The next few days He checked his phone constantly, waiting for a response, a sign, anything. Finally,
It was a spark.
They began to conversation through dm Elias, it was a revelation.
After a week of online exchanges, she suggested they meet for coffee.
The coffee shop buzzed with the energy of a Friday morning. Elias arrived early, meticulously dressed in his best jeans and a freshly laundered shirt. He'd spent an hour agonizing over his outfit, wanting to strike the perfect balance between casual and presentable. He felt like he was going on a first date, which, in a sense, he was.
He saw her as soon as she walked in. She was even more captivating in person than she was in her photos. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose waves, framing a face that radiated warmth and intelligence. She wore a simple dress that flattered her figure, and her smile was as dazzling as he'd imagined.
"Elias?" she asked, her voice melodic and inviting.
He stood up, his heart pounding. "Flora?"
They spent the next two hours talking, discovering shared interests in art, music, and literature. He found himself relaxing, his initial anxiety fading as he realized that Flora was just…Flora. A bright, intelligent, and genuinely kind person.
From that first coffee date, a pattern emerged. They met frequently, exploring local restaurants, attending art exhibitions, and taking long walks in the park. Elias found himself falling deeper and deeper in love. Flora was everything he'd imagined and more. She was witty, passionate, and insightful. She challenged him, inspired him, and made him feel alive in a way he never had before.
He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for her to realize he wasn't good enough, for her to lose interest. But she didn't. She seemed genuinely interested in him, in his thoughts, his dreams, his fears.