Elevator: Chance Encounter

Unexpected Company at Ninjago Café

Notes:

Hey guys, due to the good response's I've been getting I will be continuing this story. Thank you for the feedback it means a lot to me, enjoy the new chapter!

Extra: Can you guys guess who this not so mysterious character is ;)

As we stepped into the café, the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans enveloped my senses, coaxing a pleasant smile onto my face. Lloyd, too, emitted a soft hum of delight, savouring the enticing fragrance that filled the air. The café exuded a dark and cosy ambiance, tailor-made for the crisp embrace of autumn and winter weather.

Lloyd's gaze fixated on a particular table, drawing my attention. Following his lead, we strolled over to the chosen spot, and with a shared understanding, we settled down, our belongings finding a place on the table.

Lloyd, turning his attention to me, casually asks, "Ready to order anything yet?" A subtle nod from me signals our readiness, and we make our way to the register. As we approach, I catch a glimpse of the barista raising an intrigued eyebrow at Lloyd, a detail I momentarily dismiss. When it comes time to place our orders, I request a medium cappuccino, and Lloyd, with an easy going demeanour, opts for the same. Before I can react, I witness the swift tap of his card on the reader, and he seamlessly takes care of the payment for my order. "Lloyd! You didn't have to do that, I could've paid for it myself," I exclaim, a mixture of surprise and gratitude washing over me. The unexpected gesture elicits butterflies deep within—what a gentleman.

He responds with a nonchalant smile, his eyes reflecting a hint of mischief, "Well, consider it a small gesture in return for surviving the elevator saga together." The exchange leaves us both smiling and giggling.

As we settled back into our seats, a surge of gratitude enveloped me, especially when I realized he had chosen to sit across from me. From this vantage point, I could unabashedly admire his captivating features. The colour green seemed tailor-made for him, accentuating his beauty effortlessly. Clad in a charming green sweater paired with light blue jeans, he exuded a casual yet stylish warmth, a perfect complement to the cooling days.

His eyes met mine, and a genuine smile played on his lips. "Shall we continue with the game?" he proposed, a subtle crinkle forming in the corners of his eyes, revealing the amusement within. I couldn't help but chuckle in response, the exchange fostering a light-hearted atmosphere. "You bet," I replied, the prospect of continuing our game adding a delightful layer to our unexpected coffee rendezvous.

"Whose turn is it again?" I inquire, a playful smirk gracing my lips as I pretend to forget. Without missing a beat, he promptly replies, "Actually, it's yours. You've got the memory of a goldfish," accompanied by a good-natured laugh. I feel a light blush tinge my cheeks, partly from the teasing and partly from the sheer adorableness of his laughter.

His chuckle resonates, and I can't help but appreciate the charm in that sound. His impeccable memory is like a secret weapon, capable of making any girl swoon. As this thought flits through my mind, I find myself smiling, thinking, "Ah, so cute."

"Okay, Mr. Big Brain, no need to bully me and my memory skills," I counter with a laugh, playfully joining in the banter.

"Hmm, are you an early bird or a night owl? This is quite a serious question, you know," I ask, raising an eyebrow but allowing a small smile to play on my lips. His eyes crinkle with amusement, and he responds with a chuckle, "Well, that's a question I wasn't expecting. I'm quite the night owl, although circumstances are turning me into an early bird." He rolls his eyes playfully, a touch of nostalgia colouring his words as he reminisces about his past. The light-hearted exchange reveals a glimpse of his personality.

"I'm satisfied with that answer; it means we can still be friends," I reply, a playful smile tugging at the corners of my lips. He raises an eyebrow, responding with a teasing, "Oh, is that so? Wasn't aware there was a wrong answer," punctuated with laughter. The banter flows effortlessly, creating a light-hearted atmosphere.

As the laughter subsides, our attention shifts to the arrival of our order. The visual appeal of our drinks is nothing short of spectacular, and I can't help but feel a surge of excitement. "Our drinks look AMAZINGGGG," I mentally exclaim, the anticipation of indulging in those delightful concoctions adding another layer of enjoyment to this moment.

In that fleeting pause, a sudden realization dawns on me — is this a date or just a casual hangout? The distinction becomes a playful contemplation in my mind. Wait, what is this? I ponder silently. A date? A hangout? No, definitely just a hangout. We just met, I reassure myself. Yet, as I sneakily glance up at him, a subtle hum of approval escapes my lips. Whatever it is, I sure as hell don't mind this.

Lloyd seamlessly continues the game, throwing in, "If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?" Intrigued, I raise my brows and remark, "Hmm, I'm going to have to ponder this one; it's quite a challenging question."

As I delve into contemplation, my eyebrows furrow with concentration, mentally sifting through various exotic creatures. Suddenly, with a spark of inspiration, I confidently declare, "A dragon!" My theatrical proclamation hangs in the air as Lloyd gasps—not for the reasons I anticipated.

"Oh, wow! And why is that?" he ponders, genuine curiosity etched on his face.

"Well, they're pretty cool and enormous, but most of all, they can fly," I explain with enthusiasm. "Just imagine how incredible it would be to soar through the air. It must be nothing short of amazing." He nods in delighted agreement almost as if he is impressed with the choice of my answer.

Amid our banter, a flicker of movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye. A cascade of white hair signals the entrance of someone intriguing into the café. As she fully emerges into view, I'm genuinely wowed; she possesses an almost model-like allure. Her confident demeanour captivates me, and I find it difficult to peel my eyes away. Yet, beneath the surface of admiration, an unsettling vibe emanates from her presence, leaving me intrigued and cautious. However, as quickly as that, my focus shifts back to Lloyd, and a smile naturally deepens on my lips. There's something about him that effortlessly draws me in, creating a comforting contrast to the fleeting intrigue sparked by the mysterious newcomer.

Captivated by the depth of Lloyd's big, soft green eyes, I find myself subconsciously asking, "Who did you get your eyes from? They're beautiful." His gaze momentarily averts, a faint blush gracing his face at the unexpected compliment. After a quick recovery, he faces me again, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "I'm actually not too sure. Probably skipped a generation in my family, haha,".

The moment abruptly stilled when a chair creaked, and an unexpected presence invited themselves to our table.