She met Elias at the riverside again. The warm Brisbane night wrapped around them, lanterns glowing, the river shimmering under the city lights. Elias stood waiting near the railing, hands in his pockets, rocking slightly on his heels the way he always did when he was excited but trying not to show it too much.
When he saw her, his smile softened — warm, relieved, quietly thrilled.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
They walked slowly along the water, their hands brushing once, twice, before Elias gently intertwined their fingers. Selina didn’t pull away. She liked the steadiness of his touch — the way he held her hand like it was something precious, not fragile.
They found a quiet spot near the riverbank, where the lights reflected in long golden streaks across the water. Elias sat first, giving her space to choose how close she wanted to be. She sat beside him, close enough to feel his warmth.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elias turned toward her, his expression gentle but serious.
“I want to be clear about something,” he said. “I’m not here because I’m curious. I’m not here because I’m bored. I’m not here because I want something casual.”
Selina felt her breath catch — not in fear, but in anticipation.
Elias continued, voice low and steady.
“I’m here because I choose you. Not just the easy parts. Not just the calm parts. All of you.”
Selina felt something shift inside her — a quiet, powerful unlocking. She wasn’t used to being chosen. Not deliberately. Not openly. Not without conditions.
She looked at him — really looked — and saw the sincerity in his eyes, the steadiness in his posture, the warmth in his smile.
“I choose you too,” she said softly.
Elias exhaled, his shoulders relaxing, his smile blooming into something tender and bright.
He reached up — slow, careful — and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Selina didn’t flinch. She didn’t shrink. She let him.
It wasn’t a kiss. It wasn’t a rush. It wasn’t a leap.
It was a choice — quiet, mutual, real.
They sat together, hands intertwined, the warm night humming around them. No fear. No pressure. No doubt.
Just two people choosing each other.
At home, she cooked something that tasted like being chosen.
Something warm, rich, and comforting. Something that felt like a steady hand resting against her cheek. Something that matched the soft glow inside her.
She found beef mince, garlic, butter, herbs, and potatoes.
Perfect.
Tonight she would make Butter‑Herb Chosen Beef & Potatoes, a dish she’d invented during a week when she needed reassurance but now cooked because she had reassurance — real, warm, mutual reassurance.
As she browned the beef, she felt her thoughts settle. As the butter melted into a glossy sauce, she felt her chest loosen. As she plated the dish, she felt chosen — fully, quietly, beautifully chosen.
She sat at her table, took a slow bite, and smiled.
She wasn’t just known. She wasn’t just honest. She wasn’t just trusting.
She was chosen — and she chose back.
RECIPE — BUTTER‑HERB CHOSEN BEEF & POTATOES
Warm, rich, cheap, and perfect for nights when you let yourself be chosen.
Ingredients
250g beef mince
2 potatoes, chopped
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic (or garlic powder)
1 tsp mixed herbs
Salt & pepper
1 tbsp oil
Method
Pan‑fry potatoes in oil until golden and soft.
In another pan, brown beef mince.
Add butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Simmer until glossy and fragrant.
Toss potatoes through the butter‑herb beef.
Serve warm.
Notes
Costs around $6 for two servings.
Add peas or spinach for colour.
Tastes like steadiness, mutual choice, and quiet joy.
and then Add to home screen.