An Unexpected Meeting
897 Words
Arielle, or Elle as her close friends called her, lived by lists.
They kept her calm and focused. That morning, she sat on her bed with a pen and notebook, writing everything she needed to do before nightfall.
Laundry.
Reply emails.
The date.
She stared at the last line for a second, then closed the book.
She had been single most of her life, not because she could not love, but because she never rushed into things. School came first, then university, now work. Feelings were serious to her, and she treated them that way.
Since graduation, her parents had not stopped reminding her.
“Just be open,” her mother always said.
So today, she was being open.
She showered, dressed, and chose a black dress, simple and clean. It made her feel comfortable in her own skin. She wore light perfume, vanilla with a hint of lilies, applied soft lipstick, let her hair fall loosely, and picked up her bag.
The coffee shop was her first stop.
She liked it because it was calm and familiar. Wooden tables, soft music, the smell of coffee and cake. The plan was simple: get a drink, wait for her date, and leave together.
When she walked in, her eyes scanned the room.
She saw him immediately.
He sat near the window in a navy blue suit, sharp and composed. A bottle of water and empty glass sat in front of him. A Poedagar watch rested on his wrist. Simple, yet striking.
That had to be him.
She walked over.
“Hi,” she said. “Sorry I’m late.”
He looked up.
Brown eyes met blue.
For a brief moment, Jay noticed everything: her beauty, the way the dress fit, her quiet confidence, her loose waves, and the soft scent of lilies and vanilla. It reminded him of his mother.
“It’s fine,” he said, passing her the menu. “Would you like to order anything?”
Before she could respond, the waiter arrived.
“Just a vanilla latte,” she said. “No food.”
Jay nodded. That was different. Most women ordered like they had not eaten all day.
As they talked, the waiter returned with her drink and a slice of cake Jay had already ordered. He paid immediately.
They spoke about simple things, like her day and her family. She laughed easily. She was not trying to impress him. Not seeking attention.
Jay listened.
He still did not believe in love, but he noticed she was different.
Then his phone buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He stiffened.
Mark never called like that.
He remembered Mark had gone to see his mother, Lydia, that morning. Something felt wrong.
“I’m sorry,” he said, standing. “I have to leave.”
She looked surprised. “Oh. Okay.”
He reached into his pocket, scribbled a number on a receipt, and placed it on the table before leaving quickly.
He did not realize his gold credit card was still inside the bill folder.
Jackson Green A.
Arielle noticed it moments later.
Gold.
She frowned and picked it up.
“So he isn’t my date,” she murmured. “Who is this guy?”
She took the card and left.
At home, she told her parents everything.
Her mother smiled. “Elle, you liked him.”
“I didn’t,” Arielle said quickly. “He just ran out.”
Still, that night she lay in bed confused, yet smiling. She had not planned to call him, but now she knew she had to return the card.
At the hospital, Jay walked into his mother’s room.
Lydia sat up, calm but weak. Mark stood and quietly left to give them space.
“Are you okay?” Jay asked.
“I just wanted to see you,” she said softly.
“You’re always busy,” she added.
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “I’m here now.”
He hugged her, helped her lie down, and gently rubbed her hair until she fell asleep. He covered her and pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaving.
He truly wished she would recover. Lately, her health weighed heavily on him.
Outside, he met Mark.
“Make sure she’s fed properly and comfortable,” Jay said. “Any change, I want to know immediately.”
“Understood,” Mark replied.
It was still 2 p.m.
In the office, Daria met him.
“The board finalized the candidates,” she said. “Interviews are tomorrow.”
He nodded.
Later, he attended a meeting about a new product launch, signing documents and asking questions, but his mind drifted back to her.
By evening, he went home.
His phone rang, an unknown number.
He almost ignored it but answered anyway.
“Hello.”
“Hi,” a voice said.
He recognized it instantly.
“I’m Elle,” she said. “The lady you met earlier. You left your credit card.”
He exhaled. He had not even gotten her name.
“Thank you,” he said. “Can we meet tomorrow so I can collect it?”
They agreed.
When the call ended, Arielle sat smiling, confused.
Jay stared at the ceiling.
How different could she be?
He picked up his phone and called someone he trusted.
“I need a simple contract drafted,” he said. “Short term. No publicity.”
- Writer
