Yesterday Without Time in the amazing life of Kali

Chapter 23. The moment of truth

Cole's heart raced as he pulled up to the curb outside Kali's House. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the city, and he could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He glanced at the rearview mirror, smoothing back his hair for the umpteenth time, as if

that would somehow calm the butterflies in his stomach. The Limousine gleamed under the streetlights, a stark contrast to his earlier worries about feeling out of place. This was it. He had made it this far; now all he had to do was pick up Kali and enjoy the evening. He stepped out of the limousine, the cool evening air brushing against his skin. With a deep breath, he approached the entrance of her house, his mind racing with thoughts of how to make a good impression. What would he say? How could he compliment her without coming off as overly eager or

insincere? Or sounding like a pig because the last thing he wanted was to ruin the night before it even began.As he reached the door, he hesitated for a moment, glancing at his watch. It was almost 6 PM. He had arrived a bit early, wanting to be punctual and show Kali that he valued her time.

He took another deep breath, steeling himself for the moment.

He pressed the buzzer, his finger lingering longer than

necessary as he felt the vibrations echo through his body.

A few moments later, the intercom crackled to life. “Hello?”

Kali’s voice came through, warm and inviting, sending a shiver

of anticipation down his spine. “It’s Cole,” he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’m here to pick you up for the event.” “Great! I’ll be down in just a minute!” she chirped, and he could almost hear her smile through the intercom. He stepped back, allowing himself a moment to gather his

thoughts. The anticipation was palpable; he could hardly believe he was about to see her. Memories of their conversations flashed through his mind her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about things she was passionate about. How she always cared about how he was and cared about his work He had always admired her from afar, but tonight, he would be right by her side. Moments later, the door swung open, and there she was. Kali stood before him, a vision of elegance and confidence. She

wore a stunning emerald green gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the fabric shimmering under the dim light of the hallway. Her hair cascaded in soft waves down her shoulders, and her makeup was flawless, accentuating her striking features. Cole’s breath caught in his throat; she looked absolutely radiant. “Wow,” he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. “You look… nice.” Kali smiled, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. “Thank you! You clean up pretty well yourself, Officer.” She took a step closer, her gaze appraising him in his sharp navy suit. “I like

the tie.”“Thanks!,” he said, trying to sound casual while his heart raced. He felt a warmth spread through him, a mixture of pride and nervousness.

“Shall we?” she asked, gesturing toward the waiting limousine.

“Absolutely,” he replied, stepping aside to let her pass. As she

walked ahead, he couldn’t help but admire the way she carried

herself, exuding an air of confidence that made himfeel both inspired and anxious. Cole opened the door for her, and she slid into the plush

interior of the limousine, her gown flowing gracefully as she

settled in. He followed suit, closing the door behind him with a

soft thud that echoed in the intimate space. The driver, a

middle-aged man with a friendly demeanor, nodded at them

through the rearview mirror before pulling away from the curb.

The interior of the limousine was luxurious, with soft leather

seats and mood lighting that set a glamorous tone for the

evening. Cole felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a tinge of

disbelief that he was actually here, sharing this moment with

Kali. “So, are you ready for this?” Kali asked, her eyes sparkling

with enthusiasm. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” he replied, trying to sound more

confident than he felt. “I’ve never been to a red carpet event

before. What should I expect?” Kali chuckled softly. “Well, it’s a bit of a circus, to be honest. There will be photographers, fans, and lots of flashing lights. Just remember to smile and enjoy it. And don’t worry; I’ll be

right there with you.” Her reassurance calmed him slightly, but the reality of the situation still loomed large in his mind. “I just hope I don’t embarrass myself,” he admitted, running a hand through his

hair. “I mean, I’m just a cop, and you’re… well, you’re you as kali said.”“Cole, you’re not just a cop,” her tone was serious.

“You’re a great person, and I wanted you to come with me

because I enjoy spending time with you. Just be yourself.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him, and he felt a rush

of warmth at her sincerity. “Thanks, Kali. That means a lot,” he

said, trying to keep his voice steady. As they made their way to the red carpet, Kali couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She knew Cole was a good friend, but she also knew there was something more between them. the limousine glided through the city streets, he found

himself stealing glances at her. She was so at ease, her laughter filling the air as she shared stories about past events she had attended. He listened intently, hanging on her every word, captivated by her charisma and charm.

“Do you have any tips for me?” he asked, wanting to contribute to the conversation while also seeking her guidance. “Just remember to have fun,” she replied, her expression turning playful. “And if you see a camera, just strike a pose! You’ll be a natural.” Cole chuckled, trying to imagine himself posing for the flashing lights. “Yeah, right. I’m more of a ‘stand awkwardly and hope for the best’ kind of guy.” Kali laughed, the sound like music to his ears. “You’ll be fine. Just follow my lead, and I promise you’ll have a great time.” As they approached at the red carpet, Kali's heart raced with anticipation. She knew Cole was a good man, but she also knew there was something more between them. As they arrived at the venue, the energy outside began to pulse with excitement. The limousine slowed to a stop, and Cole could see the throngs of people gathered, fans holdingsigns and cameras ready to capture the moment. His heart raced at the sight; it was a world so different from his own. “Here we are,” the driver announced, glancing back at them with a knowing smile. Cole took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. He glanced at Kali, who was already reaching for the door handle, her excitement palpable. “Ready?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Let’s do this,” he replied, trying to mask his nerves with determination. As they stepped out of the limousine, the world outside erupted in a chorus of cheers and flashing lights. Cole squinted against the brightness, his heart pounding in his chest as he stepped into the spotlight beside Kali. “Just smile and wave,” she whispered, nudging him playfully they walked the red carpet, hand in hand, Kali couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. She knew Cole was a good man and he shire looked good in that tux, and most of all she knew she could trust him. as they made their way toward the entrance.

With every step, he felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him, but he also felt a sense of purpose. He was here with Kali, and no matter how out of place he felt, he was determined to enjoy the evening.