One Fine Week

02

Flashback

A wide variety of shops lined the nearby streets: antique and art stalls, jewelry and accessory shops, luxury boutiques, souvenir kiosks and stores.
Pao's eyes subconsciously drifted to his favorite library that was barely visible across the street. Without another thought, his feet carried him in that direction.

***

After a little rest, the young male manages to stand up from the comfortable couch he was sitting  exhausted and walks along the corridors, observing several books while quietness surrounds him.
22-year-old Pao is used to visit the library on a regular basis. No changes, no news, everything remained in normal. He takes a glance outside the misted window. It's getting darker and Pao doesn't seem to have no choice then to stay here till the rain hopefully reduces. Nothing unfamiliar, nothing out of the ordinary and empty. He continues to walk to the next shelf, but stops immediately his movements, noticing that a figure was already standing on the side of the shelf. Someone unfamiliar.

A young aged female.

Gleam emerald eyes that are fixed pensively on the book in her hands - making Pao want to get to know the person within. Her round glasses create an innocent yet soothe aura, and the scarf she wears over her neck fits perfectly with her knee-length coat. He watched her move with exciting eyes, there was something of the innocent in her combined with a gentleness that made his heart reach out. Then in that instant she turned and caught the male's eye. Before Pao could turn away with bashfulness, a genuine grin spread across her face, turning it from beautiful into divine. At that moment, he felt his body flush warm. This was a person he wanted to know more than he'd ever felt before.

Just when he wanted to turn, only to peek again, the brunette suddenly disappeared, causing Pao's heart to slightly drop. And again he uses to stay with the books and the emptiness that surrounds him, the way he used to stay. What did Pao expect, after all? He wasn't the type of guy that could start a conversation that easily with somebody and certainly not, when it came to a woman. After all, how could he approach her and start a conversation?

For her, I am nothing but a stranger. He thought, desperately biting his lip. Pao takes a deep breath, puts his bag pack around the shoulder and walks towards the door while he thinks where he could find comfortable accommodation.

***

On the next chilly evening, Pao made, as usual, his typical way to the library. Without expecting the girl from yesterday, he enters, takes place and begins to spend his time with reading. Hours pass quickly as Pao closes the book he held in his hands. A sigh of disappointment escapes his mouth. Slightly upset by the girl that couldn't leave her mind since yesterday. He puts his glasses off, hoping that he could get another golden chance to meet the girl for a second time. Just when he thought that, she suddenly appeared like heaven sent. This time she was a bit closer, a girl by her side. Pao couldn't help but to spy on their conversation.

She is from France? He mumbles, slightly disappointed by the fact that she lives miles away from him. But that didn't mind Pao. He was more than excited. Furthermore, he figured out that she had a cheerful character, which he adored.

Since that day, Pao started to watch her for more than an hour. He had totally lost of track of time. How many hours, days or weeks had he spent?
He doesn't want to peek anymore he wanted to interact with her. The young male surely had a plan to manage that. Gladly, that the hotel she is staying in, is only some miles away from his home. An opportunity to work.