Chapter 2 Elena

It was still morning, sunlight filtered in through sheer curtains, and the salty air from the sea was easy to smell.

As she walked in her kitchen barefoot, Elena Hart was still half-dressed, her hair pulled up in a messy bun and robe.

She barely had everything from her suitcase into the room, but she was hungry for a coffee already.

The kettle was making a loud noise on the stove while she recorded her thoughts on the notebook.

Ideas.

Fragments.

Some blog titles for use.

The sticky notes were not connecting to the wall.

After everything that happened, the thoughts wouldn't form the same way into words.

A feeling of hunger from her stomach interrupted her thoughts.

"Okay.

My Let's get the coffee and breakfast somewhere else, she said.

"Depending on where you find yourself, there might be awkward moments try waiting to shake things up."

The coffee shop was placed in the corner of Seabreeze's boardwalk, and its menu was shown on a chalkboard right outside.

People in the area sat out on the patio, quietly saying hello to each other.

That made it one of those places where every person seemed to know every other person, eventually.

Elena went inside, her eyes opening against the snug light of wood and cinnamon. She got in the short queue and looked over the menu for a longer period than needed.

"A tall cappuccino and a cherry Danish, please," a person ordered in front of her.

Finding a way to skew the sentences and phrases.

Her heartbeat became faster.

Of course.

The same hoodie the cold man wore yesterday was on him, and his facial expression gave nothing away.

Even with the warm and cozy setting, being next to him made her feel a cold shiver.

He turned around and noticed her.

Elena smiled a little bit, but with a feeling of embarrassment.

"Morning."

He blinked a single time, slowly choosing to answer her.

"You!!!......You keep showing up," he said softly.

She managed to not show frustration by rolling her eyes.

''Don't sound too thrilled''.

Sounding too enthusiastic could be a bad choice.

Taking his coffee and Danish from the barista, he said nothing and just nodded.

"Are you following me?"

A laugh came out of her in a sudden huff.

"Please.

If I wished to torture myself, I'd go back and examine my high school writing.

He couldn't stop a tiny snort from getting out.

Before she even started to feel good about her little success, she felt a customer ram into her, making Elena crash right into Liam's chest.

Even though the coffee was tipping out of his cup, he was quick enough to catch it.

He reacted and steadied her, placing his hand on her forearm and also at her waist.

The two of them stopped as if their bodies were frozen.

The two people stand chest to chest.

Eyes locked.

Elena's heart started beating faster as she withdrew.

"Sorry. That was....wow.

I am very grateful.

His jaw was making a clicking sound.

It might help next time to ask if you want to be able to fall into me.

She raised one of her eyebrows.

Do you usually think that someone apologizing to you means they are being flirtatious?

He didn't reply and just walked away.

After a while, Elena headed over to Bennett's Market, a local store, with just a messy list and her phone using the "notes" app.

It remained peaceful until she tried to take the last bottle of oat milk while another person did the same.

She felt fingers that belonged to the man with the green hood touch her.

Ana raised her eyes upwards.

"Seriously, huh?" she asked, making eye contact with Liam.

You usually turn up just when I am not anticipating it.

"Are you perhaps just present all the time in every place?"

Both kids looked at the bottle for a short time.

"Feel free to have it," he replied and moved his hand back.

"I am sure I must."

I hope I won't have to share your area with you in the future.

He showed a momentary expression that seemed to be irritation or amusement.

She wasn't able to determine.

Nevertheless, he take the bottle and set it carefully inside the basket.

Is this the way you act all the time, I wanted to know.

Is your grumpiness a constant quality?

A playful shape appeared on his lips.

Almost a smile flashed across the waitress's face.

The internet stopped working, just as if it wasn't there.

She doubted if he intentionally ducked out of her life after he'd touched her heart.

She noticed that he was giving her a glance as she walked her shopping cart to the frozen section.

Just briefly.

Just enough.

For the very first time, something happened in her brain, stirring her memory.

It was something in the actor's profile that stood out to me.

His unique way of walking.

The most would be his eyes.

Familiar.

When did she meet him before?

In the evening, there was a pleasant breeze with a salty smell and the hint of rain coming.

So as to clear her head, Elena walked alone at the beach before dinner, hoping it would help her separate a bit from Liam's influence.

She brought off her sandals and felt the sand caressing her toes.

I could hear kids laughing from afar, the ocean softly hitting the beach, and dogs barking cheerfully as they gave chasing sticks a try.

For circumstances, everything was calm and quiet.

That is until she was hit by a tennis ball approaching her face.

She avoided the attack only to trip on seaweed and end up sitting on the ground.

There was a loud bark sounding close to her right behind.

"Max!," a booming voice said.

"Heel!"

Elena made a loud sigh as she wiped sand from her elbows.

"Really?"

Liam went jogging and a golden retriever called Shep arrived right behind him.

Asking if she is hurt, he did a thorough scan of her body.

Just as she started venting, she noticed his hand offerring itself to her.

She said, "Twice in one day," as she put her hand in his.

"You must have some bad luck on you."

You're placing yourself in trouble.

He lifted her gently and with no effort because his hold was firm.

There was a gentle tingling sensation where their hands made contact.

Again, the dog barked and sat next to them, while wagging his tail eagerly.

This is named Max," said Liam.

"He's harmless. Just...hyper."

Elena sat down to rub Max along his head.

"Hi Max.

One person in the room knows how to smile.

Liam puffed his cheeks and folded his arms.

"I smile."

"Really?

When?

Do you use the mirror to check how you practice?

You like to ask many questions.

I consider myself a writer.

After looking at her for a while, the teasing disappeared.

What is the type of writer I am?

"Journalist.

Or I was that way.

Right now, it seems like I am simply trying to make sense of things.

He moved his head up and down slowly.

"Why Seabreeze?"

Elena hesitated.

I can say that I needed a new beginning.

Somewhere quiet.

With less dishonesty and improper behavior.

As he saw her hair blown by the wind, he looked at her differently for a short time, not with irritation or coldness.

Just...curious.

"You?"

He answered shortly:

"Same."

Was it easier for you if there were less lying and cheating too?

A shadow appeared on her boyfriend's face, and she felt sorry for her joke.

Max was still pulling on his lead when he swiftly started walking forward and yanked gently on Max's leash.

See you sometime, Elena.

She blinked.

"You know what my name is."

You said this on the previous day.

The moment you introduced yourself to a neighbor who treated you in an impolite manner."

He looked back and walked away with Max next to him.

Elena was stunned as she stood where she was.

The shock of her moment was greater from noticing he knew her name or that he actually used it.