Chapter 1 The Recurring Dream

Lysandra was a city of tall buildings and busy streets. But for Lila, the nights were different. Every night, she had the same dream. A big open field, lit by the moon, and a man standing far away. She could never see him clearly, and before she could get any closer, she'd wake up.

Rubbing her eyes, Lila looked at the time. 6:45 AM. Time to get ready for work. As she got up, the dream still played in her mind. Was it just stress? She was leading a big building project, after all.

Starting her day, Lila tried to shake off the dream. But deep down, she felt that it was more than just a dream. She felt connected to it, to him. And she was determined to find out why.

Lila's apartment overlooked the city's east side, a maze of roads, smaller buildings, and parks. As she sipped her morning coffee, she gazed out of the window, lost in thought. The city was waking up, and so was she – but not just to her job and daily routine, but to the nagging feeling that there was something more, something tied to her dreams.She had always been intuitive, often feeling things more deeply than those around her. Growing up, her grandmother used to say that she had "the sight" – an old family legend that some women in their lineage could see beyond what was in front of them. As a child, she'd dismissed it as just another bedtime story. But now, she wasn't so sure.Pushing the dream from her mind, Lila prepared for work. She worked at 'Skyline Designs', one of the leading architectural firms in Lysandra. Today was an important day. They were presenting a design pitch to a major client.Arriving at her office, she was greeted by her best friend and colleague, Mia. "Big day today," Mia said, offering Lila a reassuring smile. "Ready to wow them with your designs?"Lila grinned back, "Always!"The morning was a blur of meetings, phone calls, and final adjustments to her presentation. Yet, in the quiet moments, her mind drifted back to the moonlit meadow and the mysterious figure.Lunchtime arrived, and Mia, sensing Lila's distraction, asked, "Spill it! What's on your mind?"Lila hesitated for a moment before sharing her recurring dream. Mia, ever the rational one, suggested it might be due to work stress or maybe a random memory playing tricks.Lila wasn't convinced, "It feels too real, Mia. Every time I wake up, I feel this... connection. Like he's trying to tell me something, or maybe I'm supposed to find him."

Mia raised an eyebrow, taking a bite of her sandwich. "So you think this dream-guy is someone real in Lysandra? Or maybe he's just a figment of your imagination, a sign that you should be dating more."

Lila chuckled. "Maybe, but it doesn't feel like just any dream. There's a pull, an intensity. I can almost feel the cool grass beneath my feet, the distant sound of a soft melody playing... it's all too vivid."

Mia looked thoughtful. "You know, my grandma used to say that dreams are our soul's way of working things out. Maybe there's something unresolved in your life that this dream is pointing you towards. Or maybe it's just the spicy food you had last night!"

Lila laughed. "Always the voice of reason, aren't you? Let's just get through today's presentation. I'll think about dreamy moonlit guys later."

The afternoon was hectic. Lila and her team finalized their model and went over their presentation multiple times. The client, a wealthy businessman named Mr. Henderson, was known for his exacting standards and sharp critiques.

As Lila walked into the presentation room, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She started her pitch, showcasing her designs, emphasizing functionality and aesthetics, and answering questions with confidence. The team had worked hard, and it showed.

The presentation concluded to appreciative nods and a round of applause. Mr. Henderson approached Lila, "Impressive work, Ms. Lila. I look forward to seeing this design come to life."

"Thank you, Mr. Henderson. It's a project we're all passionate about," Lila replied, shaking his hand.

Exiting the boardroom, Mia hugged Lila. "You nailed it! Celebration dinner tonight?"

"Absolutely!" Lila agreed, her earlier unease forgotten in the success of the day.

That evening, as Lila and Mia enjoyed their celebratory dinner at a local bistro, Lila's phone buzzed. An unknown number flashed on the screen. Hesitantly, she answered.

A deep voice resonated, "Is this Lila?"

"Yes, who's this?"

"There's something you need to see. Tomorrow night, Luna Park, by the old carousel, 9 PM."

The line went dead. Lila looked at her phone, puzzled and slightly alarmed. "Who was that?"

Mia leaned in, curiosity piqued. "What did they want?"

Lila relayed the mysterious message. Mia's face turned serious, "Lila, it could be a prank. Or worse, someone trying to mess with you after today's success. You shouldn't go."

Lila nodded, uneasy. "I know, but what if it's related to the dream? The mention of 'Luna Park' and its connection to the moon can't be a mere coincidence."

Mia sighed, "If you're considering going, promise me you won't go alone."

Lila agreed, "Promise."

The next day, the mystery of the phone call weighed heavily on Lila's mind. Work distractions couldn't keep her thoughts from the upcoming night. She felt torn between curiosity and caution.

As night approached, Lila decided she needed answers. But she wouldn't go alone. Calling a trusted friend, Jake, she explained her predicament.

Jake, always the protective type, agreed instantly, "I'll be there. We'll figure this out together."

Little did Lila know, this meeting would be the catalyst, drawing her deeper into the world of her dreams, where reality and fantasy intertwined, and her life would never be the same again.

"We'll figure this out together," Jake reassured her.

Lila felt slightly better knowing Jake would be by her side. They had known each other since their school days, and she trusted him implicitly.

The evening sun began to set, painting Lysandra in shades of orange and purple. Lila dressed in simple jeans and a hoodie, wanting to blend in. She met Jake outside Luna Park, its grand entrance illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.

"Thanks for doing this," Lila whispered as they approached the old carousel, its once vibrant colors now faded with time.

"No problem. Just stay close, okay?" Jake replied, scanning the area.

They waited. The minutes ticked by, and the only sound was the distant laughter of families and couples enjoying the park's other attractions.

Just as Lila began to think it was a prank, a soft melody floated through the air. It was eerily familiar, the same one from her dreams. Drawn to it, Lila began to walk in its direction, with Jake following close behind.

The music led them to a secluded part of the park, an old stone amphitheater overgrown with ivy. In its center stood a figure, bathed in moonlight. As Lila stepped closer, the figure turned to face them.

It was a man, seemingly in his late twenties, with striking features and intense eyes that seemed to look right into Lila's soul. He was the spitting image of the man from her dreams.

"You came," he said, his voice deep and resonant.

Lila, taken aback, stammered, "Who are you?"

He smiled, a mix of sadness and warmth. "My name is Ryker. We have much to discuss, Lila. Our fates, it seems, are intertwined."

Jake stepped protectively in front of Lila. "Start talking then. Why did you call her here?"

Ryker's gaze shifted to Jake, acknowledging his protective stance. "All in good time. But for now, know this, Lila: Your dreams are not mere dreams. They are memories, echoes of our past... and possibly our future."

Lila's heart raced. The mysteries of her dreams, the connection she felt to this stranger, it was all coming to a head. And she was about to dive deep into a world she never knew existed.