Whispers of Eternity

Chapter One A Chanced Encounter Victoria Hunter, popularly called Vicky, had always loved books. She spent most of her free time browsing through the shelves of her local bookstore, looking for new stories to immerse herself in. She was not very interested in dating, preferring the company of fictional characters to real people. She had never met anyone who shared her passion for literature, or who could understand her introverted personality. That changed one day, when she bumped into a stranger at the bookstore. She was holding a copy of her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, when she collided with someone who was also holding the same book. The books fell to the floor, and they both bent down to pick them up. "Sorry, I didn't see you there," the stranger said, handing her the book. He had a warm smile and a friendly voice. He was wearing a blue sweater and glasses, and had brown hair and eyes. Vicky felt a sudden flutter in her chest, and blushed. "It's okay, it was my fault too," she said, taking the book. She noticed that he had a bookmark with the same quote as hers: "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." They looked at each other, and realized that they had more in common than they thought. They started talking about the book, and found out that they had similar opinions and tastes. They moved on to other topics, and discovered that they had a lot of things to talk about. They laughed, joked, and exchanged phone numbers. They agreed to meet again, and maybe go to a movie or a coffee shop. Vicky felt a surge of happiness, and wondered if this was fate. She had never believed in love at first sight, but maybe there was something to it. She had met someone who understood her, who made her feel alive, who made her want to try new things. She had finally met someone who made her happy. Back at home... Vicky couldn't stop thinking about the handsome stranger she had met at the bookstore. He had introduced himself as Julius, and they had exchanged phone numbers after a brief but pleasant conversation. Vicky felt a spark between them, and she hoped he felt it too. She checked her phone every few minutes, hoping for a text or a call from him. She wondered if he would ask her out, or if she should make the first move. She was nervous and excited at the same time. She decided to text him first, and typed a simple message: "Hi, Julius. It's Vicky from the bookstore. I enjoyed meeting you today. How are you?" She hit send, and waited for his reply. She hoped he would respond soon, and that he would be interested in seeing her again. She didn't have to wait long. A few seconds later, her phone buzzed with a notification. She opened it, and saw his message: "Hi, Vicky. I'm glad you texted me. I had a great time talking to you too. I'm good, thanks. How about you?" Vicky smiled, and felt a surge of happiness. He had replied, and he seemed friendly and polite. She typed back: "I'm good too, thanks. Just relaxing at home. What are you up to?" She sent the message, and waited for his response. She wondered what he was doing, and if he was thinking about her as much as she was thinking about him. She received his reply soon after: "I'm just watching a movie at home. Nothing exciting. Do you like movies?" Vicky nodded, and typed: "Yes, I love movies. What are you watching?" She sent the message, and hoped he was watching something she liked too. She wanted to find out more about him, and his interests and hobbies. He replied: "I'm watching The Notebook. It's one of my favorite movies. Have you seen it?" Vicky gasped, and felt a wave of emotion. The Notebook was one of her favorite movies too. She loved the story of Noah and Allie, and how they had overcome all the obstacles to be together. She typed: "Yes, I have seen it. It's one of my favorites too. I love the story, and the actors. It's so romantic." She sent the message, and felt a connection with him. They had something in common, and she wondered if it was a sign. She hoped he would feel the same way. He replied: "Me too. It's such a beautiful movie. It always makes me cry. Do you cry when you watch it?" Vicky smiled, and typed: "Yes, I do. It's hard not to. It's so touching. Do you like other romantic movies?" She sent the message, and hoped he would say yes. She loved romantic movies, and she wanted to share them with him. He replied: "Yes, I do. I'm a sucker for romance. What are some of your other favorite romantic movies?" Vicky felt a rush of excitement. He liked romance too. She typed: "Some of my favorites are Titanic, The Fault in Our Stars, and La La Land. What about you?" She sent the message, and waited for his answer. She wondered if he liked the same movies as her, or if he had different preferences. He replied: "I like those movies too. They are all great. Some of my other favorites are Pretty Woman, The Princess Bride, and Love Actually. Do you know them?" Vicky nodded, and typed: "Yes, I know them. They are all classics. I love them too. You have a good taste in movies." She sent the message, and felt a compliment from him. He had a good taste in movies too. She typed: "Thank you. So do you. We have a lot in common. I like that." She sent the message, and hoped he would like that too. She wanted to get closer to him, and to find out if he felt the same attraction as her. He replied: "Me too. I like that a lot. You seem like a wonderful person. I want to get to know you better. Can I ask you something?" Vicky felt a surge of anticipation. He wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to ask her something. She typed: "Sure. You can ask me anything. What do you want to know?" She sent the message, and waited for his question. She wondered what he would ask her, and what he would say next. He replied: "I want to know if you would like to go out with me. I think you are amazing, and I want to see you again. Will you go on a date with me?" Vicky gasped, and felt a burst of joy. He had asked her out. He thought she was amazing. He wanted to see her again. She typed: "Yes, I would love to go out with you. I think you are amazing too. I want to see you again. When do you want to go?" She sent the message, and hoped he would say soon. She wanted to see him as soon as possible, and to spend more time with him. He replied: "How about tomorrow? I can pick you up at your place, and we can go to a nice restaurant. How does that sound?" Vicky smiled, and typed: "That sounds perfect. I can't wait. What time do you want to pick me up?" She sent the message, and hoped he would say soon. She wanted to see him as soon as possible, and to spend more time with him. He replied: "How about 7 pm? Is that okay with you?" Vicky nodded, and typed: "Yes, that's okay with me. I'll be ready. I'm looking forward to it." She sent the message, and felt a thrill of excitement. He was coming to pick her up tomorrow. They were going on a date. She was looking forward to it. He replied: "Me too. I'm so happy. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Lara." Vicky typed: "Good night, Julius. See you tomorrow." She sent the message, and felt a warm glow in her heart. She had met someone special. She had a date tomorrow. She was happy. She put her phone down, and went to bed. She closed her eyes, and dreamed of him.