Sylvia's eyes lifted, and her soft smile blossomed like a myriad of flowers caressed by the spring breeze.
Finishing his cigarette, Gabriel strolled back towards the house. As he passed by the neighboring window, he glanced back and, sure enough, there was a man, also clad in a blue sweater, who looked quite young.
With a fleeting glimpse, Gabriel withdrew his gaze and continued on his way.
Upon returning to the attic, as he walked down the corridor, suddenly a wooden door to his right opened. Gabriel looked up, locking eyes with the girl emerging from the room—an expression of surprise met his own deep, probing stare.
Since their first encounter, which had all the trappings of a setup by friends, they hadn't been in touch again. Today was their first unexpected meeting.
Inevitably, it was a small world when they were in the same city.
Sylvia was the first to break the silence. "You haven't left yet?"
She remembered him mentioning he would only be in C City for a day or two.
Gabriel nodded, "Got tied up with some things, decided to stay a bit longer."
Sylvia offered a warm smile, "Mr. Carnes, are you joining friends for dinner?"
"Yes." Gabriel responded curtly, his tone pausing for a beat before he added, "You don't have to be so formal here."
"So, what should I call you?" Sylvia tilted her head slightly, her eyes playfully roving, "Gab?"
She immediately felt the awkwardness of her own words.
Gabriel's brow furrowed slightly, quickly changing the subject, "Here for another round of matchmaking?"
"What?" Sylvia blinked in confusion.
Gabriel realized he had overstepped and, with a cold and serious face, said briskly, "Never mind, I should head off."
"Sylvia, you've got a call." Another man emerged from the half-open door, holding Sylvia's cell phone.
Noticing Gabriel standing by Sylvia, the man greeted him with a cultured smile, "Sylvia, ran into an acquaintance?"
Sylvia paused for a moment, "He runs a small business, overseeing a few employees."
"Oh, a small business owner?" Eugene was surprised, "He doesn't look it. What kind of business?"
"Anything and everything. Whatever makes money," Sylvia said.
"That kind of small business must be doing quite well."
"We should head back," Sylvia suggested with a smile.
Eugene walked ahead to hold the door open for Sylvia. As he waited for her, he asked in bewilderment, "Weren't you headed to the restroom?"
Sylvia's expression stalled, then she laughed, "Changed my mind."
"Then let's go back and continue chatting."
"Sure."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
I love it, I love it! Thank you for the updates....
Dear author Lucy, may we please have updates. Thank you....
There's a song currently playing via YouTube and TikToc by LowDii "Touch Me Softly" that makes me think of Norah and Xavier (Gonzalez). Please, I'm looking forward to updates. Thank you for your writing....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
As the plot thicken. Adrian is done for and he can't try to control Norah, so he'd probably tattle to Janice who's gone for two weeks. Thank you soooo much for the updates....
These updates were too funny. Thank you so much for the updates....
I forgot to add Amy to the group of pregnant women,since she was the first. Emily and Sylvia better be careful since pregnancy is in the air....
Wow! This is great, both Estelle and Magdalen are pregnant at the same time and I hope that Xavier is Norah neighbor. Thank you for the updates....
Author Lucy you're a blessing. Thank you so my for the updates. I hope that Norah's neighbor is Xavier she gets her memory back....
May we please have updates. Thank you....