After a month of anxious preparation, I found myself contemplating my engagement with Elara. We had been on numerous dates, and I thought I knew her well, yet there were moments when a vast chasm seemed to separate us. She had a distant look in her eyes that spoke volumes, especially when I caught her glancing at Damon. A wave of uncertainty crashed over me—what was wrong with me? I sighed, my fingers drumming nervously against my phone. A meeting over coffee might clear my head.
As I stepped into the café, a warm, inviting atmosphere enveloped me.
"Hi there! Welcome! What can I get for you?"
Came the cheerful greeting from a striking redhead. Her hair, tied back, hinted at its length, and her golden eyes sparkled with a light of their own. Her voice flowed like silk, soft and melodic, and her smile radiated warmth, brightening the corner of the room.
"Um... could I see your menu?"
I stammered, taken aback by her charm.
She raised an eyebrow in mild confusion but nodded, collecting the menu and placing it in front of me, her movements graceful. As she leaned closer, a delightful waft of vanilla filled the air, tangling in my thoughts. What was I thinking? I was engaged.
"You must be new here?"
I ventured, desperate to keep the conversation going.
"Yes, I just started a month ago,"
She replied, her voice tinged with excitement.
I wanted to ask her more—many questions danced on the tip of my tongue—but I swallowed them back, feeling a strange mixture of curiosity and caution. Instead, I pointed toward a drink on the menu, unable to shake the feeling that there was something unspoken between us.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed, drawing my attention away. It was a message from one of my colleagues:
"Boss, we need to deal with those stubborn silent orders. They won't budge."
Unease prickled at my skin as I read it. I texted a quick "Okay," though the knot in my stomach tightened. What could possibly go wrong? Tomorrow marked my engagement, and I certainly couldn't afford to look dishevelled.
What could possibly go wrong? We've been diligently gathering intelligence about the overlord in hopes of sending him messages regarding his men. My father was cautious, unwilling to take action against the traditions of old; it would be a tragedy if all our efforts were squandered because of one reckless individual. However, the overlord is not some mindless tyrant; he is a man of principle, known for delivering justice to those who truly deserve it. We urgently need to reach out to him before it's too late.
Moments later, she returned with my coffee. As our fingers brushed against each other, an electric jolt surged through me, a spark that left me momentarily breathless. I met her gaze and felt an undeniable attraction, yet I quickly quashed it. I paid her more than enough, leaving a generous tip behind, and hurried out, vowing to myself that whatever this was had to come to an abrupt end.