SOULBOUND

Chapter 6: A Surprise Guest

The familiar city streets welcomed Zoey back with their bustling energy, as if Batanes had been but a dream fading in the wake of reality. Life as a scriptwriter resumed its hectic pace, consuming her days and nights with the creative chaos of storytelling. The memories of her encounter with Gabriel were pushed to the recesses of her mind, labeled as a fantastical escapade.

Amidst the whirlwind of work, Zoey found herself at a crew dinner, a brief respite from the demanding deadlines. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the team indulged in a sumptuous feast. Little did she know that this night held a revelation that would shatter the illusion of her forgotten encounter. She had been busy writing the final episodes of the hit drama series she was working on, and she had no time to think about anything else.

She was proud of her work, and so were her colleagues. They had just finished shooting the last scene, and they decided to celebrate with a crew dinner at a fancy restaurant. Zoey felt happy and relaxed as she sat with her friends and co-workers, enjoying the food and drinks.

"Cheers to us!" the director, Ryan, said, raising his glass. "We did it! We made a masterpiece!"

Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses. Zoey smiled and took a sip of her wine. She looked around the table and felt a surge of gratitude. She loved her job and the people she worked with. They were like a family to her.

She glanced at Ryan, who was sitting next to her. He was handsome, smart, and talented. He had been her mentor and friend for years, and he had always supported her. He was also single, and Zoey knew he had a crush on her. She liked him too, but she had never acted on it. She valued their friendship too much to risk it.

But maybe tonight was different. Maybe tonight she could let go of her fears and give him a chance. He deserved it, and so did she.

She was about to say something to him when he suddenly stood up and clapped his hands.

"Attention, everyone!" he announced. "I have a surprise for you all. I want you to meet someone very special. Someone who helped me a lot with this project. Someone who is a genius in his field. Someone who is also very handsome and charming."

Zoey felt a pang of jealousy. Who was he talking about? Was it another writer? A producer? An actor?

She watched as Ryan walked to the other side of the room, where a man was standing in the shadows. He put his arm around him and led him to the table.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ryan said, "please welcome our guest of honor, Gabriel Cruz!"

 Zoey's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in disbelief.

It was Gabriel.

Her shock transformed into a whirlwind of emotions, as memories rushed back like a torrential storm. She could hardly comprehend how the man who had haunted her dreams and lingered in the depths of her thoughts had suddenly materialized before her. Was this a mere coincidence, or was it a twist of fate conspiring to bring them together once more?

As their gazes met across the crowded room, time seemed to stand still. There was an electric charge in the air, a palpable tension that hung between them. Gabriel's eyes held a mixture of longing and recognition, as if they shared a secret known only to them. Zoey's heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions.

How could this be? How could he be here? How did he know Ryan? What was he doing in her city?

The evening continued, but for Zoey, it was as if the world had faded into the background. Conversations buzzed around her, but her focus remained solely on Gabriel. She observed him discreetly, noting the subtle hints of familiarity that seemed to emanate from his every gesture. Was it possible that he held the answers to the mysteries that had consumed her thoughts?

They all gasped and applauded as Gabriel approached them. He greeted them with charm and grace, shaking hands and exchanging compliments.

He seemed to know everyone's name and role in the show.

He seemed to be friends with everyone.

Except for Zoey.

***

Zoey's heart raced as she stood face to face with Gabriel, the man she had believed to be a mere figment of her imagination. But here he stood, flesh and blood, his eyes holding a depth of emotion that mirrored her own inner turmoil. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a timeless embrace.

Gabriel's presence was magnetic, his dark hair cascading around his chiseled features, accentuating his piercing gaze. Zoey couldn't help but be captivated by his striking allure, her eyes tracing the contours of his face, committing every detail to memory. The all-female crew at the table exchanged hushed whispers, their gazes filled with awe and curiosity, unable to tear their eyes away from the enigmatic man who had effortlessly commanded their attention.

The air crackled with an electric tension, as if the universe itself held its breath in anticipation of what was to come. Zoey felt a pull towards Gabriel that defied all rationality, as if they were destined to be entwined in each other's lives. It was a connection that surpassed mere physical attraction; it was a collision of souls, an inexplicable bond forged in the depths of time.

Gabriel's voice, a melodic resonance that reverberated through Zoey's being, broke the silence. Gabriel leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "We meet again, my Amaya," he uttered softly, his words carrying a weight of longing and familiarity.

A shiver ran down Zoey's spine, her heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. She watched as Gabriel took a step back, the space between them growing wider. The intensity of their connection lingered in the air, leaving Zoey craving for more.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, a vivid memory flashed before her eyes. She saw herself in a different time, a different place, facing a similar situation. It was a glimpse of a past that mirrored the present, intertwining their lives in an intricate dance of destiny.

Amaya? The name echoed in Zoey's mind, stirring fragments of memories she couldn't quite grasp. Who was Amaya, and why did Gabriel address her as such? Questions swirled within her, urging her to delve deeper into the enigma that surrounded them.

The intensity of Gabriel's gaze revealed a depth of emotion that mirrored her own, and she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable connection to him. It was as if he had always been by her side, even in the moments when she believed she was alone.

As their eyes locked, time seemed to stand still, the world around them fading into insignificance. The conversations at the table dissolved into murmurs of anticipation, their voices fading into the background as Zoey and Gabriel engaged in a silent conversation of their own. It was a dance of unspoken words and hidden desires, a connection that defied logic and comprehension.

Zoey's voice quivered as she finally spoke, her voice a gentle whisper. "Gabriel, who are you? And why do I feel this pull towards you, as if we've known each other for an eternity?"