Alex had been dazed from the moment they left the wedding until the bus dropped them off near home. Her mind replayed every second — his calm voice, that polite smile, and most of all, the brief handshake that sent something electric through her chest.
Clara noticed her sister's distant expression and smirked knowingly. "She's gone," she murmured under her breath, deciding to leave Alex alone once they got home.
Not long after, Clara's phone rang.
"Tom!" she exclaimed with joy after picking up. He was calling to say he'd finished his business trip earlier than expected and would be back home that night.
Excited, Clara went straight to the kitchen to prepare his favorite meal, exhaustion forgotten.
Meanwhile, in her room, Alex lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, her heart still fluttering uncontrollably.
I felt a spark after that handshake… Oh my God, why is my heart beating so fast? Am I sick or something? she thought, pressing a hand to her chest.
Then she suddenly sat up. "Oh no! I forgot to ask for his number!" she shouted, startling herself.
From the kitchen, Clara's amused voice rang out. "Alex, I just got a call from Tom — he'll be back soon. So get yourself together! And you must gist me about this Muiz guy!"
Alex rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Big sis and her teasing," before flopping back onto her bed. She needed sleep — tomorrow was Sunday, and they were attending church early.
~~~
A Few Weeks Later
"Mia, I think I'm sick," Alex said dramatically, slumping her shoulders as they walked home from fashion school. "Every time I think about him, my heart skips a beat."
Mia looked at her, grinning. "You're not sick, Alex. You're in love. Trust me, I know what that feels like."
Alex frowned. "In love? No, that's not possible."
"Possible or not, it's written all over your face. And with how you described him, I bet he's handsome too," Mia teased, nudging her shoulder.
Alex groaned, covering her face. "Mia, stop it."
"Alright, alright," Mia said with a laugh. "Come on, let's get those pastries to cheer you up. You need sugar in your system."
~~~
Elsewhere...
A tall young man was strolling through a supermarket aisle, picking items off the shelves. It was Muiz. If Alex had been there, she would've been shocked — the very man she couldn't stop thinking about was only a few aisles away.
As he reached for a drink, he heard a familiar voice.
"Yummy! These pastries will be the cause of my death," Mia said dramatically, eyes closed in pure bliss.
"And I pray I won't be the witness to your ridiculous death," Alex replied, playfully raising a bottle of water to threaten her.
Muiz froze mid-step, a slow smile spreading across his face. That voice… it can't be. He turned, and there she was — Alexandra, laughing with her friend, her hair tucked neatly under a scarf, her eyes bright.
"Alex?" he said gently, stepping forward.
Alex turned — and froze. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stop.
"Hello, Alex. How are you doing?" Muiz said with a warm smile that made her pulse quicken.
Mia's grin widened instantly. "I'll just… be on my way now. See you at the fashion house tomorrow," she said, winking at Alex before disappearing like the smart friend she was.
"Uh… hi," Alex said, cheeks reddening. "I'm fine, just surprised to see you. I thought you lived on the other side of Alagna."
Muiz chuckled. "I do. But I'm handling a gig around here — a birthday party."
Alex snapped her fingers. "Right! You told me you're a DJ."
Their conversation flowed easily as they walked toward Clara's canteen. For some reason, it felt natural, as if no time had passed at all.
When they reached the canteen, Muiz turned to her, hesitating slightly.
"It was really nice seeing you again, Alex. Would it be alright if I got your number?"
Alex smiled shyly. "I don't have my own phone… but you can give me yours. I'll call you through my sister's number."
"That works for me," Muiz said, quickly scribbling his digits on a piece of paper and handing it to her.
"I'll call you," Alex said softly.
He smiled. "I'll be waiting. It was really nice meeting you again, Alex."
And with that, he walked away — leaving her heart racing all over again.