The coffee shop was small but cozy, its walls lined with bookshelves filled with a variety of novels and old magazines. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sweet aroma of pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere. Nick and Sylviane found a corner table by the window, the fading light of the day casting a warm glow over the scene.
"So," Nick began as he stirred his coffee, trying to push away the lingering feeling of déjà vu, "how long have you been doing the freelance thing?"
"About three years now," Sylviane answered, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "It's not always stable, but I love the freedom. I can work from anywhere and set my own hours. It's perfect for me."
"That sounds amazing," Nick said, genuinely impressed. "I've always thought about doing something like that. Being your own boss."
"It's not all sunshine and rainbows," she chuckled. "There's a lot of stress involved too, especially when deadlines start piling up."
Nick laughed, feeling more at ease. The conversation was flowing effortlessly now, each of them finding little details they could relate to. But still, something in the back of his mind kept gnawing at him. Why does she feel like someone I've known before?
"So, tell me," Sylviane said, breaking him from his thoughts, "what's your idea of a perfect day?"
Nick hesitated, thinking. "Well, I guess it would involve a lot of downtime. Maybe a quiet morning with some music, followed by a trip to a park to relax. And definitely some time with friends."
"That sounds nice," Sylviane said, her voice soft. "I think I'd enjoy that too. Just… no work and no worries for a day."
Nick nodded. For a moment, they both sat in comfortable silence, the world outside the café window moving around them. He found himself thinking back to when they first met at the fountain. The way she had smiled when he introduced himself, the warmth in her eyes. It felt… natural.
"You know," Nick said slowly, "I've been thinking… you seem really familiar, like I've met you somewhere before."
Sylviane's expression faltered for just a second before she recovered with a smile. "Maybe in another life?" she teased.
But Nick wasn't so sure it was a joke. He frowned, feeling that same strange connection that had been lingering all day.
"I'm serious," he said, leaning forward slightly. "I don't know how to explain it, but I've got this feeling. Like… I know you. Like we've crossed paths before."
Sylviane paused, her eyes softening as she studied him. "I know what you mean," she admitted quietly. "I've felt the same way, but I thought I was just overthinking things."
The silence between them grew thick, charged with something unspoken. For a moment, neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.
[Meanwhile, Patrick and Sylvia]
Patrick and Sylvia had moved to a different café nearby, a more modern spot with neon signs and a lively crowd. They were deep into conversation, but something in the back of Patrick's mind kept nagging at him.
"So, you said you've been doing graphic design for a while?" Patrick asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Yep," Sylvia replied, smiling. "I've worked on a lot of projects, but my dream is to create illustrations for books. Maybe even one day for an anime or something."
"That sounds incredible," Patrick said, genuinely impressed. "I could see your art fitting perfectly in that kind of world. It's got this unique style."
Sylvia's eyes sparkled at the compliment. "Thank you! That's the goal, really. To stand out and create something that people can connect with."
Patrick grinned. "Well, if I ever need a graphic designer for one of my projects, you're the first person I'm calling."
Sylvia laughed. "Deal. But you'll have to write me a killer story first."
They continued talking, but as the conversation wore on, Patrick couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't seeing. Something about this feels off, like I'm missing a key piece.
It was then that Sylvia paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening in realization. "Wait… this is going to sound crazy, but… do you feel like we've met before?"
Patrick blinked, taken aback. This again?
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Why does everyone keep saying that? He could only nod slowly, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. It's… weird."
Sylvia tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Maybe we've crossed paths at some point. Or maybe it's just a feeling. But I swear, there's something about this that feels… familiar."
Patrick looked at her, a slight chuckle escaping him. "You know, it's almost like we were supposed to meet today."
[Back to Nick and Sylviane]
Nick was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Could it be? He stared at his coffee, swirling it gently, trying to make sense of the strange connection he felt.
"I don't know," he said finally, breaking the silence. "But whatever it is, it feels… right. Like this is how things were meant to happen."
Sylviane looked at him, her expression soft but serious. "Yeah. I get that feeling too. It's like the universe just put us in the same place at the same time for a reason."
Nick smiled, though there was a part of him that still couldn't quite grasp what was happening. "Maybe it's just fate."
Sylviane smiled back, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that Nick couldn't ignore. "Maybe it is."