Fallen From Grace

Our encounter

Lily's POV

Days past and the feeling of being watched only grew. Whenever I turned around though, the feeling stopped. It was almost like the person had just mysteriously vanished. I tried to bring it up to Mike but whenever I started to tell him, we always got interrupted since we were working. I hadn't actually seen him outside of work so I didn't have another opportunity to tell him. I eventually gave up, telling myself that I was most likely being paranoid and at least the world was stopping me from unnecessarily worrying him. I knew that he would take it seriously and wouldn't stop until he found the person. But that was the problem...I wasn't sure if there would be a person to find. 

I let myself get distracted by my thoughts while cleaning up for the night until I was disturbed by the sound of the door opening. Great, the customer couldn't read the prominently displayed 'CLOSED' sign apparently. I started to speak before I had fully turned around to face them. 

"Sorry, we're closed for the-". I felt my breathe leave me as shock consumed my entire body. My jaw stayed open as my mind raced. Was I dreaming? Was it really him? Why was he here? I hoped he recognised me. It took me a moment to notice his amused features on his face, most likely from the fact that I stopped speaking mid sentence. I quickly composed myself before I spoke again. 

"Sorry but we are closed for the night. Is there anything I can help you with?". I tried to remain professional, unsure if he even remembered our brief encounters. He slowly stalked towards me like a predator and I felt my entire body go on alert. 

"Do you remember me?" His voice was barely a whisper but his words travelled in the air, so gently and soothing. He had stopped a few steps away from me, uncertainty slightly tinging his features. I watched as he waited patiently for my answer while studying me. He knew who I was! I couldn't believe this was happening. I finally had a chance to speak to him. I just had to make sure that I didn't screw it up again. 

I nodded my head as I spoke. "Yes, I do." After a brief moment of silence between us, I spoke up again. I had to break his gaze on me or I feared that I would melt instantly from the intensity and heat. "Why are you here?"

He slowly continued his way towards me ever so silently, focusing more on my features than on my question. I felt overwhelmed and looked anywhere but him. I focused intently on the floor, willing my nerves to calm down. No matter how much I tried to look away, I could still feel his presence around me. As he reached me, I felt my breath hitch. His presence was powerful and I struggled to cope. Gently, he placed two fingers under my chin and lifted my gaze up to reach his. I noticed that today the blue was more clear in his eyes, there was even a faint circle of yellow around his pupils. While I was staring he placed his other hand on my cheek and I couldn't help but lean into his touch, it was electrifying. The heat radiated off of his hands and I missed it when he took a step backwards. 

He cleared his throat before he proceeded. "I was in the area and I happened to see you through the window." he spoke nonchalantly, like we didn't just share an intimate moment. "I hope that is okay. I didn't mean to impose".

"No it's okay. I was just finishing cleaning up before I closed up." he nodded in response to my reply which was followed by another short silence. There was so much I had wanted to ask him but right now I struggled to form sentences. I didn't know what to say but I knew that I had wanted him to stay. I couldn't risk losing him again. 

"You can sit down if you want. I've just got to lock up in a bit and then we can talk if that's okay" I smiled and hoped he would accept. 

"I'm sorry, I cannot tonight." I felt my heart drop as he spoke those words and the disappointment started to creep in. "Perhaps we can meet up for a coffee tomorrow. I have some business to attend to tonight". He wanted to meet up! I tried not to let the excitement become too noticeable as I replied. 

"That would be great. Let me give you my number". I quickly found some paper and a pen in my apron and jotted it down for him before he wrote his down for me. 

"I'll see you tomorrow then. It was nice talking to you." he spoke as he was headed towards the door. I watched his retreating figure before I suddenly shouted out to him. 

"Wait!" he stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at me. "I never got your name". My voice came out quiet and shy as I realised I would only know his name on our third encounter. 

A smile dressed his face as he softly replied, "Caleb". 

I reciprocated his features as I replied. "It's been nice to meet you Caleb. I'm Lily". 

"Lily" he faintly repeated and I felt a shiver go down my spine as I heard my name on his lips. The sensation made my heart race in anticipation and soon my mind was occupied in thoughts about his touch. His voice quickly broke me out of that though. 

"Well it was a pleasure to meet you Lily, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow"

"I'll see you tomorrow Caleb". With that, he left the restaurant and my mind was flooded with excitement for tomorrow as I took in our encounter. His name was Caleb. The man of my dreams. And I was going to meet him again!

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Caleb's POV

I left the restaurant with a sense of accomplishment. Her name was Lily and she was every bit as beautiful as I remembered her. I was glad that everything went okay. I had been watching her as I usually did when I had the overwhelming urge to speak to her. Next thing I knew, I had walked through the door and was met with her shocked face. I chuckled inside as I recounted what had happened, trying to sear her features into my mind. 

I was glad that he wasn't with her today. I tried to reign in my jealousy as I thought about the way they were around each other. Soon that would be us and he would be nowhere to be seen. All I had to do for now was find out what she was and then I could plan my next step. She has to be valuable and I wasn't going to ruin this opportunity. It had to go well.