where a wide-eyed Musa was staring straight at her. Stella wasn't expecting any guests tonight. At least, she didn't think so.

She took some small steps towards the front-door as Musa slipped away. When she peeked over to see who it was, her lips parted and she gasped. The person on the other side smiled at her with a slight tilt of his head.

Brandon.

"Hey, sunshine."

His voice was deeper and smoother if possible. At once, she felt her heartbeat fasten as it truly hit her who was standing on the other side of the door.

"H-Hi."

She stammered, eyes wide as she found herself staring at him. It had been four years, four long whole years, since she last laid eyes on him. Two, since they'd last spoken. And the years had done him incredibly good. She could see the strain of tight muscle under his smart shirt, and the way that his trousers fitted perfectly against his legs. A blazer was folded over his arm, his hands decorated with a few rings and a golden watch.

Brandon looked…perfect.

He, too, couldn't stop staring at her. Was this really Stella? The same Stella he'd helped out when she was only ten? How did his adorable sunshine turn into this stunner of a woman? His eyes raked her from head to toe as he took in her new appearance. She was just a teen when he'd seen her last, and now, she had transformed into a beautiful young woman.

He was simply in awe.

"It's been a while, huh?"

He asked quietly as he focused his gaze once more on her face. She felt her cheeks bloom with red at his steady gaze on her but she didn't let that stop her from speaking.

"It has, hasn't it?"

She leaned against the doorframe and watched him as he watched her. Neither one of them knew what to do for a few minutes apart from stare at each other, but when Stella stood up straighter and opened the door some more, she asked if he'd like to come inside. Brandon didn't refuse this time.

He'd make sure he wouldn't ever refuse his sunshine ever again.

"Go on a date with me?"

The question was so sudden that both women began choking on their drinks. Brandon chuckled as he reached over and passed them a tissue each, and when they'd finally stopped and were able to breathe again, he watched the pair of them turn to stare at each other with wide eyes.

Stella rolled her bottom lip between her teeth as she looked at her friend in disbelief. He wasn't being serious, was he?

"Sunshine," he called out when the silence became overbearing. "Go on a date with me?"

A beat passed before Stella spoke up.

"When?"

Stella asked him quietly, her eyes still locked with Musa's. She watched her friend's smile get bigger as Brandon replied.

Musa was aware of exactly who Brandon was, and what he'd once been to Stella. She just didn't expect to see him in the flesh, at least not tonight when it was the day of their launch. It was a sweet gesture on his behalf. And if he was taking her best girl for a date tonight, she'd made sure it would be the best date Stella had ever been on.

"Tonight."

Brandon replied as he stood up. He put on his blazer, fixing his cuff links as he straightened his sleeves, before he smoothened the material and turned to look down at Stella. She didn't know that watching a man dress so smart could have turned her on like this.

She realised that it wasn't just any man who'd make her feel like this, it was only Brandon. It had only ever been Brandon for her.

And after discussing with him the things which had happened the past four years that neither one of them were able to meet, she remembered exactly why she'd fallen so hard for him. He was just perfect in every single way.

"You don't have to say yes if you don't want to; I'd respect your decision. But I'll be outside in my car and if you're not there within the next fifteen minutes, I'll assume that you've said no and I'll leave. If you turn up within that time frame, I'd be more than happy to take you on a date."

Stella swallowed hard as she finally moved her eyes from Musa towards Brandon and saw the way that he was staring at her with such fierceness. He muttered a goodbye to Musa and then saw himself out of their home. Stella watched him leave but her tummy tightened with butterflies.

Ten minutes.

Yes or no?

Stella applied a layer of red lipstick before she looked at herself in the mirror once more. She looked like a wet fucking dream.

Musa screamed into her pillow as she took some photos of Stella. She wasn't one to admit her honest feelings but tonight was blessed. She couldn't believe that her girl was going on a date with Brandon, the boy-turned-man from her childhood dreams. She was so happy for Stella. So happy.

"Now, hurry up and leave before he thinks you're not going, Stella!"

Musa shouted as she began pushing Stella out of her bedroom and towards the hallway. Stella couldn't deny the fact that there were butterflies in her tummy but she was also excited for this date with Brandon. Just thinking of that word–date–and Brandon's name in the same sentence had her feeling giddy like she had all those years ago. She never truly let go of him, but he'd managed to make his way back to her.

She just hoped that he was here to stay.

When Stella opened the front-door, she was met with a surprise. Brandon.

He had his back to her as he was pacing the front. She watched him with a smile as every so often, he'd look at his watch and continue with his pacing. Her chest bloomed when she realised that he was counting, waiting for the minutes to see if she'd come or not. Stella stepped out of the house and that's when Brandon turned.

And when he did, he stumbled a few steps back and his mouth parted open.

Stella felt a blush rise to her cheeks and she took a step towards him. He reached out and grabbed a hold of her hand, gently tugging Stella so that she'd fall softly against his chest. She let out a shy laugh as she tried to cover her face with her hair. Of course, she'd failed as Brandon pushed the strands away and tucked them behind her ear.

"You look beautiful, sunshine."

His voice was hoarse and Stella felt her heart quicken. How many years had she waited to hear something like this leave his lips? Brandon was looking at her with such awe in his gaze that she felt like she couldn't breathe. He was just too much.

"Thank you."

She replied as her lips pulled up at the sides. When she moved backwards to step away from him, Brandon kept her secure in his arms. Stella tipped her head to the side and looked up at him.

"Brandon?"

She murmured when he began rubbing his thumb over her wrist. He felt her pulse quicken and knew that she was one of two things; nervous or excited. He hoped it was the latter.

When Brandon moved in, Stella inhaled sharply but didn't refuse. And when he asked her in a small voice if he could kiss her, she simply nodded her head as her eyes fluttered closed. He leaned forward and wrapped an arm around her lower back. And when he gently pressed his lips against hers, she let out a soft moan as she brought her own hands up to cup the side of his face.

When they'd finally pulled away, it was only for a short few seconds. Because the minute that their eyes had locked, he brought her lips to his once more.

"Thank you for giving me a chance."

Brandon murmured against the swell of her cheek. He pulled away and watched her with soft eyes.

"Date night?"

He asked, hope present in his voice.

"Date night."

She confirmed, a twinkle in her eyes. Together, they left Stella's house as they walked out hand-in-hand. When Brandon offered to open his car door, Stella didn't refuse. She took her seat and then waited patiently for Brandon to enter his car. When he too was seated, he reached over with one hand and held hers in his as they both began their journey.

Date night with Brandon Stone.

What more could a girl wish for?