Unexpected Reunion

Jane settled into her role as the marketing director for a thriving media firm in California, fully immersing herself in her work. The industry was demanding, and her days were filled with presentations, strategic meetings, and managing campaigns. Her hard work paid off as she quickly earned a reputation for herself.

However, outside the office, her life was just plain and normal. She kept a low profile, much like back in Dubai, with only one real friend—her roommate, Emily. Emily was a warm and kind woman who occasionally coaxed Jane out of her two-bedroom apartment for dinners or shopping on weekends. Jane found comfort in her quiet routine: driving to work, returning home, and occasionally catching up with Emily.

One afternoon at work, Michelle, her colleague, strolled up to her desk, her energy lighting up the space around her. "Hey, Jane! I am planning a dinner with my friends tonight; you should come!" she said excitedly. "It'll be so much fun." Her tone was as inviting as her smile.

She hesitated, as her routine was always to stay in her comfort zone. She opened her mouth to decline, but as she glanced up and saw Michelle's eager eyes, she gave in. "Alright." She smiled at her widely and sent her the location. "See you at 9." She said and sat at her desk. 

That evening, she put on her favorite black dress—the one with the low neckline and open back that made her feel bold, even if she didn't completely believe it herself. She paired it with simple black heels and a matching purse, sticking to her usual classic style. Colors felt too complicated to choose, and black always felt safe. She let out a small sigh as she checked her reflection in the mirror.

Her hair was the one thing she could always rely on to stand out. It was dark and slightly wavy, reaching down to the middle of her back. Tonight, she had straightened it a bit and styled it her usual way—half tied up, with soft curls framing her face while the rest hung loose. She wanted to look neat, confident, and maybe just a little daring.

While she got ready, her mind wandered to memories of college and office parties back in Dubai. People noticed her, but it was usually with quick comments like, "Oh, there's the quiet girl," or "Why does she keep to herself so much?" She didn't want to be remembered like that anymore. She didn't want to just blend into the background, known only to a small circle of friends.

Tonight, she wanted to change things, even just a little. Maybe this time, people would see her for who she really was, not just as the shy girl in the corner.

Jane stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. She took a shaky breath and tried to calm the racing of her heart. "You've got this," she whispered softly, as if saying it out loud would make it true.

After one last glance at herself, she grabbed her keys and headed out. As she drove to the restaurant, her thoughts were a jumble of excitement and anxiety. It was that strange, electric feeling—the kind you get when you just know something big is about to happen. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as she tried to focus on the road instead of the butterflies fluttering in her chest.

When she arrived, she spotted Michelle waiting outside, her usual warm smile already in place. Seeing her familiar face eased some of Jane's tension, and she felt a little more grounded.

"Wow, Jane. You look different," Michelle said, her eyes widening with surprise. The words made Jane's cheeks flush. She quickly looked down, brushing her hair back nervously. She knew Michelle was probably just being nice.

They settled in, ordered a round of drinks, and Michelle explained that her friend was running a bit late. The beer glasses clinked together with a satisfying sound, and as Jane and Michelle began talking about work, sharing a few easy laughs, Jane felt a comforting rhythm settle in. It was strange to be here, a little out of place even, but there was something oddly soothing about the casual atmosphere.

A few minutes later, the door swung open, the sudden movement drawing Jane's attention. Michelle jumped up from her seat, her face lighting up as she greeted her friends. Jane stayed seated, but her heart unexpectedly sped up, a strange flutter of nervous anticipation building in her chest.

And then, she heard it—a deep voice that seemed to echo in her ears, low and rich, sending an inexplicable shiver down her spine. Her stomach flipped, a reaction so sudden and overwhelming she couldn't quite explain it. She had never heard a voice like that before.

The man walked over, took a seat across from her, and their eyes met. It was he. Richard. Disbelief and excitement flooded through her all at once, and for a moment, it was as if time had stopped. The room, the noise, the people—they all blurred into the background. All she could focus on was his gaze, the way it held her so intently, igniting a spark within her. 

He smiled politely, extending his hand toward her. But she just sat there, frozen, staring at him, caught completely off guard. Her heart hammered in her chest. When he tilted his head slightly, waving his hand in front of her eyes, she blinked and took his hand with an awkward smile.

"Hi, Jane," he said in a deep voice, which made her stomach flutter.

"Hi," She managed to reply, her voice soft, barely a whisper. It all felt unreal, like she'd stepped right into a scene from a movie—the kind of moment you hope for but never think will actually happen.

Michelle introduced everyone, and Jane had to remind herself to breathe as she stumbled through the small talk, her mind still spinning. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her eyes kept wandering to Richard. Each time their gazes met, he smiled like he knew exactly what she was thinking. It made her heart race and her thoughts scatter.

The whole night felt surreal. Richard's laugh was warm and contagious, drawing her in, and that crooked smile of his—honestly, it felt like he could charm anyone with it. Jane couldn't help but feel like she was completely losing control, and with every smile, she wanted to laugh right along with him, even if she was too nervous to say much.

By the end of dinner, Jane could hardly believe she'd spent the whole evening with Richard—the same guy who had once filled her daydreams. As everyone started saying goodbye, Richard held her gaze for a second longer, and Jane's heart raced, caught up in the excitement of the moment. "See you around, Jane." His lips curled up in a seductive smile, or maybe she just imagined it. 

As the night ended, Jane couldn't stop smiling. On the drive home, she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel to a Taylor Swift song. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, she saw her cheeks were flushed pink from all the attention Richard had given her. She kept replaying every moment in her mind—the way his smile had made her heart skip, the sound of his laughter filling the room, the warmth of his handshake. It felt like a dream, one she wasn't ready to wake up from. This was the guy she used to imagine traveling across the world to find, and now he was right in front of her.

She almost didn't want to believe it was real, afraid it might slip away if she did. Meanwhile, Richard couldn't shake the feeling that Jane's face looked oddly familiar. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't place where he recognized her from. After a while, he shrugged it off, convincing himself it was just his mind playing tricks.

That night, sleep didn't come easily for Jane. Lying in bed, she kept replaying Richard's smile, and with each thought, a flutter of excitement grew in her chest—a feeling she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years.