Chapter 169: Their First Meeting After a Decade
Alex stood at the edge of the sidewalk, his gaze fixed on a group of women emerging from a nearby eatery.
Their animated chatter and easy camaraderie painted a picture of close friendship. But Alex’s attention was riveted to the woman at the center—a blue-haired lady whose presence seemed to momentarily halt time.
Her hair, a cascade of cerulean waves, shimmered under the streetlights. Her laughter, melodic and familiar, stirred something deep within Alex.
Memories, long buried, surged forth: a younger version of her, the laughter in her voice, her smile. The weight of those recollections pressed heavily on him.
His heart pounded, a rhythm he hadn’t felt in years. Emotions he had meticulously suppressed threatened to overwhelm him.
"Lauren," he whispered, the name escaping his lips like a prayer.
Inside his dimensional storage, Nyxara stirred, sensing the tumult within Alex. Moments ago, they had been engaged in light-hearted banter, but now, a storm of emotions raged within him.
*Alex? What’s happening?* she inquired mentally, concern evident in her tone.
But Alex remained unresponsive, his focus unwavering.
The group of women approached a sleek vehicle, their laughter still echoing. As they entered and the car pulled away, Alex’s trance broke. He became acutely aware of his surroundings—the curious glances from passersby, the chill in the air, the reality of the present.
Turning away, he murmured, "NOVA, keep tabs on that vehicle."