The morning air was crisp as Albie stood in front of the main door of his apartment building, his expression calm but slightly distracted. Across from him, just outside the building, was Rose, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized coat, her lips curving into a polite smile. The faint murmur of their small talk floated in the space between them, but the words were lost to the wind-inaudible to anyone passing by.
It seemed like Rose was about to leave after her sudden visit this morning. Albie offered her a final nod as they exchanged pleasantries once more. He waved at her as she turned on her heel and walked away slowly, the distance between them growing with every step. Rose glanced over her shoulder briefly, catching Albie's figure framed in the doorway. His hand was still raised in a small, friendly wave before he turned and disappeared inside, the door clicking shut behind him.
With a soft sigh, Albie headed straight for the elevator, his mind already drifting to his commissions. He stepped into the lift, the faint hum of the machinery filling the silence as he prepared to get back to his work-another day of deadlines, brushes, and sketches. But beneath the surface, something weighed on him, an unspoken heaviness lingering from his earlier conversation with Rose.
Meanwhile, Rose continued her walk toward her motel, her thoughts spinning. She passed by the familiar small café where Lila worked. As her eyes flicked to the front of the café, she froze, her gaze locking onto a curious scene through the window.
Lila was standing by one of the tables, her apron tied neatly around her waist. But it wasn't Lila that caught Rose's attention. It was the figure sitting in front of her-a woman with long, straight black hair that cascaded down her back, wearing dark sunglasses, a gray hoodie, and casual jeans. The woman seemed relaxed, but something about her struck Rose as off. A feeling of unease stirred in her chest.
Rose quickly ducked behind a nearby pole, crouching slightly behind some small bushes. Her heart raced as she peeked around the corner, trying to get a clearer view of the mysterious figure. Who is she? Rose wondered, squinting to make out the woman's features beneath her sunglasses. Something about her felt familiar, but Rose couldn't quite place it.
The moment pulled her back to her earlier conversation with Albie. The words echoed in her mind, sharp and unsettling.
"What was her name? Your cheating ex, I mean."
Albie had hesitated, his voice low but steady as he revealed the name.
"Eleanor Kent. That's her name. Eleanor Kent."
Rose had been stunned, her heart dropping into her stomach. She hadn't been prepared for the answer.
"No way... Eleanor Kent?" she had gasped, her face paling as the name sank in. Eleanor Kent-the world-famous model and actress. Albie's ex.
The realization had hit her like a freight train. Albie's ex wasn't just anyone-she was Eleanor Kent. How could her quiet, artistic cousin have once dated someone so wildly famous? The shock was overwhelming, leaving Rose reeling.
---
Back to the café, where Lila was standing beside the table of none other than Eleanor Kent. The café buzzed softly around them, but the tension at the table felt palpable. Eleanor's fingers toyed with her coffee cup as she looked up at Lila, her gaze sharp and guarded.
"How do you know my name?" Eleanor's voice was calm but carried an edge of curiosity.
Lila's eyes widened in realization. She quickly waved her hands in front of her, as if to dispel any suspicion.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Eleanor! I didn't mean to intrude," Lila stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'm a huge fan! Seeing you here in this little town, well, it really shocked me. I didn't expect it at all." She let out a nervous laugh. "I didn't mean for my question to be so personal."
At that, Eleanor's expression softened slightly, though her unease was still evident. She offered a small, awkward grin, and Lila could see the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"Thank you for the recognition," Eleanor said, her tone gentler now. "And I'm sorry if I came off a bit... harsh."
Lila's warm smile returned, her nerves easing.
"No need to apologize! I get it, really," she said, quickly introducing herself. "I'm Lila, by the way. I work here as a barista, and I've been following your work for ages. Your energy on screen, especially that spark in your eyes when you're in the zone, it's so inspiring. It pushes me to do my best at my job, too."
Eleanor blinked, clearly taken aback by the sincerity of Lila's words. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, but then a soft, genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"That's... really kind of you to say," Eleanor replied, her voice quieter now, almost as if she was unaccustomed to such personal praise.
Feeling the ice between them beginning to melt, Eleanor gestured to the seat across from her. "Why don't you sit with me for a bit? I could use the company."
Lila's eyes lit up in surprise and excitement. "Really? I'd love that!" she said, eagerly taking the seat in front of Eleanor. She could hardly believe she was sitting down with someone she admired so much.
Once seated, Lila leaned forward slightly. "I hope I'm not prying again, but... what brings you to Javakarta? It's a small town. Not exactly the place I'd expect to see someone like you."
Eleanor's smile faded just a little, replaced with a thoughtful expression as she traced the rim of her cup with her finger. "I came here looking for someone. An old friend." Her voice grew softer, more nostalgic. "We were close, once. Very close. But things... they went wrong, and I had to leave. I've been trying to find them ever since, but they seemed to have disappeared."
Lila watched her carefully, sensing the weight behind Eleanor's words.
"I only found out where they might be yesterday," Eleanor continued, glancing out the window. "I saw a news article about this café, actually. It mentioned how it's become a bit of a local favorite because of the atmosphere, and apparently, this friend of mine comes here every once in a while. So, I'm hoping... maybe I'll see them today."
Lila nodded, smiling sympathetically. "I hope you find them soon. There are a lot of customers who come and go, so I can't say for sure if they'll be here today, but I'm rooting for you. It was really nice talking to you, Eleanor. I should get back to work now, though."
Standing up from the table, Lila gave Eleanor a warm smile. "Good luck."
Eleanor offered a faint smile in return. "Thank you. And thanks for not making a scene. It's nice to just... be."
Lila chuckled softly. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." With a wink, she turned and made her way back to the bar, her steps light. She handed the plate and other items back to her coworkers and resumed her position behind the counter.
Back at her station, Lila's phone buzzed in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out, a smile spreading across her face when she saw the message:
"Hey bb, my head's full of dark clouds :(( Might come by to see you and grab a latte. See u at 4pm xoxo."
Lila's heart warmed, and she quickly typed a reply:
"Okayyy, I'll wait for you!"
She put her phone back in her apron, her thoughts briefly drifting to the sender of the message. But the moment was short-lived as the café started to fill up. Little by little, more customers filtered in, the cozy atmosphere buzzing with the sound of chatter and clinking coffee cups.
Eleanor, still sitting at the window, glanced outside once more, her eyes scanning the street as if waiting for something-or someone.
---
The scene cuts to Rose, crouching behind a pole and small bushes, her eyes wide with disbelief as she witnesses the conversation between Lila and Eleanor. She was still hidden, but her heart raced with confusion. The sight of Eleanor, the famous model and Albie's ex, in such a small town like Javakarta, threw her into a whirlwind of thoughts.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Rose muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes.
As the conversation between Lila and Eleanor continued, her mind started racing.
"Is she a friend of Lila's?" Rose thought, a frown forming on her face. "Wait... does Lila even know who Eleanor is? Could they be... working together? Are they planning to hurt Albert even worse than before?"
Her thoughts spiraled out of control. Each possibility seemed crazier than the last, but her paranoia grew as she watched Lila smiling and sitting down across from Eleanor.
"No way!" Rose whispered sharply, her body tensing. "I have to tell Albert-now!"
Unable to take it any longer, Rose bolted from her hiding spot, running back toward Albie's apartment. Her feet pounded the pavement, but her human form was tiring fast. Panting heavily, she turned into a narrow alleyway, where she quickly transformed into her cat form. Her body shrank, and her orange fur bristled in the sudden rush of energy.
Now in cat form, Rose sprinted down the alley, her tiny paws hitting the ground with speed and precision. She was making good time-until a dog suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
The dog, a large mutt on a walk with its owner, spotted Rose and instantly lunged toward her. Startled, Rose skidded to a stop, her fur standing on end. The dog's owner lost grip of the leash, and before Rose could react, the dog was bounding toward her, barking loudly.
Rose let out a yowl of surprise and bolted in the opposite direction, her heart pounding in her chest. She darted through the alleyways, running through backyards, over fences, and between houses, all while the dog chased after her relentlessly.
"Damn it!" Rose hissed to herself, dodging another barking fit as the dog came dangerously close. "This is not how I imagined this day going!"
She ran past the park, narrowly avoiding a couple of startled joggers, and made a sharp turn, the dog still hot on her heels. She needed to lose it-and fast. Her mind raced as she zigzagged through the streets, desperate to find a way to shake off her pursuer.
The scene then cuts to Albie, sitting in his apartment, his head full of thoughts. He stared blankly at his laptop screen, his mind far away from the commissions he was supposed to be working on. Rose's sudden appearance earlier that morning had thrown him off. The conversation they'd had, forcing him to relive his least favorite memories, had left him feeling unsettled.
He glanced at the time on his phone: 15:45.
A sudden reminder flashed through his mind-he had planned to meet Lila at the café today.
Albie let out a long breath, running his fingers through his hair. The weight of his thoughts and memories was getting too heavy to bear. "I need a break," he muttered to himself, getting up from his chair.
He quickly packed up his work things-laptop, sketchpad, and a few other items-shoving them into his bag. He threw on a blue hoodie and glanced around the apartment, making sure he had everything.
As he stood at the door, he took a moment to center himself. "Lila always knows how to calm me down," he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. He took one last look at his phone before slipping it into his pocket.
With everything in order, Albie headed out of the apartment, locking the door behind him, walking briskly toward Lila's café, eager to clear his mind and perhaps finally shake off the lingering memories that had been haunting him all day.
---
Back to Lila's café. Eleanor, sitting by the window near the door, glanced outside and saw an amusing scene: an orange cat sprinting down the street with a dog hot on its tail. The chase was chaotic and almost comical, making Eleanor chuckle softly as she watched the spectacle unfold right in front of the café.
"Well, that's quite a sight," Eleanor muttered, shaking her head with a bemused smile.
As she continued to observe the street, her attention was drawn to a man walking toward the café. He had dark gray hair and was wearing a blue hoodie with green cargo pants and a side bag. Eleanor's demeanor shifted as she focused intently on the newcomer. Her head tilted slightly, and she followed his approach with keen interest.
The bell above the café door jingled as the man entered, and Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. It was Albie.
As Albie walked in, the soft strains of "Space Heavy" by King Krule began playing in the café, its melancholic notes setting a poignant backdrop to the unfolding scene.
Albie made his way towards Lila, who was at the counter. Seeing him, Lila's face lit up with a bright smile. "Albie!" Lila exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. She greeted him with a warm embrace and a soft kiss on his cheek.
Albie, still holding his smile, murmured, "As usual, Lila, I'll sit right in the corner."
Lila nodded, "Okay, wait for a minute, I'll bring it to you." She then turned to head towards the coffee machine.
As Albie started to walk towards his usual corner table, passing Eleanor, the song's haunting melody filled the space, creating a sense of anticipation. Eleanor's frustration seemed to reach a boiling point. She stood up abruptly, her face a mix of irritation and determination. Removing her sunglasses with a sharp motion, she revealed her annoyed expression.
"Albie," Eleanor called out, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and anger.
Albie froze, his body stiffening as he turned to face her. His eyes widened in shock, and his complexion went pale, as if he'd just seen a ghost. The music's eerie ambiance seemed to mirror his inner turmoil.
"Eleanor..." Albie said softly, his voice trembling slightly.
Lila, who had been preparing Albie's order, glanced up from the counter and noticed the sudden change in Albie's demeanor. Her confusion grew as she saw Eleanor standing there, clearly upset.
"Is everything okay?" Lila asked, stepping closer to Albie and Eleanor, her eyes darting between them.
Eleanor took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I didn't expect to run into you here, Albie. I... need to talk to you. Now."
The ambient music continued to play softly, adding an eerie tone to the scene. The song's melancholy vibe seemed to underscore the tension building
Albie's face remained a mask of shock and fear, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he faced Eleanor. The scene focused on his wide, terrified eyes, emphasizing his emotional state.