Spring...
When the wind blew gently through the pink cherry blossoms.
The petals scattered through a lively park, all the way to the streets. Like a fairy dancing on the wind.
It was the start of a new season a spring where the world shifted from gray to soft hues of pink.
From deep sleep... to a new beginning.
That night... a beautiful girl stood by the window of a cozy coffee shop.
Her reflection shimmered in the glass elegant, still, almost like a painting.
Her onyx curls hair were softly pinned to her side, and a pastel pink gown hugged her gently.
In her hands, a small book kept her company and a warm cup of coffee.
Her name is Leyla Delune.
She stood there, as she always did.
"I always end up here after work."
She whispered to herself, watching the world pass by.
The sound of the city. And the song playing in the café. Harmony.
The street buzzed with life car lights, footsteps, laughter the fading edge of day.
Yes, she was a city girl.
But her eyes... were always searching.
"Sometimes, I don't even know what I'm looking for,"
Leyla murmured, her voice barely louder than the hum of the café.
"Yet my heart keeps searching... for something."
Something unknown.
Something lost.
Something she couldn't name.
Then a barista approached her.
"We're almost closed. Can we get you anything?"
Leyla slowly turned to her and apologized.
She picked up her bag, thanked her, and left the shop.
It was almost past hour.
Mostly the street was empty. Sometimes she would wonder,
"When I look at the empty street, I feel sad... lonely..."
"I don't know why. It's like I'm missing something. Or someone..."
But there's never an answer.
Ding... the elevator sounded.
Level 25. She walked out... went to her door.
As always, her apartment was quite an ordinary place.
Cozy. Homely. But empty.
"I better get a shower, then sleep."
The next morning.
Before the sun peeked through her window.
Alarm rang. 07:00 a.m.
"Another working day,"
She thought, letting out a small stretch.
Slowly, she got up to get ready.
The day passed like any other.
At night after work,
She found herself at the café again.
Same time. Same table. Same place.
Her elbow rested on the wooden surface,
hands cupping her cheeks as she read her book.
The smell of coffee beside her... calm.
Yet this time...
The music playing was different.
A soft, melancholy tune drifted through the café.
Then from the corner of her eye she caught a figure.
A man.
Sitting alone at a table across the room, with just one cup of coffee.
His gaze... fixed on her.
Her eyes shifted to him for a single breath.
She saw.
His eyes...
A deep, burgundy shade.
His hair, tousled like shadows in the wind.
And pale skin, contrasting his black jacket.
There was something haunting in the way he sat, arms crossed... in the way he looked at her.
Her heart paused.
Then quickly, she turned back to her page.
But slowly... cautiously...
She peeked again.
He was gone.
"Where did he go?"
She wondered, scanning the room.
Then,
A low voice.
"Are you looking for me?"
It came from her right. A whisper. Gentle. Close.
She gasped, heart pounding.
She turned sharply.
"H-how...?"
He laughed. A soft, amused laugh.
"I've been watching you. But you never see me."
Her eyes widened.
"No way... I always thought this café was empty at this hour?"
Before he could say more, the barista walked over with a familiar smile.
"We're closing soon. Can I get you anything else?"
Leyla blinked.
She smiled at the barista politely.
"I'm sorry. I'll take my leave now."
She reached for her bag and stepped outside.
As usual. Yet now, it felt different.
Then she realized, "Where is he... who is he?"
Her mind buzzed with questions as she walked home under the quiet sky.
The next morning,
Something strange stirred inside her.
Excitement. "Will he be there again?"
So she dressed a bit more to impress.
She didn't just pin her hair.
Today she braided it to the side.
After work, she ran toward the café.
"Welcome," the barista greeted her as always.
"The usual?" She nodded.
But before she even sat down, her eyes scanned the room.
Hoping. Looking. Yet nothing.
No sign of him.
As always, the café was nearly empty at this hour.
She sighed deeply.
"What was I expecting?"
Her gaze fell to her reflection in the window, dim, lifeless.
"Today was tiring. But... every day is. This is my life...
Yet. I have none?"
And then.
In a blink of her eyes, she saw him again.
At the same spot. Staring at her.
This time, he smiled to her.
Their eyes met. As if he said,
"I've been waiting for you..."
But nothing came from his lips.
Yet she understood.
"My name... my name is Leyla. What's yours?"
"Lucian. Lucian A. Strade." Then a smile.
Warm. For the first time, she felt full. Complete as a person.
Then a barista's voice:
"We're closing for today. Can I get you anything?"
She stood up, thanked the barista,
And smiled at Lucian as she walked out.
Bright, hopeful, and filled with joy.
"I haven't felt like this for so long..."
Back to her room.
She dove onto her bed.
His smile lingered in her mind.
Still vivid. She could see it clearly.
She hugged a small pillow and said,
"Maybe... this is love."
So every time after work, she ran to the café just to see him.
And now, when she entered.
He was already there. Waiting for her. His coffee always cold. As if he never touch it.
His smile. His eyes, always soft, gazing into her.
Full of mystery. Full of words he had yet to say.
To be continued...