Threshold of Forever

CHAPTER VIII

ELISE POV

I was driving towards the meeting point and, even from a distance, I could see her standing in the lobby, waiting for me. As I maneuvered my car into a spot right in front of her, a look of confusion crossed her face. I rolled down the window, and the moment she recognized me, her expression shifted from bewilderment to joy, a sweet smile spreading across her lips.

"Hey there! Sorry I'm a bit late. Traffic was worse than I expected." I said shyly and scratched my nape, she smiled sweetly.

"Oh, it's you! For a second, I didn't recognize your car. I thought I was waiting for the wrong person." she chuckled, how cute!

"Hop in" as she got into the car excitedly.

I was about to drive when, I noticed that her seatbelt wasn't fastened. I decided to step closer and fix it .I gently reached for the seatbelt, I leaned in towards her. She looked at me, startled, and our faces were suddenly inches apart. I could feel the warmth of her breath and hear my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still. I felt my heart racing, as if it was trying to jump out of my chest. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, hesitating slightly but continuing my task. I could hear her deep breathing, both of us aware of the closeness, wondering what might happen next. Shit!

After what felt like an eternity, the seatbelt clicked into place and I returned to my seat. I couldn't help but smile, the sound of my heartbeat still echoing in my ears.

"Let's . . .  Let's go?" I nervously asked because I was ashamed of what happened, she quickly nodded and her cheeks got red.

I began to drive through the city streets, the night settling around us with an awkward silence that seemed to thicken the air inside the car. Each passing moment felt heavy with unspoken words, and the faint glow of streetlights outside cast fleeting shadows across our faces.

Feeling the tension, I reached over and hesitantly turned on the stereo, hoping to dispel the awkwardness with music. The sound filled the car, but instead of easing the discomfort, it seemed to amplify it, each note hanging in the air like a reminder of the unspoken.

As we drove on, the awkward silence persisted, punctuated only by the occasional murmured direction or the distant sound of passing traffic. The music played softly in the background, its presence somehow both soothing and exacerbating the uneasy atmosphere between us.

Navigating through the city's nighttime labyrinth, we remained enveloped in this uncomfortable stillness, each lost in our own thoughts, unsure of how to bridge the gap that had silently grown between us.

I pulled into the parking lot of a cozy restaurant nestled in a quiet corner of the city. The evening air was cool, and the soft glow of street lamps cast a gentle illumination around us. As I turned off the engine, I glanced over at her.

"I'm hungry" and smiled shyly. With a hint of surprise, she chuckled and said they thought

"I thought we were just meeting up for coffee, not a full meal" She smiled and agreed, the initial awkwardness fading as we both realized it was just a casual outing driven by hunger.

I stepped out of the car while she was grabbing a mirror to quickly check her appearance and apply a touch of lipstick. With a swift motion, I turned around just in time to open the door for her. I reached her hand once the door opened She looked at me questioning before she held my hand, her hand is so soft as f*ck.

The restaurant was quiet, creating a subdued atmosphere as me and Alessia sat at opposite ends of a small table. There was an air of tension and uncertainty, yet both were hopeful to make amends and deepen their understanding of each other, especially since we didn't know much about each other aside from our names.

"Elise, I just want to thank you again for that night. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there." Alessia breaks our awkwardness as she speaks, her voice is music to my ears.

"You're welcome, Alessia. I know anyone would have done the same. You didn't have to face that situation alone." I smiled softly, showing my appreciation for Alessia.

"I was curious why you were still at school at that hour?" she asked playfully, raising an eyebrow.

I looked up, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she recalled the unexpected turn of events.

"Well, I actually fell asleep in the library. I was feeling a bit sleepy, and the library seemed like the quietest place to rest. Next thing I knew, it was late and I missed my chance to go to my class" I scratch my nape

Unexpectedly, Alessia burst into laughter, her genuine amusement filling the air. I couldn't help but smile back, grateful for the lighthearted moment.

"I didn't expect that. You seem so composed and serious.That's one way to spend an evening at school. "As she laughter subsided, Alessia said with a playful grin.

"Life has its surprises, I guess. But I'm glad I got a good laugh out of it." I shrugged playfully.

"You , why were you still at school at that hour?" I wanted to continue our conversation so I turned her questions back to her.

Alessia's earlier cheerful smile faded, replaced by a hint of sadness. Sensing the shift in her demeanor

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked gently.

Alessia shook her head silently, her expression unreadable. I waited patiently, unsure of what had caused the sudden change in Alessia's mood.

"It's not you. I just... I didn't expect to talk about that night." After a moment, Alessia spoke softly.

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with." I nodded understandingly, realizing she had unintentionally touched on a sensitive topic.

"Thank you. It's just... it's been a lot to process." Alessia managed a small smile.

Silence enveloped the small table where me and Alessia sat in a cozy corner of the restaurant.

As the food arrived, we started eating and I noticed the melancholy on Alessia's face so I stopped eating and I extended my hands and smiled softly.

"I'm Gabriella Elise Mendoza" I said with a mix of nervousness and hope.

Alessia looked surprised but returned the smile, introducing herself in turn.

"Alessia Charvi Anderson,crying lady" she replied, reaching out to shake hands with a smile of her own. She remembered me?

As Alessia delved deeper into conversation, I feel like I'm floating on a cloud. The way she spoke, the genuine interest in getting to know me—it all made me feel lighter, more at ease than I had in a long time.

As our continued conversation, we discovered shared favorite foods and interests in music. Our stories and laughter allowed us to form a deeper connection with each other.

I couldn't quite put into words what I was feeling. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, replaced by a warmth that spread through me. I knew in that moment that this wouldn't be the last time we'd meet.

I listened intently to Alessia's words, treasuring each moment as we shared stories and laughter. The restaurant around us faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in our own little world of understanding and connection.

By the end of the evening, as we parted ways with promises to meet again, I couldn't help but smile to myself. Alessia had made me feel seen, appreciated, and hopeful for the future—a feeling I wanted to hold onto for as long as possible.

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A corny chapter... Indeed!