They Met Again
— "There is something, I can see beautiful in your eyes."
Lady Bellaruby chimed in as they both sat on the balcony at noon, each holding a cup of coffee.
Their minds bubbled with jokes, laughter waiting to be shared. When Lady Bellaruby paused, Serene, expecting a humorous remark, asked,
— "What, Bella?"
Lady Bellaruby, suppressing her laughter, replied,
— "My reflection!"
This triggered a fit of uncontrollable laughter, lasting an incredible ten minutes.
Their laughter echoed hauntingly, like ghostly mirth, blending with the ambient city sounds. As their laughter subsided, Lady Bellaruby asked,
— "By the way, how was your night yesterday, darling?"
— "It was great, Bella. Not usual, but something amazing. But I have to tell you something. I might be not available in the house from 4 PM to farther time."
Serene replied.
— "Hm? Why? Where are you going? Friends outing?"
Lady Bellaruby asked, curiosity piqued. Serene placed her coffee cup on the table, nervously brushing her hair back as she hesitated.
She was unsure about mentioning Killian, uncertain of Lady Bellaruby's reaction since she had never gone out with a man before.
— "Actually Bella, I will go to visit a museum today with..."
— "With?"
Lady Bellaruby urged.
— "With actually I can't say. The matter is a little difficult to make you understand. Although all I can say is, that is a man. Who came to the Netherlands from France on his girlfriend's recommendation. But somehow they broke up but still he came here to visit the city, his girlfriend liked Amsterdam very much. And now I just want to give him a visit of the city."
Lady Bellaruby took a sip from her cup, watching Serene's awkwardness. She replied gently but firmly,
— "Okay, enjoy and give him a good visit of our country. But remember, don't make himself fall for you. It will make things worse."
Serene was momentarily stunned. She didn't understand why Lady Bellaruby thought Killian might fall for her.
— "Bella, don't be ridiculous! How can he fall for me?"
She protested. Lady Bellaruby calmly countered,
— "How can't he?"
Serene, puzzled, argued,
— "He came here just for his lover and you are saying if he will spend time with me, he will fall for me? How can he fall for me even?"
Lady Bellaruby clarified,
— "I am not saying he will for you. But I am saying that perhaps it can happen too."
This left Serene speechless, grappling with the idea. She slowly stood up, feeling a mix of confusion and something she couldn't quite identify.
Lady Bellaruby didn't stop her, knowing that Serene needed time to process her comment.
Lady Bellaruby sat back, enjoying the view of Amsterdam with a calm heart, reflecting on her own experiences and understanding the unpredictability of love.
She believed love could happen at any time, to anyone, without any preordained timing or predictability.
Meanwhile, Serene prepared for her museum visit. She chose a light baby blue off-shoulder dress that showcased her white collarbone and flowed gracefully to just below her knees.
She wore small, comfortable earrings gifted by Lady Bellaruby, applied a touch of eyeshadow, mascara, and lip balm, and took a small purse.
Serene's mermaid dress was a captivating ensemble that seemed to embody the essence of elegance and grace.
Its soft baby blue hue evoked a sense of serenity, reminiscent of tranquil waters on a clear summer day.
The off-shoulder neckline added a touch of allure, framing Serene's collarbone and shoulders with a subtle yet alluring elegance.
With her black hair cascading down her back, the contrast between the dark locks and the ethereal blue of the dress created a striking visual harmony.
Though adorned with minimal jewelry, Serene's ensemble exuded understated sophistication.
A pair of small earrings, a gift from Lady Bellaruby, added a hint of sparkle without overshadowing the dress's timeless charm.
Serene puzzled over why she had invited Killian to the museum. Despite his apparent annoyance with her cafe ideas and their tense first encounter, he had agreed.
As she prepared to leave, she decided to wear heels for the first time, hoping to make her interactions with the tall Killian more comfortable.
Lady Bellaruby observed everything with a knowing smile, understanding the potential for unexpected developments.
She saw Serene choose her heels and smiled even wider, sensing that something significant might be on the horizon.
Whether it would happen or not, the anticipation of possibility filled the air as Serene prepared to step out into a day that held unknown promise.
Lady Bellaruby watched Serene until she faded from view, a wistful smile playing on her lips. She knew Serene was stepping into something new and uncertain.
Locking the door behind her, she turned and caught a glimpse of the clock, which read 3:58 PM. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room, filling it with a warm, golden light.
Meanwhile, Serene, who had rarely worn heels in her life, felt a mixture of anticipation and unease.
The white, three-inch heels she wore today were elegant but unfamiliar, creating a slight discomfort with each step.
She remembered only wearing heels for special occasions back in school, not as part of her daily life. Today, however, was different.
As she walked, the summer wind in Amsterdam blew hot and spicy, typical for this time of year.
Despite its warmth, the wind provided a slight respite, cooling her skin just enough to keep her from overheating.
Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythm quickening with every step that brought her closer to the café where she would meet Killian.
Serene approached the café, her eyes fell upon Killian, who stood waiting.
He looked more striking than he had the previous day, dressed in a white shirt and a simple black coat, paired with black trousers and shoes. The contrast of his attire against the summer backdrop made him stand out.
She couldn't help but wonder how he managed to endure the afternoon heat in such clothes or whether it was her own rising temperature that made her so acutely aware of it.
Killian stood tall and composed, his face set in a serious expression, exuding an air of confidence and control. Under her breath, she murmured,
"Drop-dead handsome!"
Unable to contain her admiration. As Serene continued her approach, Killian, who had been looking straight ahead, finally noticed her.
His gaze locked onto her, and for a moment, he was captivated by her appearance.
She looked stunning in her mermaid dress, the light blue fabric flowing around her with each step, accentuating her grace and beauty.
Her dark hair, caught by the wind, framed her face in a way that seemed almost magical.
In that instant, Killian saw her not just as a café owner but as a figure of enchanting beauty.
Goddess beauteous- Serene
Their eyes met, creating a connection that seemed to transcend the ordinary. Serene's heart skipped a beat as she felt the intensity of his gaze.
The wind continued to play with her hair and dress, making her feel both exposed and elevated by the natural elements. As she finally reached him, she mustered a smile and greeted him,
— "Good afternoon, Mr. Killian! I hope you haven't been waiting too long."
Killian, breaking his gaze to look away momentarily, responded in his deep, husky voice,
— "That's alright. Where will we go now?"
His tone was calm and steady, but underneath, he felt an unexpected thrill at the prospect of spending more time with her.
Serene glanced around, spotting a taxi approaching. She decided to sit in the front seat, hoping to avoid any discomfort for Killian.
She didn't want to impose or create any awkwardness. Killian, observing her choice, followed suit without any visible reaction, taking a seat in the back.
As they settled into the taxi, both felt a strange tension, an unspoken and unfamiliar emotion hanging in the air.
The city of Amsterdam, with its winding canals and historic charm, awaited them, offering a backdrop to whatever might unfold.
Both Serene and Killian sensed that their encounter was leading them into uncharted territory, a journey that could change them in ways they had yet to comprehend.