The elevator opened to his quiet apartment and Luca loosened his tie, as he dropped his keys on the counter.
Everything smelled of pastries to him.Julian's voice came from the sofa, startling Lucas temporarily.
"Look who's finally back ."Luca glanced over.
His brother lounged there with a drink, half-amused, half-concerned. Amira stood nearby, tablet in hand, posture perfect.
"I should get my keys back."Julian tipped his glass.
"Ouch, don't be that way, so tell me, why do you look like you saw a ghost or the stock market tanked. Which of them?"
Luca's mouth twitched.
"Neither."Amira raised an eyebrow. "You missed three calls. Should I reschedule…"
"Later," Luca said. His tone left no room for negotiation.
Julian stretched. "Alright, what's the emergency? Are you pacing for a reason, or just rehearsing for a marathon?"Luca hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "I need to show you something."Julian blinked. "That serious?"Luca motioned toward the hallway. "Come on."Julian shot Amira a look half a shrug, half a question and followed. She went back to her screen, pretending to be unintrested.The bedroom lights came on soft and warm.
The painting hung over the dresser, familiar yet strange, a woman caught mid-turn, eyes lit by something unseen.
Luca stopped before it. "You remember her."Julian rolled his eyes. "How could I forget? The mystery woman you keep seeing and painting instead of dating actual ones."
"What's wrong with Elara though?" he continued.Luca's fingers brushed the frame, ignoring his question.
"I met her today,in this town."Julian laughed, waiting for the punch line.
"Still in your dreams, right, only you can manage that?"
"In a bakery," Luca said quietly.Julian set his drink down, slowly. "You're kidding right? sh*t! you almost got me there." he clapped.
"No." he said again, with a stern face.Julian blew out a breath.
"Alright. walk me through this. You dreamed her up years ago, and now you've found her frosting cupcakes."Luca turned to face him. "She's real. The same face, the same voice. When I looked at her, it felt like remembering."
Julian studied his brother's expression, the calm behind it scarier than hysteria. "And she recognized you?"
"Maybe. Maybe she didn't but I feel she did."Julian rubbed his jaw.
"Luca, that's…"
"Impossible?"
"I was going to say unhealthy, but sure, we can go with impossible.I think it's high time we call the Doctor in."Luca smiled without humor.
"You think I'm losing it."
"I think you've been carrying the company, not sleeping, and confusing dreams with déjà vu, or may be you need a vacation. Time away from all the stress getting to you."
"I'm telling you, it was her."Julian crossed his arms.
"So what now? You buy out her bakery and keep her as a live-in muse?"
"I just want to talk to her again."Julian sighed, leaning against the dresser.
"Then why haven't you told her you've dreamed about her everyday for seven years. Worst that happens, she laughs in your face. Best, she goes to the tabloid, No one's going to believe her anyway."That earned the faintest curve of Luca's mouth.
"Always supportive.""Always realistic." Julian's tone softened.
"You've got to ground this, brother. Whatever this is."
Luca turned back to the painting.
"I don't want to ground it."Julian watched him for a long beat, then nodded once, almost helplessly.
"Then at least don't drown in it, i thi k you should talk, I'll even come, you got me curious now."He left the room.
The echo of his footsteps faded down the hall. Amira was waiting by the door with her coat over one arm. "Should I finish the reports now?"
"No," Luca said. "Go to the office, I'll meet you there."She hesitated, eyes flicking toward the corridor where Julian had gone.
"Everything alright?"Lucas didn't answer.She studied his face a second longer, then said, softly, "You're… different this morning."He looked up, weary.
"Different how?"
"Less certain," she said. "It's not a criticism."He said nothing and that was her cue to leave.
Amira gave a small nod, opened the door. "Goodday, Mr. Rhezan."When the latch clicked behind her, the apartment fell silent again.
The first place his mind went to was that kiss. The comfort, the familiar feeling, like he'd kissed her a thousand times, like she was his.
He echoed Julian's words, "Tell her." He wondered if she really knew about the dreams herself or she just recognised him from the news.
He wondered how he was ever going to breech the topic with her without sounding senile. May be it was time he took his brother's advice.
He was going to take the bull by the horn when next they met. He was waiting patiently.