Love at first sight

Love at first sight (Chapter 1)

# Chapter 1: Unlikely Encounters

Leigh always thought his life was as predictable as the ticking of a clock. Each day followed a routine, neatly packaged between the mundane tasks of lectures, assignments, and part-time work. But on that fateful autumn evening, everything changed, propelling him into a world he never imagined existed.

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The late afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the university campus. Leigh gathered his books, shoving them into his worn backpack. The library was nearly empty, save for a few dedicated students and the soft murmur of the librarian's radio. Leigh sighed, rubbing his eyes as he checked his phone. It was later than he thought. Time to head home.

Outside, the air was crisp, the chill of approaching winter evident in the breeze. Leigh adjusted his scarf and began his walk home, his thoughts still tangled in the complexities of his economics textbook. He barely noticed the tall figure leaning against a lamppost, shrouded in darkness.

Alexander watched Leigh from a distance, his gaze unwavering. The city’s underworld was his domain, a place where he wielded power and influence. But here, in the heart of the university, he felt like an outsider. Yet, something about Leigh drew him in, something he couldn't quite explain.

Leigh felt a prickle of awareness and glanced up, his eyes meeting Alexander’s. There it was again—that inexplicable connection. He quickened his pace, heart pounding, half-expecting the stranger to follow. But Alexander stayed where he was, simply watching, as if rooted by some invisible force.

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Days passed, and Leigh couldn’t shake the image of the mysterious man. His presence was like a shadow in Leigh's mind, always there, lurking at the edges of his thoughts. He found himself scanning the crowds at the university, hoping for another glimpse of the stranger.

His friends noticed the change in him. During lunch in the bustling campus cafeteria, Sarah, his best friend, nudged him with a concerned look. “Earth to Leigh! You’ve been spacing out a lot lately. What’s going on?”

Leigh hesitated, unsure how to explain. “I... I saw someone the other night. A man. There was something about him...”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Sounds like someone’s got a crush.”

“It’s not like that,” Leigh insisted, though his cheeks flushed. “He was just... different. I can’t explain it.”

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Meanwhile, Alexander’s life was a whirlwind of danger and deception. His position in the mafia demanded constant vigilance, strategic thinking, and ruthless action. But despite the chaos, he found his thoughts drifting to Leigh. He couldn’t understand why this ordinary student had such a hold on him.

Alexander’s right-hand man, Marco, noticed his distraction. They were in the middle of a meeting at their usual hideout, a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city. “Boss, you’ve been zoning out. Something on your mind?”

Alexander frowned, reluctant to share his feelings. In their world, vulnerability was a weakness. “Just thinking,” he muttered, brushing off Marco’s concern.

Marco wasn’t convinced but knew better than to press the issue. “Well, we’ve got a problem with the East Side gang. They’ve been encroaching on our territory.”

Alexander’s eyes hardened, his attention snapping back to the present. “We’ll deal with them. But first, I have something I need to do.”

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That evening, Leigh found himself wandering the campus grounds, drawn by an invisible force. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the buildings. He felt a strange sense of anticipation, as if something significant was about to happen.