Chapter Six

Victor settled comfortably into the chair across from Ella, resting one arm on the table.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

It wasn't awkward.

It was... peaceful.

The jazz band in the corner played a slow melody while the rain tapped gently against the windows.

Victor broke the silence first.

"So..."

He glanced at her untouched glass of wine.

"Did it help?"

Ella looked down at the crimson liquid swirling inside the glass.

"Did what help?"

"The wine."

She chuckled softly.

"I don't know."

Victor tilted his head.

"I'll take that as a no."

She laughed.

"You ask a lot of questions."

"I lecture for a living."

She frowned.

"A lecturer?"

Victor nodded.

"University lecturer."

"I would've guessed lawyer."

He looked surprised.

"Why?"

"You sound like someone who's always trying to prove a point."

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine.

"I'll try not to take that personally."

Ella smiled.

She hadn't realized how long it had been since she'd smiled without forcing it.

The waitress returned.

"Another glass?"

Victor looked at Ella.

"Only if you're having one."

She hesitated before nodding.

"One more."

"Two, then," Victor told the waitress.

As she walked away, Ella folded her hands on the table.

"So..."

"My turn."

Victor leaned back.

"I'm listening."

"What makes someone come to a bar with a book?"

He looked at the novel lying beside his glass.

"I was hoping no one would ask."

She smiled.

"Too late."

He shrugged.

"I travel a lot for academic conferences."

"So you're here for work?"

"I was."

"And now?"

"My flight was cancelled this morning."

Ella blinked.

"Mine was delayed."

Victor raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"I wasn't supposed to be here."

"Neither was I."

For some reason...

That made both of them smile.

"What are the odds?" Ella asked.

Victor looked around the room.

"I guess this city enjoys collecting lost travelers."

Lost.

The word lingered between them.

It felt strangely personal.

Victor noticed the expression on her face.

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't mean—"

"It's okay."

Ella interrupted gently.

"I've been feeling lost for a while now."

He didn't ask why.

He simply waited.

She appreciated that.

Most people rushed to fill silence.

Victor seemed comfortable letting it exist.

After a long moment, she spoke.

"I was supposed to get married."

Victor's fingers paused around his glass.

He looked at her quietly.

"No sympathy."

No dramatic reaction.

Just quiet attention.

"The wedding was in three weeks."

She let out a humorless laugh.

"I even had my dress."

Victor still said nothing.

She continued.

"I found out he cheated."

The words sounded lighter than they felt.

Maybe because saying them aloud made them real.

"I'm sorry," Victor said softly.

Ella shook her head.

"I don't need people to be sorry for me."

"I wasn't saying it because I pity you."

She looked up.

"I was saying it because betrayal hurts."

Something about the way he said it made her curious.

"You sound like you know."

Victor's smile faded.

"I do."

Ella wanted to ask more.

She didn't.

Everyone had a story they weren't ready to tell.

Instead, she lifted her glass.

"To bad decisions."

Victor raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think ending your engagement was a bad decision."

She laughed.

"No."

"I meant coming to this bar."

He pretended to look offended.

"You're regretting meeting me already?"

"I'm still deciding."

"Ouch."

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"I thought we had something special."

She laughed harder this time.

People turned to look.

She quickly covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry."

Victor smiled.

"Don't be."

"I think that laugh has been waiting a long time to come out."

Her smile slowly faded.

"I forgot what it felt like."

Victor looked at her for a long moment.

"You shouldn't."

Silence settled between them again.

Not uncomfortable.

Just honest.

The waitress placed their drinks on the table.

Victor thanked her before turning back to Ella.

"So..."

"What happens now?"

Ella frowned.

"Now?"

"You've left him."

"You're studying abroad."

"What comes next?"

She stared at the condensation on her glass.

"I honestly don't know."

Victor nodded.

"I like that answer."

"You do?"

"It means your life isn't over."

She looked confused.

"If you already had every answer..."

He smiled.

"...there'd be nothing left to discover."

Those words stayed with her.

She had spent weeks believing her story had ended.

Maybe...

It was simply changing chapters.

Victor checked his watch.

"It's stopped raining."

Ella glanced toward the window.

The streets shimmered beneath the city lights.

People walked hand in hand.

Street performers had gathered near the square.

The city suddenly looked alive.

Victor stood.

Ella looked up.

"Leaving already?"

He smiled.

"Only if you want me to."

She surprised herself.

"I don't."

He extended his hand.

"Come with me."

She looked at his hand.

Then at him.

"Where?"

"I don't know."

She laughed.

"That's not very reassuring."

"I've found the best memories usually begin with people who don't know where they're going."

She hesitated.

"You trust strangers very easily."

Victor shook his head.

"No."

"I trust my instincts."

"And what are your instincts saying?"

He looked directly into her eyes.

"That you deserve one good memory tonight."

Something inside Ella softened.

She placed her hand in his.

His grip was warm.

Gentle.

Not possessive.

Just enough to tell her she wouldn't be walking alone.

Together, they stepped out of the bar.

The night air was cool.

The city smelled of fresh rain.

They wandered through narrow streets lined with glowing cafés and flower boxes hanging from old brick buildings.

A violinist played beneath a streetlamp.

An elderly couple danced without caring who was watching.

Victor stopped.

"Would you dance if someone asked?"

Ella laughed.

"Absolutely not."

"So that's a no."

"That's a very strong no."

"What if nobody was watching?"

She looked around.

"People are always watching."

Victor smiled.

"Then let's keep walking."

Hours slipped by unnoticed.

They talked about books.

Music.

Childhood dreams.

Embarrassing memories.

The conversation flowed so naturally that Ella forgot to check her phone.

For the first time in weeks...

Daniel never crossed her mind.

As they reached the hotel entrance, both of them stopped.

Neither seemed eager to end the night.

Victor slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I guess this is goodnight."

Ella nodded.

"I guess."

He smiled.

"It was nice meeting you, Ella."

"You too."

Victor turned and began walking away.

Ella watched him disappear down the sidewalk.

One step.

Two steps.

Three.

Her heart started beating faster.

If he left now...

She would probably never see him again.

Just another stranger.

Just another city.

Just another missed chance.

"Victor."

He stopped.

Turned.

Their eyes met across the quiet street.

Ella took a slow breath.

Then walked toward him.

She stopped only inches away.

"So..."

Her voice barely rose above a whisper.

"Would you like to come upstairs?"

Victor searched her face.

Not with excitement.

Not with assumption.

With concern.

"You've had a difficult night."

"I don't want you making a decision you'll regret tomorrow."

Ella held his gaze.

"This isn't because of Daniel."

"Then why?"

A small smile touched her lips.

"Because tonight..."

She paused.

"...I finally remembered what it feels like to breathe."

Victor didn't answer immediately.

The silence stretched between them.

Then he took one slow step closer.

"I don't want to be your escape, Ella."

She swallowed.

"I know."

"I want to be your choice."

Her heart skipped.

The hotel doors slid open behind them.

The warm lights spilled onto the sidewalk.

Ella looked at him.

Still waiting.

Still hoping.