Chapter 2 Messages and Moments
The next morning, my phone buzzed while I was making breakfast.
It was him. My prince charming.
Hey, Olivia. It's William.
I felt a flutter in my stomach. I knew he'd text, but seeing it still made my chest jump.
I had a great time last night. Meeting you made the night wonderful.
I typed back quickly, trying to sound casual. Me too. The night was fantastic.
The conversation flowed easily, jokes, teasing, and I felt like I was on top of the world. But under it all, there was a current that made my stomach do little flips and my hands fidget.
By mid-afternoon, he suggested we meet for lunch.
I agreed, telling myself it was just lunch. Just a casual meeting. But as soon as I stepped into the small fancy restaurant he picked, my heart skipped. There he was, leaning casually near the wall, scanning the room, then smiling the moment our eyes met.
"Hey, my Olive," he said, then he pulled out the chair for me to sit. What a sweet gentleman I said to myself. Then he pulled out the other chair and sat across from me.
"Hey, William," I replied, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt.
We ordered, and the conversation drifted naturally.
"So… how are things at work?" Hope no one is stressing you? he asked, genuinely curious.
I laughed softly, a little surprised. Work has been hectic. I've been really busy. Very busy. You know, deadlines, client meetings… chaos sometimes. But I love it. Because it keeps me on my toes and pays my bills.
He nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. I handle a lot of projects, clients, and presentations. Keeps me moving."
I studied him, imagining the control it must take to manage so much. Yet here he was, calm, charming, making me laugh, staring calmly at me like I was the only thing that mattered.
"Where do you live again?" he asked after a sip of his coffee.
"Aldoria," I said. Did you forget? I asked "No I did not. I just love the way you say "Aldoria" . I find it cute. He said I felt my warm cheeks and I could not stop myself from blushing. Yes i live in Aldoria, I said it again since he loves hearing me say it. Not too far from here. I live alone… though I visit my parents once a month. My brothers are abroad."
"Wow," he said, raising an eyebrow. "I told you the first time we met right that I also live in Aldoria and it is only twenty minutes on foot from you. I'm an only child and live alone. My parents also live in another city.
I blinked, impressed. "That's… surprisingly close."
"Seems like fate, doesn't it?" he said, smiling softly.
The rest of lunch passed and we talked about the smallest things. We talked about work, complained about how unpredictable Mondays were, laughed about a song playing in the background, and somehow ended up teasing each other over who was worse at texting back. We had some good laughs, the kind that didn't need effort.the way he studied me, the way his attention never wavered, the little moments where our hands brushed just slightly, leaving a tingle in my skin.
By the end, the restaurant faded around us. It was just him and me, the subtle thread of connection tightening with every glance.
When we were done with lunch, we stepped outside together. I told him my car was still at the mechanic's, and without hesitation he offered to drive me home. It felt strangely intimate, walking toward his car side by side, like we'd already done this a hundred times.
The ride was easy. Not quiet, not forced. The city moved past us while soft music played in the background. At some point, a familiar song came on and without thinking I hummed along. He glanced at me, surprised.
"You like this song too?" he asked.
I laughed. "I love it."
He smiled and sang a line under his breath "We were just kids when we fell in love…"I could tell that he was just enjoying the moment. I joined in quietly, and for a few seconds it felt like nothing else mattered except what was happening inside the car, the song that shared a smile every little thing we did was perfect.
We talked about nothing and everything how traffic always worsened for no reason, how certain songs carried memories, how some days felt heavier than others without explanation. He teased me about how focused I got when I talked about work. I told him he had a habit of asking questions that made people open up without realizing it.
When we reached my place, neither of us rushed to get out. The engine was still running, the music low. He turned to me and asked softly, "Did you have a good time?"
I nodded. "I really did."
He smiled not the charming one everyone saw, but something calmer, more sincere. And as I stepped out of the car, I realized it wasn't just lunch anymore. It was the beginning of something that already felt warm, familiar… and a little dangerous.
Later, he texted me again, asking about my day. I found myself laughing at the screen, more than I expected.
Little by little, we were fitting into each other's lives. Lunch became a habit. Texts turned into late-night chats. Laughter grew louder, bolder, more intimate.
And even in all that, there was a tension, a whisper reminding me that not everything or everyone was as simple as they seemed.