The conversation between Stella and me flowed so easily, it was almost unsettling. It wasn't often I clicked with someone this fast, but something about her felt… familiar.
She leaned back in her chair, sipping the last of her coffee while I took the time to really look at her. She was a hot chick—no doubt about that. The kind of girl that made people turn their heads when she walked into a room.
Stella wore a black leather jacket, snug enough to emphasize her slim but athletic frame. Her matching leather trousers only added to the whole bad-girl look, and sitting beside her was a sleek black helmet.
I smirked, crossing my arms. "You ride?"
She glanced at me, then at the helmet, like she hadn't realized she'd left that little clue out in the open. "Yeah," she admitted. "Power bike. It's parked just outside."
That caught my attention. "Wait—there's this one I saw earlier, a real beauty. Matte black, sharp edges, looked like it belonged in an action movie. That yours?"
Her lips curled into a smirk. "That's the one."
"Damn," I muttered, shaking my head in approval. "That's badass."
She tilted her head. "You ride?"
I laughed. "Nah, never got the chance. But I've always thought it'd be cool."
Stella leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. "I could take you for a spin sometime."
I raised an eyebrow. "Tempting. But I live just around the corner, so I guess today's not the day I fulfill my biker dreams."
She chuckled. "Fair enough."
Instead, we exchanged numbers, saving each other's contact under simple names—Stella and Rose. No fancy nicknames, no unnecessary details. Just that.
As we stood to leave, I stole one last glance at her face. Something nagged at me, like I'd seen her before. Not just in passing, but somewhere important.
And then it hit me.
Years ago.
A family banquet.
It was my mother's birthday, and the event had been filled with unfamiliar faces—business partners, old friends, people I barely remembered. But I had seen Stella before. Not in leather, not with a bike, but younger. Dressed more formally, standing among the other guests, her expression unreadable even back then.
My stomach twisted slightly at the realization, but I pushed it down.
Coincidence. It had to be.
"See you around, Rose," Stella said, giving me a slight nod before slipping on her helmet.
"Yeah," I said, watching as she strode outside to her bike.
I turned in the opposite direction, heading home, but that nagging feeling wouldn't go away.