His cold gaze struck an unease feeling in her, it took Lydia a minute to get a hold of herself, a familiar voice brought her back to reality. “Hey, what would you like to order?” said the waitress.
Lydia blinked, focusing on the menu she'd been staring at for minutes. “Just a coffee, please,” she said quickly, hoping to escape the intensity of his stare. The waitress nodded and left, and Lydia couldn't help but sneak another peek at him.
He was typing away on his phone, his face illuminated by the screen's glow. But as if sensing her gaze, he looked up, locking eyes with her once more. Lydia's heart skipped a beat. There was something... familiar about him. But before she could place it, he spoke, his voice low and smooth, “Just coffee, please.”
The waitress returned with his coffee, and he added a single sugar, his movements economical and precise. When he looked up again, his gaze landed on her, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. “Lydia,” he said, his voice low and rough.
Lydia's eyes widened. How did he know her name? She hadn't told anyone she was coming here today. And yet, the way he said it... it sent a shiver down her spine. She felt a sense of déjà vu wash over her, as if she'd heard her name on his lips before. But when?
He pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the floor, and stood up. “Shall we talk, Lydia?” he said, his eyes glinting with an intensity that made her heart race.
Lydia hesitated, unsure what to do. Part of her wanted to run, to escape the strange, unsettling feeling he evoked. But another part was curious, drawn to the mystery surrounding him.
“Okay,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, and walked towards her. Lydia's heart pounded as he sat down across from her, his eyes never leaving hers.
“It's been a long time, Lydia,” he said, his voice low and husky.
Lydia's mind reeled. What did he mean? How did he know her? She searched his face, trying to place him, but his features seemed to shift and blur, like a reflection in rippling water.
“I... I don't remember you,” she said finally, feeling a pang of embarrassment.
He chuckled, a low, throaty sound. “You don't, do you?” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “That's okay. You will.”
Lydia's skin pricked with unease. What was he talking about? And why did she feel like she was being drawn into a web of secrets and lies?
“Who are you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “I'm someone you've known for a very long time, Lydia,” he said, his voice dripping with mystery. “Someone who's been waiting for you.”
Lydia's heart skipped a beat. Waiting for her? What did he mean? And why did she feel like she'd heard those words before, in a different life, a different time?
As she looked into his eyes, she felt a jolt of recognition, like a spark of electricity running through her veins. And suddenly, fragments of memories began to surface, like bubbles rising to the surface of a long-stagnant pond.
A forest, dark and foreboding, with trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. A figure, tall and imposing, with eyes that glowed like embers. A voice, low and husky, whispering her name...
Lydia's breath caught as the memories flooded back, a tidal wave of emotions and images crashing over her. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she stared at him, her eyes wide with shock.
“Ethan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He smiled, his eyes cr crling at the corners. “Hello, Lydia,” he said, his voice low and gentle. “Welcome back.”
As she stared at him, the memories flooding back, Lydia felt a sense of coming home, of finding a part of herself she'd been missing. But she also felt a sense of unease, of uncertainty. What had happened in her past? And what did Ethan want from her now?
“What's going on?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “We're just getting started, Lydia,” he said, his voice low and husky. “We're just getting started.” 😊
