Chapter 5 : An Unforgettable Encounter

The morning sunlight filtered through Elena’s bedroom window, warm and golden, rousing her from a restless sleep. She stretched lazily, the soft hum of birdsong from outside filling the room. For a brief moment, she felt a sense of peace, but as soon as her mind began to wake, it went straight to him - the man from the festival.

Elena sat up, her heart beating a little faster as she recalled the encounter. His piercing amber eyes, the strength of his hands as he’d steadied her, the way he’d looked at her as if he could see straight into her soul. She could still feel the spark of that touch, the jolt that had left her breathless and speechless in equal measure.

She shook her head, trying to clear the memory. “Get a grip, Elena,” she muttered to herself as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. “You bumped into a handsome stranger. That’s all.”

But even as she tried to dismiss it, her chest tightened. There had been something more, something she couldn’t quite put into words. And the way he’d looked at her - like she was the only person in the crowd - left her feeling both exhilarated and unnerved.

With a sigh, she stood and headed to the bathroom. The cool splash of water on her face helped to ground her, and she focused on the day ahead. Her students would be waiting, and she had no time to be distracted by fleeting festival encounters.

By the time Elena arrived at the university, the campus was already bustling with life. Students milled about the courtyard, their voices carrying on the crisp morning air as they exchanged notes, grabbed coffees, and hurried to their classes. She clutched her satchel a little tighter, the familiar weight of her lecture materials helping her refocus.

“Elena! Good morning!” one of her students, a bright and eager young man named David, called out as she approached the lecture hall.

“Morning, David,” she replied with a warm smile. A small group of students had gathered outside her classroom, their conversation animated as they waited for her to unlock the door.

“What are we focusing on today?” another student, Maria, asked as she tucked a notebook under her arm. “More folklore texts?”

“Something like that,” Elena said with a grin. “We’ll be analyzing the Moonlight myths—how the stories have evolved over time and what they tell us about the cultures that created them.”

The students murmured with excitement as she unlocked the door, leading them inside. Elena loved this part of her job, the opportunity to share her passion for history and mythology with others. It felt like uncovering the layers of the past together, peeling back the mysteries hidden within ancient texts.

She set her materials on the desk, glancing at the clock as the students settled into their seats. Once everyone was ready, she began. “Good morning, everyone. Today, we’ll be exploring-”

Her words caught in her throat as her gaze swept across the room. Sitting near the back, in one of the far chairs, was him. The man from the festival.

Her heart skipped a beat, her breath hitching as she locked eyes with him. He was just as striking in the daylight, his amber gaze sharp and unwavering, his presence commanding despite the casual way he leaned back in his seat.

“Elena?” Maria prompted from the front row, her brow furrowing in concern. “Everything okay?”

Elena blinked, forcing herself to look away from him and focus on her students. “Y-yes,” she said, her voice faltering slightly before she cleared her throat. “Sorry. As I was saying, today we’ll be exploring the Moonlight myths and their cultural significance.”

She launched into her lecture, doing her best to ignore the way her skin prickled with awareness of him. But it wasn’t easy. Every time she glanced at the room, she caught sight of him, his intense gaze fixed on her like a silent challenge. He wasn’t taking notes, nor did he seem particularly interested in the material - his focus was entirely on her.

The lecture passed in a blur, though she somehow managed to get through it without stumbling again. As the students packed up their things and began filing out of the room, she busied herself with organizing her notes, hoping to avoid another awkward encounter.

“Professor,” David said, stopping by her desk, “that was a great lecture. Thanks for the insights. I’ll see you next class.”

“Thanks, David,” Elena replied with a distracted smile, her attention already drifting to the man lingering in his seat, waiting for the others to leave.

When the room finally emptied, he stood and approached her desk. Elena’s heart pounded as she looked up at him, her breath catching once again as he stopped just a few feet away. Up close, he was even more striking, his dark hair framing his angular face perfectly. And those eyes… they seemed to pierce straight through her.

“Hello again,” he said, his voice low and smooth, with a faint hint of amusement.

Elena tried to muster her usual confidence, but the intensity of his presence left her flustered. “Hi,” she managed, her voice softer than she intended. “I… didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I imagine not,” he said, his lips curving into a faint smile. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your class.”

“You didn’t,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I just - were you… interested in the lecture?”

“A little,” he admitted, his tone teasing. “But mostly, I wanted to see you.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, unsure how to respond. No one had ever spoken to her with such directness, and it left her both flattered and unsettled.

He seemed to sense her hesitation, his expression softening. “I’m sorry if I startled you. I’m Ren, by the way.”

“Elena,” she replied, though she had the distinct feeling he already knew her name.

“It’s nice to meet you, Elena,” he said, his voice warm. “You have a talent for teaching. Your passion for the subject comes through.”

“Thank you,” she said, her blush deepening. “I… appreciate that.”

Ren’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he stepped back, giving her space. “I won’t keep you,” he said. “But I hope we’ll see each other again soon.”

Before she could respond, he turned and left the room, his presence like a storm that had swept in and left just as quickly. Elena stared after him, her heart racing, her mind filled with questions. Who was he? Why had he come here? And why did she feel as though her entire world had shifted in the span of a single morning?