Chloe peered out over the window. After a stormy dark night, greyish -white clouds dominated the morning sky with occasional blue speckles. The earthy after rain scent lingered in the atmosphere while cool breeze greeted her by a gentle touch on her face. As she watched, she saw red, yellows and orange intertwined with the cloudy sky.

She moved downstairs to her kitchen and decided to prepare some pancakes.

Everything was uncluttered; utensils on hook, neatly folded tea towels on granite counters and a beautiful flower pot with pink and white tulips near a window. She watered them and brushed the petals gently with a small smile playing on her lips."

"Rebirth, that's what you symbolise. Don't you ?" She said to a closed bud, preparing the batter.

"After winter's rasp, comes the fresh buds of spring, you, being one of the first. You come, like the hope, sparks of warmth into the lives of many, help them heal and give them a chance to stand again." She mumbled, and flipped the pancakes.

"Now, you must be thinking, how silly of me is it to talk to you, when you cannot reply to me. But you know what ? In this moment, I don't want an advisor. I want a listener and I know, you heard me. So, Thank you for listening to my emotions in the pure silence." She smiled and turned the stove off.

She called for another cab while plating a stack of pancakes with honey and berries cascading from the top. She covered the plate with a cloche and exited her house.

Of all, her gaze travelled to one of the red-bricked, two storeys house, currently dampened by the fine rain.

"God ! Please be his mood nice." She prayed.

Upon reaching, infront of his house, she hesitated to press the bell, after the way he ignored her last night, she was feeling abandoned and dejected, but in her mind, his words repeated like stuck records. Almost whole night she was pondering over his behaviour, but she couldn't come up with anything to justify it. 

She took a deep breath and finally pressed the bell. No response was the response she got. She pressed the door bell again. Fortunately, she saw the door knob twisting, the heavy door swung open and in her view came – Sam, with a frown on his forehead.

"What do you want ?" He questioned, too calm to believe. She had to blink several times before realising, that she wasn't hallucinating.

"I–I brought you breakfast" She spoke. He looked down at her hands and then back up in her eyes.

"I don't want it, now walk away." He replied and folded his arms across his torso. She lowered her head and remained still on the spot.

"He has to be hard." She mumbled to herself and gazed back at him.

"Take it and I'll leave." She spoke firmly. His frown deepened, and to her, he looked more intimidating than he already was. It was unnerving and his penetrating stare wasn't helping either.

"Oh really ? Why are you so concerned about me ?" He questioned, stepping closer to her. Like a stranded fish, flapping desperately on the shore, gasping for air, she repeatedly opened and closed her mouth, but nothing came in her mind.

"I-I don't know." She replied meekly. He inhaled deeply and pulled away.

"I don't need it." He said and turned to close the door.

"Bu– alright atleast tell me how are you ?" She asked in haste, before he could close the door. He looked her dead in her eye.

"I am fine." He uttered and slammed the door shut.

Her heart ached, feeling so lost. She had this feeling that he was much more than his tough facade, and that there was something, hurting him but what, she didn't know.

With heavy heart, she trudged along the pavement, back to her house and slumped on the chair, with her head resting in between her palms.

"I truly don't understand, why am I being pulled towards you. Maybe it's your mysterious aura, your hidden motives that allure me or maybe it's not. I can't say anything" she mumbled, just in time, she heard a single knock on door, Sighing she walked to the door and opened it.

"Hello ! How may I help you ?" She asked to a middle aged man, with golden - brown hair, caramel brown eyes and a firm body.

"Good morning, we got a call for cab from here." He answered.

"Yes, I called for it, please give me a minute." She politely stated. He nodded, she grabbed her wallet and went by the car.

Shortly, she arrived at her office and was immediately greeted by Lewis.

"Morning, Chloe Bear" He enthused.

"Morning, Lewis." She replied nonchalantly.

"Do you like your new nickname ?" he asked.

"Yes"

"Really"

"Yes" having this feeling that Chloe was disregarding his words, Lewis stared at her.

"You didn't shower today ?" He asked

"Yes— no wait, What ? Of course, I have taken a bath."

"Chloe, what's wrong ?" He asked, genuinely concerned. Chloe sighed and turned to him.

"I am so confused. You know, I" She began but arrival of a lady cut her words

"Mr.Clark, Mr.Phillips ( Their head ) called for you." She said.

"Just a minute." He told her.

"Go, I'll tell you during lunch."

"O—okay, don't worry, I'll catch up with you later." She nodded and he dashed off.

Hours passed by, she was sitting on her chair, surrounded by piles of paperwork, She was trying hard to focus on her work, but it seemed impossible recently. Physically, she was in her office but her mind was on him. By and by, it was time for lunch. She arranged all her stuff before leaving for the "BLUESTAR CAFE", Lewis had texted her about.

She walked out of the building, and minutes later, her feet came to halt infront of a small cafe. She pushed open the door and moved in.

Cafe was painted in the color of dark chocolate. Floor was covered with terracotta rustic floor tiles, that infused old - world charm to the place. Aroma of fresh meals and beverages floated in the air accompanied by sweet melodies.

"Chloe, here." She heard Lewis call, standing by a patio for two beside a large window.

"Hey" She greeted him and took a seat opposite to him. Sunlight was peeking in through the window, adding orange glow to the cafe.

A young waitress, perhaps a teenager came by their table to take their orders. She had a shine in her eyes, a give away of her good heart.

"Hello, I am Elizabeth, your server. What would you like to order ?"

"Go ahead, order." Lewis spoke.

"One Cheeseburger and coke, Please." She said softly.

"Same for me" Lewis added.

"Will bring it right a way." Elizabeth enthused and walked away.

"Now, tell me what is up with you today." Lewis said. She took a deep breath and gave him, her undivided attention.

"You know, I have this neighbour. He is—he is—he is— I mean—one moment he is rude, next minute calm. I don't understand him. He is— he is so mysterious. And yesterday night, you know what happened ? He was beating a man– and– and worst of all that man had a– knife. And he even stabbed him" She spoke but Lewis seemed to have lost in his own thoughts.

His body froze in his seat, jaws tight and fist clenched. Fury was smoldered in his eyes.

"I have this feeling, that there is something bothering him, what, I have no clue. The more I think about it the more my brain becomes a spinning fidget. He is a mystery, and I don't know why, but I want to solve." She ended her ramble and looked up at him.

"Lui, are you okay ?" She asked, assessing his features, putting her palm over his hand.

"I am fine" He stated sternly. She pulled her hand back, perplexed by his sudden mood change. He took a deep breath and held her hand in between his palms.

"Chloe, you're a beautiful soul, you are the type of person, who can find good even in a monster. But, Chloe this World isn't so nice as you think.  Some people gain pleasure in hurting others, they dwell on thier sorrows. And I don't want you to get hurt by indulging in with wrong people." He said, masking all his anger with a sweet smile.

Before she could say anything further, Elizabeth brought their food, and rest of the remaining time, they spent eating in silence.

She felt bad when he called him "wrong" without even knowing him, and even though a small part of her believed on the words of Lewis, but a whole lot part of her didn't want to quit.

______________________________________

Hope you liked this Chapter . If yes please vote and share your views in the comments .

Stay happy
Stay healthy
Stay tuned !!