Chapter 6 : A Confession Over Lunch

The rest of the morning passed in a blur for Elena. After Ren left the lecture hall, she had barely been able to focus on anything else. Her mind replayed their brief conversation, the way he’d spoken to her with such calm intensity, the way his presence seemed to fill the room even after he was gone.

Who is he? she wondered, her thoughts drifting as she stared blankly at her computer screen in the office she shared with two other professors. Ren’s appearance in her class had been unexpected, almost surreal, like something out of a dream. He hadn’t been a student- that much was clear. But then why had he come? And why did he seem so interested in her?

A soft chime from her phone broke her reverie. She glanced at the screen, seeing a message from Sara.

Sara: Lunch? I’m starving, and I need to rant about my charming coworker.

Elena: Sure. Usual place?

Sara: You know it. See you in 15!

Grateful for the distraction, Elena grabbed her things and headed out. The crisp autumn air was refreshing as she walked to the small restaurant just off campus, where she and Sara often met for lunch. The cozy spot had become their go-to over the years, a place where they could talk freely and unwind.

Sara was already waiting at a corner table when Elena arrived, waving enthusiastically as she approached. “There you are!” she said, her smile wide. “I already ordered drinks. You look like you could use one.”

Elena laughed softly as she slid into the chair opposite her friend. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to me,” Sara replied, her eyes twinkling. “But don’t worry, I’m not letting you wallow. Now, let’s order something delicious and talk about me for a bit, so you can forget whatever’s bothering you.”

Elena smiled, grateful for Sara’s energy. They placed their orders - salads and grilled paninis - and Sara launched into her usual animated storytelling.

“So,” Sara began, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin, “Ben-Mr. Charming Smile - is now sitting at the desk across from me. Which is both amazing and annoying, because now I have to pretend I don’t notice how good he looks in button-downs.”

Elena chuckled, shaking her head. “Poor you. How do you manage?”

“Barely,” Sara said with mock drama, placing a hand over her heart. “He offered me coffee this morning, and I swear, I almost proposed. But then he started talking about his dog’s I*******m account, and the moment passed.”

Elena laughed, but it was softer than usual, and Sara’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the way her smile faded almost as quickly as it appeared.

“Okay, spill,” Sara said, pointing her fork at Elena. “Something’s up. You’ve been quiet all lunch, and I know you too well to let this slide. What’s going on?”

Elena hesitated, glancing down at her plate. She hadn’t planned on telling anyone about Ren - not yet - but the words were already forming on her tongue. “It’s… complicated,” she began slowly, her fingers toying with the edge of her napkin.

Sara tilted her head, waiting patiently. “I’m listening.”

Taking a deep breath, Elena looked up at her friend. “Do you remember the guy from the festival? The one I bumped into?”

Sara’s eyes lit up with recognition. “The gorgeous one? How could I forget? What about him?”

Elena’s cheeks flushed as she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. “He showed up at my class this morning.”

Sara blinked, her fork pausing midair. “Wait, what? The guy? The one who looked like he stepped out of a romance novel? That guy?”

“Yes,” Elena said, her voice a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “I was in the middle of my lecture, and there he was, sitting in the back row like it was the most normal thing in the world.”

Sara stared at her, her jaw dropping slightly. “Okay, that’s… wow. Did he say anything? What did he want?”

“He stayed after class,” Elena admitted, her cheeks growing warmer. “We talked for a minute. He said he wanted to see me.”

Sara’s eyebrows shot up, and she leaned in closer. “See you? Like, for what?”

“I don’t know,” Elena said, shaking her head. “He was polite, but there was something about the way he looked at me… It’s hard to explain. It was intense, like he already knew me somehow.”

Sara let out a low whistle, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “And what do you think? Do you want to see him again?”

Elena hesitated, her thoughts swirling. Did she want to see Ren again? The logical part of her warned against it - she didn’t know anything about him, and there was something almost too perfect about the way he seemed to appear out of nowhere. But the pull she felt toward him, the way her heart raced at the memory of his gaze, was impossible to ignore.

“I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “There’s something about him that feels… different. Like I’ve known him forever, even though I haven’t.”

Sara studied her for a moment, her expression softening. “Elena, you’ve never been one to jump into things, and I know this is new territory for you. But maybe you don’t need to figure it all out right now. Maybe just… let it unfold. See where it goes.”

Elena nodded, her friend’s words bringing a small measure of comfort. “Thanks, Sara. I just… I don’t want to overthink it, but I can’t stop thinking about him.”

Sara grinned, her teasing tone returning. “Well, he’s handsome. I don’t blame you. Just promise me one thing - if he’s secretly a prince or something, I get to be your maid of honor.”

Elena laughed, rolling her eyes. “Deal.”

They finished their lunch, the conversation shifting to lighter topics, but Ren remained in the back of Elena’s mind. The memory of his presence, the pull of his gaze - it was something she couldn’t shake, no matter how hard she tried.

As she walked back to her office later that afternoon, Elena couldn’t help but wonder what the next day would bring. If Ren had sought her out once, would he do it again? And if he did… what would she say?