Chapter 3

Eric, who’s done with work for the day, enters the cafe called “Café Everdawn”. As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted with the rich smell of coffee and the sweetness of the baked goods. After taking a moment of relief, he goes to order his favorite coffee, a Dawn Macchiato with extra caramel sauce. As he goes to sit down with his drink, he notices a new piece of art hanging in the cafe that has runes mixed in the art.

At the same time, Jessica and her friend Priscilla entered the cafe.

“You go ahead and order, I have to go to the bathroom.” Priscilla says in urgency.

“Alright, go go.” As Jessica taps Priscilla’s shoulder.

Jessica went ahead and ordered her favorite dessert and coffee, a cinnamon crunch muffin with a lavender latte. As she went to sit her order down, Jessica hesitated for a moment as she caught sight of the man by a painting with runes. Something about him seemed very familiar, almost as if it was magnetic, like an invisible force was pulling her closer. Her feet moved before she could think, and before she knew it, she was standing beside him. So she greeted him.

“H-Hello…” Jessica softly smiled.

“Hey.” The man was Eric.

Before either of them could finish their thoughts, their eyes connected to each other sending a feeling of electricity throughout their bodies. They felt as though they’ve known each other for a long time.

“Evon?” Says Jessica softly but painfully.

“J-Jennifer?” Eric's voice trembles softly.

Flashes of their past life, a time long ago filled with the emotions of love, loss, and an unbreakable bond, revealed themselves vaguely, but clear enough for them to remember each other.

Jessica’s eyes started to tear up, then she went and hugged Eric tightly, like she was afraid to let go, or if she did he would disappear again.

“I— I can’t believe it.” Jessica’s voice trembling softly.

Eric hugs her back, and as his mind raced “Is this real?” As his voice is filled with disbelief.

They both continued to hug each other for what felt like an eternity, until their minds caught up to what had happened in the moment. Then, they unwillingly let each other go, but their eyes stayed locked in each other’s.

Jessica, eyes red from crying, smiled brightly, “His hair is still as golden as the sunset and his eyes as soft and pink as cotton candy.” She thought to herself. 

At the same moment, Eric thought while in a trance from her beautiful smile, “Her hair is as deep as the ocean,” As he softly touches her hair. “And she still has the same heterochromia eyes that are two different shades of blue like a blue butterfly’s wings…” 

Jessica, blushing, finally introduces herself, “My name is now Jessica.” She says shyly.

“Huh?” Eric snaps out of his trance and starts stammering, “Oh! Sorry, my name is now Eric.” He says while blushing from embarrassment.

As Eric and Jessica stood, lost in each other’s eyes, a sudden noise broke the spell. Across the cafe, Priscilla, who was rushing out the bathroom, had just collided with a man, spilling coffee all over themselves.

“Oh my gosh!” Priscilla, covered in hot coffee, ignored the pain and immediately apologized. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you!”

The man was slightly annoyed, and said, “So… how do you plan to make up for it? Hm?” The man says in an arrogant tone.

“What a jerk.” Priscilla thought, irritated by his tone. She forced a smile and politely said, “What’s your name, I’ll pay for the dry cleaning.” Though her smile was filled with annoyance.

The man, smirking at her facade, pulls out his business card to hand to Priscilla, “The name is Alvin.” Looking down on her. “Here’s how you can get to me, once you’re ready to pay for my dry cleaning.” He then pulls out some money. “Here, take it. It’s to pay for ointment for the burns my coffee caused.” 

“Maybe he’s not a total jerk.”  Priscilla thought while receiving the money. “Here, this is also my business card, you can send the clothes to the address on here.” 

They then said their byes and went their separate ways, with the lingering thoughts of familiarity with each other. Priscilla looks back only to see Alvin looking back at her too. Caught, they both quickly look away blushing and anticipating their next encounter. 

While Priscilla met up with Jessica and Eric, Jessica instinctively checked on Priscilla's condition. 

“I can’t see the burns, so I can’t tell how bad they are…” Jessica says worryingly.

Priscilla pats Jessica’s head, “Ohh don’t worry it’s not that bad, besides he gave me money for ointment.” While she waves the money in the air. Then she looks at Eric, who was taking off his jacket, “Anyway you should introduce this fellow to me.” She says while smirking at Jessica.

“Oh this is Eric… He’s… Someone I’ve reconnected with.” While smiling sweetly at Eric.

“Oooo~, I see~” as Priscilla says playfully.

Eric gives his jacket to Priscilla so she could cover up.

“Wooow~ what a gentleman, thank you~.”

Eric chuckles and says, “You’re very much welcome.”

Eric then looks at his watch and gasps.

“Oh, shoot I gotta go.” He says regretfully.

Jessica, sad and hurt, says, “Before you go… may I have your number?” Jessica softly smiles, “I want to be able to keep in touch with you.”

Eric smiles and they exchange numbers.

Eric left reluctantly.

Unbeknownst to Eric, Jessica and Priscilla, Vidhi watched from afar, “The wheels of fate are churning once again,” he muttered.

While watching Eric leave, he notices a shadow pass through Eric for a split second.

His eyes narrowed as his heart filled with unease, like something bad was going to happen.

“I should keep my eyes on them…” Vidhi sighs. “Should I even intervene…” conflicted, Vidhi turns and vanishes into thin air.

Eric on his way out, turns around with a chilled feeling.

“I guess it's pretty chilly out here… hehe…” intentionally ignoring the bad feeling that enveloped him for a split second.

All going their separate ways, while anticipating their next encounter. They can’t help but feel a faint sense of unease in their hearts.