Lost & Found

The first time Elias saw her, she stood out in the crowd as if the Heavens parted to release the glory of God Himself for a fated introduction. She stood still waiting for someone or something, glancing down at her watch periodically. Elias swapped out his shades for his reading glasses to get a closer look. Her features sharpened with precision; the curve of her lips, the depth in her eyes and the softness of her expression all felt strangely familiar. They stood nearly a block apart on the busy downtown street but everything around her stilled and she was all he could see. The crowd was bustling with people dressed in corporate attire on their way to work and business, casually moving around the two as if they were fixtures in the concrete, meant to be. The moment encapsulated them; one fixated and the other oblivious to the gravity between them.

She stood unusually far from the curb considering her focus was on the street as if she had been waiting for a ride. Elias moved through the crowd to approach the beautiful woman, but a black jeep pulled up and a man, seemingly a professional driver, steps out and opens the back passenger door. The woman’s countenance grew worried. She stood in place and bent down slightly to look inside the vehicle before walking over briskly in stepping in. Elias stood still with his hands in his pockets as the car pulled off and out of sight in the distance. Elias was stricken with feelings of loss and regret but then he remembered his father’s words of wisdom growing up, “What’s meant to be will come back around, just get into position when it returns.” Elias took one last look into the sea of cars leading far beyond what he could see and was filled with hope in that moment. “I’ll see her again. I have to.” His smile widened as he walked to his office.

Elias is a respected Cyber Security Finance Engineer who designs and maintains security systems for half of the banks in his city. He was invited into the real estate sector to build Smart security systems to help brokers protect their assets as well as to provide financial security for their clients. Elias hosted a conference for real estate brokers and agents for his official security software presentation. A few hundred were in attendance and ready to learn more about licensing the new software for protection against increased scams and data piracy.

Salomay grabs her jacket and keys and rushes down the stairs. She quickly puts on her black patent leather heels as she heads out of the door with intense speed. She greets her driver as she hops in the black jeep. He drives off and they reach the city center when Salomay tells the driver to, “turn around and go back. I forgot my purse!” He looks at the destination up ahead and looks back at Salomay as if he wanted to ensure she wanted him to turn back around. “Yes, go back.” Salomay says, annoyed at his hesitation. They take the thirty-minute drive back to her home, retrieve her purse and they run into traffic on the way back to the city. Her broker sends her a video of Elias’ presentation and lets her know she will fill her in if she can’t make the seminar.

Salomay pauses the video and zooms in on Elias’ face. She glides her fingers over his face and is awe struck. “The most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.” She says under her breath. She restarted the video and the sound of his voice was dangerously comforting, and the cadence in his words flowed as smoothly as silk. Salomay was completely captivated during the hour-long ride in traffic. The driver parked in front of the hotel where the conference was being held. Salomay hadn’t realized the car stopped until the driver let her know they had arrived. She grabbed her things and took a deep breath before entering the building. As she was walking in attendees were walking out, folders and reusable cups with Elias’ company logo printed, in hand. Her broker Analise met her and excitedly told her about the new software they leased for their real estate firm.

Salomay is a commercial real estate agent who, along with her team, has brokered many deals for clients in the city.

Salomay looks through the crowd as Analise shares the news. “Looking for someone?” Analise asked curiously. Salomay stutters as she tries to find a suitable answer. “Come on, let’s go meet the gang.” Analise says with a wide smile and grabs Salomay’s hand as they travel down the corridor. They enter the conference room to the cleaning crew clearing the last of the paraphernalia and removing folding tables and a projector. “Are you looking for Elias? You just missed him.” One of Analise’s associate brokers shares while walking past the room. Analise shrugs and the two decide to grab a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant.

One year Later

The second time Elias saw Salomay she stood on a platform waiting for a train traveling in the opposite direction. Her skin kissed by the sun as it set, her gaze was distant, lost in thoughts he may never know. He stepped closer to the edge of the platform to get a closer look; his heart was racing. He never forgot about her nor was he aware of the many chance encounters that neither of them was aware of. Their trains arrived at the same time. He traveled down the train car until he could see her face. Through the glass, their eyes met long enough for both to connect and share a familiar smile. Then the train pulled away, carrying her into the distance once more.

But some connections have been established before our time, and no force, time, or circumstance, could keep them apart forever.

A few months pass and Elias stands at the door of the home of a college friend for Friendsgiving dinner. His friend opens the door, and they embrace and exchange their secret bro handshake. Elias stands still, in awe as she stands when she sees him from across the room. The woman he had been searching for stood before him with recognition in her eyes. The recognition flares like wildfire, bright and undeniable. In an instant, every missed chance becomes irrelevant, every twist of fate was nothing more than a prelude to this moment. The connection is palpable. His friend chuckles and invites him to come in and introduces Elias to Salomay.

She exhales his name as if she had carried it all along, waiting for this moment to set it free. And when Elias reaches for her, there is no force in existence that could pull them apart.

The End, and the beginning.

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