First meeting

Ever since Lila found out about her father’s plan, she had been quieter than ever. If anyone asked her what was wrong, she just pretended that everything was fine. But inside, she felt like a storm was brewing, ready to break free at any moment. Today, she and her sister Alice were sitting on the swing in their garden, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over everything.

Alice, always the extrovert, chattered away about the latest gossip, trying to coax a response from Lila. But Lila’s mind was elsewhere, replaying the words she had overheard, feeling the weight of her family’s expectations like a heavy cloak around her shoulders.

Then, they both saw it—a man on a motorbike, wearing shades, entering their compound. The roar of the engine cut through the air, capturing their attention immediately. Alice, her curiosity piqued, grabbed Lila’s hand and pulled her towards the driveway.

"Come on, Lila! Let's see who it is," Alice said, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

Lila followed reluctantly, her heart not quite in it, but willing to be dragged along by her sister’s enthusiasm. As they approached, the man got down from his motorbike, his movements fluid and confident. He had a chiseled jaw, a straight nose, and his dark hair fell perfectly into place as he removed his helmet. Even from a distance, his presence radiated a dangerous aura, one that made Lila’s breath catch in her throat. He seemed older even though he looked like a young person.

As he made his way to their house, Alice hurried to intercept him, blocking his path with a mischievous smile. "Hey there, stranger! Who are you, and what brings you to our humble abode?" she asked, her voice playful and flirtatious.

The man looked at Alice with mild amusement, his lips curling into a smirk. "I'm here to see your father," he replied, his voice deep and smooth.

Alice wasn't deterred. She stepped closer, batting her eyelashes. "Oh really? And who might you be? We don't get many visitors around here, especially ones as… interesting as you."

Lila stood a few steps behind, watching the interaction with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. There was something about this man that made her skin tingle and her heart race. His eyes, now visible without the shades, were a striking shade of green, piercing and familiar. They reminded her of the wolf she had encountered in the woods, the same wild, intelligent gaze.

The man’s eyes shifted past Alice and landed on Lila. For a moment, he stiffened, as if seeing something unexpected. Lila frowned, feeling a strange connection that she couldn’t quite place. Her heart pounded in her chest, and it seemed as if the air around them had suddenly grown thicker.

Alice, oblivious to the tension, continued her barrage of questions. "Do you have a name, or should I just call you 'mystery man'? And what business do you have with our father?"

The man tore his gaze away from Lila and looked back at Alice, his expression unreadable. "My name is Caleb," he said, his tone measured. "And my business with your father is private."

Alice pouted, clearly not satisfied with the lack of details. "Private, huh? Well, I suppose I can let you in. But only because you seem… intriguing."

She stepped aside, allowing Caleb to proceed towards the house. As he walked past Lila, she felt an inexplicable pull towards him. Her skin felt hot, almost as if it were on fire, and she struggled to understand why her heart was reacting this way.

Caleb paused briefly beside her, his eyes locking onto hers once more. “Hello" he said, his voice low and intense.

Lila nodded, unable to find her voice. There was something about the way his voice that sent shivers down her spine. She watched as he continued towards the front door, his presence leaving a lingering sense of mystery and danger in the air.

Alice turned to Lila, her eyes wide with excitement. "Did you see that? He’s like something out of a movie! I wonder what he wants with Dad."

Lila could only nod again, her mind swirling with questions. Who was Caleb, and why did he seem so familiar? And why did she feel such a strange connection to him, as if they had crossed paths before?