Unexpected Encounter

Following a busy afternoon of shopping, Adeline and Charlotte opted for a quick coffee at a local café. The air was filled with the warm hum of conversation, and the intimate atmosphere was a great conclusion to their day. Adeline had been in good spirits, discussing the dresses she'd purchased with Charlotte and how the one specifically—an elegant, deep red dress—was a daring choice for her.

As they were walking up to the counter, Adeline's gaze swept over the room. She came to a halt in her footsteps upon seeing him.

Elias sat at a table in the corner, his usual keen demeanor eased only by the serious discussion that he was having with some others. His back was slightly oriented away from the entrance, but his face continued to be impenetrable as ever, his concentration focused on the topic at hand.

Adeline stood there for a moment, the recent memory of their last encounter in the office fresh in her head. The gossip regarding his engagement had hardly abated, and now here he was, in public, surrounded by people, in a whole different setting.

Charlotte saw Adeline's frozen stance and followed her eyes.

"Isn't that. Elias?" Charlotte breathed, the name almost a question as if not quite sure.

Adeline nodded and attempted to conceal the faint surprise in her eyes. "Yeah."

Elias, however, swung around. He caught her gaze from across the room with that exact flash of awareness. His stance changed just slightly—slight, but enough to convey his identification.

Without missing a beat, he rose from his chair, excusing himself from the discussion. His movements were deliberate, intentional, and in no time, he was standing directly in front of her and Charlotte. His eyes rested on Adeline for a fraction of a second longer than they needed to.

Elias (in his typical low, steady tone): "Adeline. Charlotte."

Adeline provided a courteous smile, attempting to remain informal, even though the strange sensation in her chest. She stood up straight, with the pressure of his gaze.

Adeline: "Elias. Didn't expect to see you here."

Elias's gaze fell to her dress for a mere moment.

Elias (his voice nearly unreadable, but there was something faintly approving in his look): "It's. different."

The compliment—or maybe the low-key comment—was not lost on her. Charlotte arched an eyebrow but didn't say anything, just watching the exchange with a sly smile.

Adeline (trying not to laugh): "Well, I thought I'd try something different."

There was a slight, barely perceptible adjustment in Elias's attitude—his body language, the set of his jaw, as though he was selecting his next words with precision.

Elias: "It becomes you."

His words floated between them for an instant, Adeline unsure whether he was sincere, or hoping to be kind. Either way, his gaze stayed a heartbeat too long.

Charlotte, noticing the brief tension, broke the silence.

Charlotte (smiling): "I think we're interrupting something. We'll let you get back to whatever that meeting is."

Elias's gaze flickered to Charlotte, his attention shifting for a brief moment before returning to Adeline.

Elias: "I'll be heading out soon. Enjoy your coffee."

And just like that, he was turning back toward his colleagues, his figure receding into the space behind him, leaving behind an air of unspoken words.

Adeline observed him leave, a whirl of feelings surging up in her. There was something in the brevity of the encounter, in the softness of his eyes for that instant when he was talking to her, which caused her to question.

Charlotte (teasing): "That was fascinating. You two always so. intense?"

Adeline's smile faltered just short of her eyes as she resumed her seat. "Perhaps. It's complicated."

Charlotte, always observant, didn't push the point. Instead, she stirred her coffee contemplatively.

Charlotte: "Well, I guess he did notice your new look. That's a victory, huh?"

Adeline remained quiet for a beat longer than normal, feeling the awkwardness of that conversation weigh down on her chest.

Adeline (whispering to herself): "Yeah, I guess it is."