A Gaze Of Love

Chapter 3 : Us Together?!

𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The following days were a blur of flight schedules and frantic emails, leaving little room for anything beyond the demands of my job. Yet, amid the chaos of airports and airplanes, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ivan. His smile, the way his eyes had sparkled in the dim light of the restaurant—these memories seemed to hold a special place in my mind. I found myself sneaking peeks at his Instagram profile, captivated by the glimpses of his world. His photos of art galleries, bustling city streets, and coding projects painted a picture of a life so different from my own, and it fascinated me.

One morning, while I was between flights, my phone buzzed with a new message. When I saw Ivan's name, my heart skipped a beat. He was inviting me to an art exhibition he was attending. The fact that he remembered my love for art from our brief conversation was both touching and exciting. A wave of joy washed over me, quickly followed by a pang of anxiety. 

The invitation was both thrilling and daunting. It felt like a rare opportunity to connect with someone who had made such a positive impression on me. Yet, it also represented a potential distraction from the routine of my hectic life. I knew I'd be stepping out of my comfort zone, and the uncertainty of where this might lead only added to my apprehension.

Over the next several days, I wrestled with my decision. Should I go? The thought of attending the exhibition was alluring, but the idea of deviating from my tightly packed schedule made me hesitate. I was wary of how this might affect my busy routine, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for the potential upheaval.

But every time I thought about it, I couldn't shake the excitement and curiosity that Ivan had stirred in me. The chance to see him again and immerse myself in something I genuinely enjoyed was too tempting to ignore. I knew that sometimes taking a chance was the only way to find out what might be waiting just around the corner.

After much internal debate, I finally made up my mind. I took a deep breath, composed my response, and hit send. "Let's do this," I texted back, trying to keep my tone light but hoping it conveyed the enthusiasm I felt.

The moment I sent the message, a mix of anticipation and nervousness washed over me. I had taken the leap, and now I would have to see where this new opportunity might lead. The decision was made, and with it, the excitement of what might come next filled me with a sense of hopeful expectation.

𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The days following my invitation to Irina were a whirlwind of meetings, project updates, and the usual demands of running a tech startup. Yet, despite the hectic pace, my thoughts often wandered back to her. Our conversation had left a lasting impression, and the idea of seeing her again at the art exhibition was something I genuinely looked forward to.

When her reply finally came through, I felt a surge of excitement. The simple text—"Let's do this"—was more than just a confirmation; it was a signal that she was open to exploring the connection we had started. Her enthusiasm was palpable even through a few words, and it made me eager to share this experience with her.

I spent the next few days finalizing the details for the exhibition. It was a high-profile event showcasing contemporary art, and I was excited about the pieces that would be on display. I hoped Irina would enjoy it as much as I anticipated. More importantly, I was looking forward to seeing her again, to continue our conversation and learn more about the intriguing person I had met.