The Woman of His Dreams
The news about Lara's miraculous healed arm spread like wildfire across the town. People came from every corner—curious, disbelieving, and full of questions that echoed wherever Lara went. Some whispered of magic, others of miracles, but most simply stared in wide-eyed wonder.
By mid-morning, Lara had retreated to the former building, slipping into her familiar routine of cooking for her friends and occasional customers. It was the only way she could drown out the noise, the stares, and the endless murmurs of disbelief.
The sharp sizzle of oil and the scent of onions frying filled the air as she worked at the stove, her mind half-occupied with thoughts of Elias, the past few days, and the bizarre events unfolding around her. The kitchen was small and cramped, but the familiarity brought comfort—something steady amidst the ever-changing chaos.
It wasn't long before the door creaked open, and a small group of her usual customers stepped in. She turned to greet them, but their eyes immediately fell on her arm.
"Oh my God," one of the women whispered, her hand flying to her mouth.
"It's true!" another cried, pointing at Lara's fully restored hand as if it were made of gold. "You—how—?"
Lara sighed inwardly. She smiled politely, lifting a ladle and stirring the pot as if nothing unusual had happened. "Are you here for food or gossip?"
"Lara!" The first woman practically shrieked. "Don't pretend this isn't the most insane thing we've ever seen! Your arm—it's like it was never gone. Did you see a healer? Who did this? What happened?"
Before Lara could respond, more voices filtered in. The doorway grew crowded as friends, strangers, and even some of the town's elders peered in, their expressions ranging from awe to disbelief. The room buzzed with whispers.
"Can she heal others too?"
"Who did this for her?"
"Is it sorcery?"
Lara wiped her hands on her apron, cheeks flushed with both irritation and discomfort. "Enough!" she said firmly, her voice cutting through the noise. "Yes, my arm is healed. No, I'm not explaining how. Now, if you're here to eat, sit down. If not, leave."
The crowd settled reluctantly, and Lara turned back to her stove, letting out a small breath of relief. But as the noise died down, another door opened softly behind her. She felt his presence before she even turned.
Elias.
He stepped inside wearing a colorful shirt—something entirely out of place for him. Deep greens, splashes of red, and subtle gold lined the fabric, catching the light. It was simple yet vibrant, a stark contrast to the muted, weathered clothes he typically wore. But it wasn't just the shirt. Elias held a small box in one hand, and there was something else in his expression—soft, warm, teasing.
"What's the occasion?" Lara asked, eyeing the box suspiciously.
Elias didn't answer immediately. Instead, he set the box down on the counter and opened it. Inside sat a modest cake, cream swirled delicately across its surface. It wasn't extravagant, but to Lara, it might as well have been a treasure.
"For you," Elias said quietly, holding her gaze.
Lara blinked, startled. "Why?"
Elias smiled faintly and stepped closer, lifting a hand to brush a strand of hair from her cheek. "Because you've been through enough, and you deserve something sweet."
The gentle touch made Lara's heart thud painfully in her chest. She felt heat crawl up her neck, her face betraying her in its sudden flush. "You… you didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," he interrupted softly.
Before she could respond, Elias leaned in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a firm, lingering hug. For a moment, Lara froze, overwhelmed by the scent of him—something like smoke and cedar, mixed with warmth she couldn't describe.
"You don't always have to be strong, Lara," he murmured against her ear, his voice so low only she could hear. "Not with me."
Her heart jumped in her chest, and she felt something ache deep inside her. She had spent so long being guarded, keeping herself at arm's length from everyone. But Elias… Elias saw through her defenses like no one else could.
When he pulled back, his lips brushed the edge of her forehead—soft and deliberate.
Lara's breath hitched, her eyes wide as she stared up at him.
"Are you two serious right now?" Jack's voice broke the spell, sharp and incredulous.
The moment shattered like glass, and Lara turned to see Jack standing by the doorway with his arms crossed. His expression was half-teasing, half-disbelieving. Behind him, Becca leaned against the wall, eyebrows raised.
"Are we interrupting something?" Becca asked dryly, smirking.
"More like being subjected to lovey-dovey nonsense," Jack grumbled. "Honestly, get a room."
Lara opened her mouth to protest, flustered, but Elias didn't give her the chance. He turned calmly toward them, his lips curled into a sly smile.
"Why should we hide it?" Elias said, his tone easy and confident. He glanced down at Lara, his gray eyes impossibly soft. "She's the woman of my dreams."
The words hit Lara like a blow to the chest. Her face turned scarlet, and her heart pounded so loudly she was certain everyone could hear it.
Becca gasped, covering her mouth, and Jack nearly dropped the cup of water he was holding. "Wait—what?"
Elias didn't stop there. Slowly, deliberately, he turned back to Lara. In front of everyone—friends, customers, and strangers alike—he took her face in his hands, tilting it gently upward. Lara froze, stunned into silence, but her body betrayed her as her eyes fluttered shut.
And then he kissed her.
It was soft—so soft that for a moment, Lara thought she was dreaming. The world fell away, the murmurs and gasps of the others fading into nothingness. His lips moved against hers with aching slowness, like a promise unspoken, a declaration wrapped in tenderness.
By the time he pulled back, Lara felt dizzy, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter for support. Elias smiled at her—gentle, knowing—like he could see every thought she couldn't put into words.
Jack groaned loudly, breaking the silence. "Great. Now I'm definitely leaving."
Becca, however, grinned like she'd just won a bet. "I knew it," she whispered, nudging Jack as they headed toward the door. "I knew there was something between them."
The others slowly followed, chattering excitedly as they left the room.
Lara stood frozen, her face still flushed as Elias leaned casually against the counter beside her.
"Woman of your dreams?" she finally managed, her voice shaky but teasing.
Elias shrugged, his lips quirking into that same faint smile. "It's true."
Lara stared at him, searching for any trace of mockery or insincerity. There was none. For the first time in a long time, she found herself speechless.
And as Elias quietly slid the box of cake toward her, she couldn't help but smile.