Chapter Text
Frankfurt International Airport buzzed with the energy of travelers—families reuniting, solo adventurers hauling backpacks, and business professionals tapping furiously on their phones. Gigi adjusted her scarf, her oversized glasses slipping slightly down her nose as she took in the hustle of the terminal.
Her nerves hummed, not from the travel, but from stepping into unfamiliar territory. Germany was her first stop on a whirlwind book tour, one her publisher had insisted would boost her already successful career. As a writer who thrived on solitude, she rarely ventured out, let alone to another continent. But the call of adventure—and frankfurters—had lured her here.
She scanned the airport signs until one caught her eye: eSIM and Data Plans. Perfect.
The booth was tucked neatly between a souvenir store and a coffee stand, the sign above it glowing faintly. Gigi hesitated, pulling her suitcase closer. She had done her research; she knew the eSIM plans were solid. What she hadn’t expected was the woman standing behind the counter.
Cecilia. Her name tag says.
Her silver hair shimmered under the overhead lights. Her green eyes sparkled with warmth, a stark contrast to her professional attire, and when she smiled, it was as if the entire airport softened around her.
"Hallo! Can I help you?" Cecilia greeted, her melodic voice tinged with a light German accent.
Gigi froze for a moment, grappling with the sudden rush of nerves that had nothing to do with her upcoming trip. "I… yeah. Hi." She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "I need an eSIM. Unlimited data, if you have it?"
Cecilia’s smile widened, and she gestured for Gigi to come closer. "Of course. We have several options. How long are you staying in Germany?"
"A week," Gigi replied, then quickly added, "Maybe longer, if I like it here."
Cecilia nodded, tapping her tablet with quick precision. "Unlimited data for a week is perfect, then. It’s reliable—no slowdowns even if you stream or use maps often."
"That’s good to know," Gigi said, leaning on the counter. She wasn’t ready for the conversation to end. "Does it cover the countryside too? I might explore outside the city."
"Absolutely," Cecilia replied, her green eyes locking onto Gigi’s. "You won’t lose connection, no matter where you go. It’s one of the best services we offer."
Gigi nodded, biting her lip. "That’s… that’s great. Really great."
Cecilia’s smile turned slightly amused, as if she knew Gigi was stalling. Still, she indulged her. "Anything else I can help you with?"
"Actually, yeah," Gigi said, grasping for something to keep her there a moment longer. "How do you say ‘thank you’ in German?"
Cecilia leaned forward slightly, as if sharing a secret. "Danke schön."
Gigi repeated it, her pronunciation clumsy. "Dank… uh, danke schön?"
Cecilia giggled, a soft, musical sound that made Gigi’s heart flutter. "Sehr gut! That means ‘very good.’ You’re a fast learner."
Gigi smiled nervously, her face warm. She fumbled for her wallet, handing over her payment and her phone so that Cecilia can set it up. As Cecilia processed the transaction, Gigi found herself staring, captivated by the way the light caught the green in her eyes.
When Cecilia handed Gigi her phone back. "Enjoy your trip," Cecilia said, her voice gentle.
"Thanks," Gigi murmured, clutching her phone like it was a treasure. As she walked away, she glanced back one last time, catching Cecilia’s gaze. The soft curve of Cecilia’s smile lingered in her mind long after she left the airport.
The next week passed in a blur of panels, book signings, and sightseeing. Yet, no matter how stunning the architecture or how delicious the food, Gigi’s thoughts always drifted back to the airport. To her.
Cecilia’s laugh, the warmth in her gaze, the faint blush on her cheeks when she spoke. It was ridiculous, Gigi knew, to fixate on a stranger. But she couldn’t help herself.
Back in her house, Gigi sat at her desk, staring blankly at her laptop. The words she needed to write refused to come. Instead, her mind replayed their brief interaction, over and over, until an idea struck her—a reckless, impulsive idea.
She booked another flight to Germany.
The terminal was just as bustling as before, the steady rhythm of rolling suitcases and multilingual chatter filling the air. Gigi pulled her suitcase behind her, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. She didn’t even need to glance at the signs, her feet seemed to know the way to the eSIM booth by heart.
It had been two months since her first trip to Germany, and yet the memory of Cecilia hadn’t left her for a moment. That silver hair, the radiant smile, and those captivating green eyes—Gigi could still see them clearly whenever she closed her own.
As the booth came into view, Gigi felt her heart kick up its pace. Cecilia stood at the counter, chatting with a customer. Her hair was tied back loosely today, the green streaks more prominent under the bright overhead lights. She looked just as radiant as Gigi remembered, if not more so.
Gigi slowed her steps, giving the customer ahead of her time to finish their transaction. Her nerves buzzed, a mixture of anticipation and self-consciousness. Would Cecilia even remember her? Or was she just another face among countless travelers passing through the airport?
The customer left, and Cecilia glanced up. When her eyes landed on Gigi, her entire expression shifted.
"Hallo!" Cecilia greeted, her smile brightening in recognition. "You’re back!"
Gigi’s nerves unraveled at those two simple words. She smiled back, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yeah, I guess I am."
Cecilia rested her hands on the counter, tilting her head slightly. "Another trip? Or do you just like Germany that much?"
"Both," Gigi replied, chuckling nervously. "But I’ll admit, the data plans are a big draw."
Cecilia laughed, sounding warm and familiar. "I’m starting to think you’re one of our most loyal customers."
"Well," Gigi said, shrugging playfully, "you did sell me on the service pretty well last time."
Cecilia shook her head, clearly amused. "What can I help you with this time? Unlimited data again?"
"Yeah, let’s do that," Gigi said, handing over her phone.
Cecilia took it, her fingers brushing against Gigi’s for a brief moment. As she worked on setting up the plan, Gigi found herself watching her hands, noticing the way they moved with practiced ease. She thought about saying something to fill the silence but found herself tongue-tied.
"So," Cecilia said after a moment, glancing up, "how was your last trip? Did you enjoy Germany?"
"It was amazing," Gigi replied, her face lighting up. "The architecture, the food, the people—it was everything I hoped for." She hesitated, then added, "And honestly, meeting you was a highlight too."
Cecilia paused, her eyes widening slightly before a soft blush spread across her cheeks. She smiled, ducking her head slightly as if to hide it. "That’s sweet of you to say."
Gigi’s heart soared at the sight of Cecilia’s bashful smile. She hadn’t meant to say something so forward, but she didn’t regret it either.
When Cecilia handed her phone back, Gigi found herself hesitating. She didn’t want the conversation to end so soon.
"Hey," she blurted out, "I’ve been trying to learn some German since my last trip. Do you think you could teach me a phrase?"
Cecilia’s expression softened, her smile turning playful. "Of course. What kind of phrase do you want to learn?"
"Something useful," Gigi said, leaning on the counter. "Maybe asking for directions?"
Cecilia considered for a moment. "How about ‘Wo ist die nächste Bäckerei?’ It means ‘Where is the nearest bakery?’"
Gigi repeated the phrase, her pronunciation awkward but earnest. "Wo… ist… di nachsti… Bäkeri?"
Cecilia laughed. "Almost! But you’ll get there."
"Guess I’ll just have to keep practicing," Gigi said, grinning.
"I think you will," Cecilia said, her tone light but her eyes lingering on Gigi’s a moment longer than necessary.
As Gigi stepped away from the booth, her chest felt lighter, a warmth spreading through her that she hadn’t realized she’d been missing. On an impulse, she glanced back over her shoulder—and there was Cecilia, her eyes meeting Gigi’s with a faint smile that stayed on her lips just like the first time they parted.
Over the next few months, Gigi found excuses to return to Germany. A book signing. A "research trip." A vacation she hadn’t planned but suddenly needed. Each time, she visited the booth, her heart racing with anticipation.
Cecilia began to expect her visits, greeting her with a playful, "Hallo, Gigi," and occasionally offering her a tea or pastry from the nearby café.
"You remember my name?" Gigi asked one day, both surprised and delighted.
Cecilia shrugged, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "You’re hard to forget."
Gigi laughed, trying to ignore the way her heart flipped at the words.
The airport felt almost familiar now, its towering ceilings and bustling terminals a strange kind of comfort to Gigi. Her suitcase trailed behind her as she navigated the well-trodden path toward the eSIM booth.
Her pulse quickened as she spotted the booth from a distance. The silver-haired woman standing behind the counter wasn’t just another fleeting acquaintance anymore. Cecilia had become a constant, an anchor in a sea of unpredictability.
This time, Gigi wasn’t just here to see Cecilia—she had a plan.
Cecilia looked up as Gigi approached, her green eyes lighting up with recognition. A bright smile spread across her face. "Hallo, Gigi! You’re back again?"
Gigi grinned, trying to keep her nerves from showing. "Yeah. You know me—can’t resist your unbeatable service."
Cecilia leaned forward on the counter, her expression amused. "You know, you’re starting to make me wonder if you’re just here for the eSIMs."
Gigi’s laugh came out shakier than she intended. "Well, they’re part of it."
Cecilia tilted her head, studying Gigi in that thoughtful way that always made her heart race. "So, what can I help you with today? Another unlimited plan?"
"Sure," Gigi said quickly, though she hadn’t even thought about the data plan this time. She handed over her phone, her hands trembling slightly.
Cecilia noticed but didn’t comment. Instead, she worked her usual magic, her fingers dancing over the tablet as she prepared the plan.
"You know," Cecilia said, breaking the silence, "I think you’re my favorite customer."
Gigi blinked, her breath catching. "Really?"
Cecilia’s cheeks flushed faintly, the pink standing out against her pale complexion. "Yes. You always make my day more interesting. Most people just want their eSIM and leave."
Gigi chuckled nervously. "Well, I’m glad I can keep you entertained."
As Cecilia handed back her phone, Gigi took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage she had.
"Cecilia," she began, her voice trembling.
Cecilia looked up, her eyes locking onto Gigi’s. "Yes?"
"I need to tell you something," Gigi said, gripping her phone tightly. "I’ve been coming here—not just because of the data plans or my trips—but because of you."
Cecilia’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in surprise.
"I know it sounds ridiculous," Gigi continued, the words spilling out in a rush. "But I can’t stop thinking about you. Your smile, your laugh… the way you say my name. Every time I leave, I think about coming back. Not to Germany—just… to you."
The silence that followed felt endless. Gigi’s heart pounded as she watched Cecilia, her expression unreadable. Had she gone too far?
Then, slowly, Cecilia smiled—a soft, almost shy smile that made her green eyes shine.
"I was wondering when you’d say something," Cecilia said softly.
Gigi blinked, her breath catching. "You… you were?"
Cecilia nodded, stepping out from behind the counter. "Do you know how many times I’ve hoped you’d walk back through those doors? How many times I’ve thought about you, wondering if I’d ever see you again?"
Gigi’s chest felt like it might burst. "You mean that?"
"Of course," Cecilia said, her voice barely above a whisper. She reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Gigi’s face. "You’re unforgettable, Gigi."
Gigi laughed, a mix of relief and joy bubbling out of her. "Wow. I—I thought I was the only one feeling this."
"Definitely not," Cecilia said, her cheeks flushing a deeper pink.
For a moment, they simply stood there, the world around them fading into a blur of distant voices and rushing footsteps.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Gigi asked, her voice trembling but firm.
Cecilia’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling in excitement. "I’d love to."
That evening, Gigi waited at a restaurant near her hotel, her heart racing as she adjusted her scarf for the hundredth time. When Cecilia walked in, she took Gigi’s breath away. She’d traded her uniform for a simple yet elegant dress, her silver hair framing her face like a halo, making her look as if an angel had stepped down to walk the earth.
"Hi," Cecilia said softly as she approached the table.
"Hi," Gigi replied, unable to hide the awe in her voice.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, their laughter filling the cozy space. Gigi told Cecilia about her life as a writer, the isolation she often felt, and how meeting Cecilia had been a spark she didn’t know she needed.
Cecilia shared stories about her life in Germany, her passion for music, and her dream of opening a small bakery one day.
"You’d be amazing at that," Gigi said, her voice full of admiration.
Cecilia’s expression softened, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "You think so?"
"I know so," Gigi said, her heart full.
As the evening wound down, Gigi walked Cecilia back to her car. The air was crisp, the stars faintly visible above the city lights.
"Thank you for tonight," Cecilia said, her voice warm.
"Thank you," Gigi replied, her cheeks flushing.
For a moment, they stood there, the space between them charged with unspoken possibilities. Then, with a shy smile, Cecilia leaned in and kissed Gigi’s cheek.
"See you soon," Cecilia whispered before stepping into her car.
Under the soft glow of the city lights, Gigi stood still, watching Cecilia’s car disappear into the distance, she felt a quiet certainty settle in her chest. No matter where her career took her, no matter how far she traveled or how many stories she wrote, she knew one thing for sure—she would always find her way back to Germany. Back to the silver-haired woman with green eyes and a laugh that felt like home. Back to Cecilia.