Chapter 2 - Love at first sight
1077 Words
20th century
As the elevator doors slid open, Eric's gaze was drawn to the woman who stepped inside. He couldn't help but notice her slender figure, her curves accentuated by the fitted glassy surface she was standing on. Her beauty was striking, and Eric felt a familiar stir within him. He was a man who appreciated women, but his admiration often got stuck in his head, unable to find its way out through his lips.
The elevator began its descent, and the two stood in awkward silence. Eric's eyes remained fixed on the woman, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't verbalize. He wanted to compliment her, to tell her how stunning she looked, but his words got stuck in his throat. He felt like a schoolboy caught staring at his crush, unsure of how to react.
The woman, seemingly oblivious to Eric's gaze, stood still, her eyes fixed on the elevator doors. Her expression was serene, her features delicate yet striking. Eric's eyes traced the curves of her face, her lips, her neck, and her shoulders. He was lost in the beauty of this stranger, unable to find his voice.
The silence between them grew thicker, like a palpable fog that filled the elevator. Eric's heart raced, his palms grew sweaty, and his mind went blank. He was frozen in admiration, unable to move or speak. The woman, still unaware of his gaze, remained still, her beauty captivating Eric like a work of art.
As the elevator continued its descent, Eric's thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of awkwardness. He knew he needed to say something, to break the silence, but his words remained trapped in his mind. The woman's beauty had left him speechless, a prisoner of his own admiration.
As they exited the elevator, the silence between them persisted, like a lingering shadow that followed them out into the bright sunlight. Aurora, the lady, headed towards the bus stop, her heels clicking on the pavement, while Eric made his way to the parking lot, his eyes fixed on the ground.
Eric's mind was a jumble of regrets, his thoughts replaying the elevator encounter like a missed opportunity on repeat. He had always struggled with initiating conversations with women, his introverted nature making it difficult for him to express himself. It was a pattern he had grown accustomed to, one that had cost him potential connections and relationships in the past.
He remembered his school days, how he would admire girls from afar, too afraid to approach them. He would rehearse conversations in his head, only to end up stuck in his own thoughts, unable to take the leap. It was as if his words were trapped in a mental prison, unable to escape.
Eric's self-reproach was a familiar companion, one that had haunted him for years. He would often wonder what could have been, if only he had spoken up, if only he had taken the chance. But the fear of rejection, of being misunderstood, had always held him back.
As he reached his car, Eric took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering regret. He told himself it was just another missed opportunity, one of many. But the memory of Aurora's beauty and grace lingered, a reminder of what could have been, if only he had found the courage to speak.
As Eric started his car, he noticed the dark clouds gathering above, threatening to unleash a downpour at any moment. He glanced in his rearview mirror, and his eyes widened in surprise as he spotted Aurora, the woman from the elevator, walking towards the bus stop. Fate seemed to be offering him a second chance, and Eric's heart raced with excitement.
He hesitated for a moment, his mind scrambling for a reason to approach her. The impending rain provided the perfect excuse. He could offer her a ride, ensure her safety, and maybe, just maybe, spark a conversation that would lead to something more.
Eric's hands trembled slightly as he put the car in gear and drove towards Aurora. He pulled up beside her, rolling down the window as she turned towards him. Their eyes met, and Eric's heart skipped a beat.
"Hey, do you need a ride?" Eric asked, trying to sound casual despite the nervousness building inside him. "It's about to rain, and I'm heading in the same direction as you."
Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sizing him up before responding. Eric's heart hung in the balance, hoping she wouldn't refuse his offer.
Aurora hesitated, her eyes scanning the empty street before reluctantly accepting Eric's offer. She slid into the passenger seat, her movements graceful despite her obvious discomfort. Eric's heart raced as he pulled away from the curb, the silence between them thick with unspoken thoughts.
Aurora's gaze drifted around the car's interior, her expression unreadable. Eric wondered if she was impressed by his vehicle, but her neutral tone suggested otherwise.
"Thanks for the ride," she said finally, her voice low and smooth.
Eric grasped for a conversation starter, his mind blanking on anything witty.
"I'm Eric,"
he said, his voice a little too eager. "What's your name..... please?"
Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly, as if debating whether to reveal her name.
"Aurora,"
she replied finally, her tone softening ever so slightly.
The conversation flowed haltingly, with Eric struggling to find common ground. Aurora's responses were brief, but she didn't seem overtly hostile. Eric sensed a hidden depth to her, a complexity he was eager to explore.
As they approached her destination, Eric felt a pang of disappointment. He didn't want the ride to end, didn't want to leave her presence just yet.
"Can I get your number?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
Aurora raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. But she relented, reciting her number as Eric punched it into his phone.
"Thanks for the ride, Eric," she said, her voice a little softer now.
As he pulled up to her house, Aurora's eyes narrowed. She wished he doesn't know where she lived to avoid stories. Well it is what it is. She couldn't do anything to make feel like that wasn't where she lives
Eric watched Aurora as she walked slowly to her house, admiring her body and beauty. He was happy he got to talk to her and even collected her number. What a progress he thought
Aurora's gaze lingered on him, her expression unreadable. "Thanks again, Eric," she said finally, her voice neutral.
- Writer
