It was just a dream. A dream that turned my world upside down. After I closed my eyes, I found myself standing on a bluff. The rocky cliff below me dropped sharply to a choppy ocean. High waves crashed against the rough surface. Behind me were rolling hills of the greenest grass and wildflowers as far as the eye could see. The scent of the sea and the flowers carried by a gentle breeze entered my nostrils. Screeching seagulls hovered on the wind above my head.

What drove me to this endpoint? What compelled me to visit this exact location? I do not know why. My subconscious mind brought me to these white cliffs with its spectacular surroundings. Both terrified and delighted, I stood at the edge. It scared the hell out of me, yet I couldn’t look away!

A hand on my shoulder made me stagger. The same hand prevented me from falling. I turned around and stood face-to-face with my dream prince! A well-built man with broad shoulders. His expression was gentle and soft.

He wore a white shirt and black jeans. It was too good to be true!

My prince charming took my hand and looked me in the eyes. My heart melted. Unable to move or speak, I threw him a shy smile.

“Thank you for joining me,” he spoke in a deep, warm voice. “I’m so glad you came.”

“Who are you? And why am I here?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Does it matter? You are here with me, and that’s what’s most important right now.”

He pulled me closer to his chest. My heart raced, and my strength failed me. Before I knew it, he swept me off my feet. We hovered away from the cliff top, gliding over the rough ocean waves, holding hands. Was it for real? Maybe he was Superman? What happened next took my breath away.

I felt his lips on mine, soft and warm. I closed my eyes. The kiss lasted forever. It was intoxicating! When I opened my eyes again, I was shocked to see my handsome prince changed into my next-door neighbor – the one person my heart longed for but my mind rejected. I blinked, hoping the image would disappear. But, no, he was still there, looking at me with the same gentle eyes. My brain worked overtime, trying to make sense of it all.

I backed away, stumbled, and nosedived over the edge. I plummeted downwards at high speed. This time, my prince did not come to the rescue. The ocean closed in on me with a terrifying speed. My scream jolted me awake. Confused, I sat up in bed, my heart still pounding. I realized I dozed off during the heat of the day. It had been a dream. Not just any dream, but one that would change my life.

A sudden knock on my door startled me. I got up, still shaken, and opened the door to find my next-door neighbor standing there, smiling at me. His appearance was attractive. It confused me even more.

“Fancy a drive into the country?” he asked. “The wildflowers near the white cliffs are spectacular this time of the year!”

I gazed at him in awe, my mind racing with the memory of the dream. “Yes, that would be lovely, thank you for asking,” I managed to answer.

As we headed out, I silently vowed to avoid standing too close to the edge of the cliffs.

My neighbor’s car was parked just outside, a sleek, classic convertible that seemed perfect for a countryside drive. The sun enlightened the late afternoon, making it even more inviting.

As I slid into the passenger seat, a mingling of excitement and nervousness took hold of me. We drove through the quiet streets of our neighborhood, soon leaving the town behind. We chatted, discovering shared interests and laughing at each other’s stories. The conversation flowed naturally, and I relaxed more with each passing mile. The scenery was breathtaking, with every turn revealing more natural beauty.

Eventually, we reached a secluded spot near the infamous white cliffs. He parked the car, and we got out to explore. The cliffs were just as stunning as during my dream, towering majestically over the now sparkling ocean below.

The wildflowers painted the landscape with vibrant red, yellow, and purple.

“Come, let’s view these beautiful surroundings further,” he suggested.

I hesitated to follow him along a narrow path that wound its way in between the rocky surface.

“Why are you so nervous?” he asked. “Nothing will happen as long as I am around,” he grinned. “Sorry, “I apologized. “It just reminds me of something.”

He took my hand and guided me. I walked carefully not to get too close to the edge. The sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs warned me of impending danger. He picked a wildflower and handed it to me with a smile, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of happiness.

As we stood at a safe distance from the edge, taking in the breathtaking view, I realized that this moment was even more magical than my dream. It was real, and it was happening right now. I glanced at him, and he met my gaze with a look of warmth and sincerity.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said softly, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.

He beamed and caressed my hand. “I’m glad you came, Marcia” he replied. “This place is special, but it’s even more special sharing it with you.”

We stood there for a while, simply enjoying the beauty of the moment and each other’s company. A comfortable silence settled between us. It was a day I would never forget - that marked the beginning of something astonishing.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he said, his voice soft but steady. He turned to me, his expression suddenly serious. I looked at him, curiosity and a hint of nervousness bubbling up inside me. “What is it, Richard?” I asked.

He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. “I’ve loved you for a long time,” he confessed. “Ever since we became neighbors, I’ve admired you from afar. I never dared to tell you, but today, being here with you, I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.”

His words took my breath away. I felt a rush of emotions—surprise, joy, and a deep sense of connection. “I… I don’t know what to say,” I stammered, my heart racing. My dream must have been a signal from my subconscious mind.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied, his smile gentle and reassuring. “I just wanted you to know how I feel. Being here with you today has been more than I ever hoped for.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling a warmth spread through me. “Thank you for telling me,” I said, my voice filled with emotion. “I always shared a deep connection with you, but I never realized it could be this.”

He smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. “I’m glad I finally told you,” he said. “No matter what happens, I’m just grateful to have you in my life.”

We stood there, hand in hand, looking out over the ocean. The moment felt perfect like a dream come true. As we watched the sun begin to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, I knew that this was just the beginning of a beautiful journey together.