Amara shook off the lingering warmth of her brief encounter with Elijah as she entered Silent Hill Café. The smell of roasted coffee and baked bread wrapped around her like a soft blanket. She found a corner table, opened her notebook, and tried to focus on the assignment her editor had handed her.
But Elijah's grin, his sharp gaze, the way he had said her name — it refused to leave her mind.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden bump of a chair. She looked up to see Elijah standing there, holding two cups of coffee.
"You forgot your order," he said, placing one in front of her. His brown eyes were steady, almost challenging.
Amara blinked. "I… didn't forget anything."
"Sure," he replied, smiling faintly. "I thought you might like a second chance."
She laughed, a little nervously. "You're… bold."
"Life's too short for small gestures," he said, leaning against the table. "Besides, I'm a believer in fate. Or coincidence. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference."
She stirred her coffee, suddenly very aware of the warmth between them. The café buzzed around them — other patrons chatting, the barista calling out orders — but it felt like the city had disappeared.
"So," she finally said, "fate or coincidence? You decide."
He leaned closer, voice soft. "I already did."
Amara felt her pulse quicken, and for the first time, she wondered if Silent Hill wasn't just the name of a café… but the place where her life might quietly start to change.