I found You

chapter 8

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Chapter 8: An Unexpected Meeting

Jules tightened her scarf against the brisk air as she turned onto the familiar cobblestone street. She had been trying to resist this visit, convincing herself she didn’t need another cup of coffee, didn’t need to spend another afternoon in the small cafe she frequented. Yet, somehow, her feet carried her here. It was an old comfort—a place where the chaos of her thoughts could settle.A place where she could escape office chaotism.But today, even as she drew near, her mind was anything but calm.

It was Michael. He was tangled in her every thought, like a song she couldn’t get out of her head. Despite her best efforts to detach herself, she couldn’t forget the way he looked at her, his voice softened only for her, or the way he always seemed to find her, no matter how much she tried to slip away.

Jules took a deep breath, convincing herself that she would just grab her coffee and go. No lingering today. No overthinking. She’d pick up her order and leave.

But as she rounded the corner and her eyes found the cafe, her heart stopped.

Michael stood there, leaning against a lamppost just a few feet from the entrance, his tall figure impossible to miss. A small bundle of flowers rested in his hand, a splash of color against the dull gray of the street. His gaze was fixed on the door, as if waiting for something—or someone. She wasn’t close enough to catch his eye yet, but even from here, she could feel his presence like a magnetic pull.

Jules shook her head, trying to stifle the spark of excitement flickering within her. This isn’t a coincidence, she told herself. He planned this. So, summoning her best attempt at nonchalance, she strode forward, letting a smile slip onto her lips. When he finally looked up and saw her, he broke into a grin, as if he’d won a silent battle against time itself.

“Michael,” she called out teasingly, tilting her head. “This isn’t a coincidence, is it?”

He chuckled, stepping forward, closing the gap between them in slow strides. His eyes danced with mischief, but there was something deeper there, something more vulnerable that Jules wasn’t sure how to interpret. He stopped just inches away from her, his warmth cutting through the chill in the air. Jules felt her heart pounding, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said softly, his voice low and inviting.

The words sent a shiver down her spine. She tried to hide her reaction, but Michael’s grin only grew, as if he could see right through her. She folded her arms, trying to maintain her composure. “You don’t just show up at my favorite cafe with flowers, expecting… whatever it is you’re expecting.” She let the words trail off, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Michael leaned in a little closer, close enough that she could feel his breath against her cheek. His eyes searched hers, both playful and serious. “Maybe I don’t need to expect anything. I just wanted to see you, Jules.” He held out the flowers to her with an almost boyish grin, one that melted a part of her defenses no matter how hard she tried to resist.

She looked down at the flowers, a mix of bright daisies and wildflowers, simple yet thoughtful. “Why go through the trouble?” she asked quietly, the edge in her voice softening. “You don’t even know where I live. Waiting here just to…?” She couldn’t finish, her emotions swirling in confusion.

Michael’s smile softened. “Because I don’t want to miss out on a chance to be with you. Even if it means standing here for hours.” His voice dropped, and his face grew serious. “I know I might not deserve it, but I want to try. For once, I want to do something right.”

Jules felt her heart falter, her hands clutching the flowers as though they were her only anchor. She hadn’t been prepared for him to say something so honest, so raw. And in that moment, her own walls started to crack. She looked away, a thousand words fighting to escape, but none seemed right.

“Well…” she began, forcing herself to meet his gaze, her tone wry. “You could start by coming in for coffee. I won’t stand out here in the cold, no matter how pretty these flowers are.”

He laughed, nodding, and they walked into the cafe together. As they settled into a quiet corner booth, Jules’ inner turmoil continued to simmer beneath the surface. She wasn’t sure if she could let herself trust him—not with his secrets, not with the distance he always seemed to keep.

But as she looked across the table, watching him laugh and relax as if the weight of the world didn’t press down on him for once, she felt something begin to soften.

If only she could let her feelings win against all the second thoughts and rivalries between their families.