A Serendipitous Encounter: A Val’s Day Short

Hey there! I’m deep in the throes of writing my next novel but decided to give you this Val’s Day short.

Levi is dateless on Valentine’s Day and all he wants is to enjoy a drink in peace.
Until Rae sits down….

Enjoy Rae & Levi.

Story Inspired by the song “Catch” by Brett Young

Levi’s eyes fixated on the bustling street outside the café, a tinge of longing quickly turning into a stabbing ache in his chest. It was Valentine’s Day, a day meant for love and romance, yet here he was, alone at a small table nursing a cup of coffee. Once again, the dating scene had failed him. Specifically, the online dating scene. Being a detective made it hard for him to meet people organically, so he resorted to the digital realm in search of a connection. Swipe after swipe, message after message, but it always ended in disappointment.
Levi’s gaze shifted from the street to his phone resting on the table. It held within it a myriad of missed opportunities and dashed hopes. He could almost feel the weight of each unrequited conversation looming over him. He sighed, contemplating whether he should delete the dating apps once and for all.
Just as he was about to reach a decision, a melodic voice interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back into reality. “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
Levi turned to face the owner of the voice—a woman with eyes as deep as the ocean and a smile that could light up even the darkest of nights. Startled by her sudden appearance, he stammered, “N-No, it’s not taken.” He gestured for her to sit opposite him.
As she settled into her seat, Levi couldn’t help but notice how her presence seemed to fill the entire café with warmth and vitality. She flashed him a grateful smile before turning her attention to the menu.
“Levi…”
“Hi Levi, I’m Rae.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s a beautiful woman like you doing her all by herself?”
“No woe is me story, I’m just not dating. Besides having one day as the official day of love is crazy to me,” she said.
“You have a point.”
Rae peered into Levi’s cup. “All man huh? Black?”
Levi chuckled at her reference to his black coffee. With so many long hours on the job, the beverage was his much-needed fuel. “It’s the only way.” Levi signaled the waiter, who quickly made his way over to take her order.
“I’ll have a cappuccino, please,” she said, her voice soft yet confident.
As the waiter left to prepare her drink, Levi stole another glance at her. She exuded elegance with her mocha skin glowing under the café’s soft lights. Her chic bob framed her face, accentuating her captivating eyes that held a warmth reminiscent of dark chocolate. As she spoke, giving me insight into her job as a travel agent, her voice was a melodic blend, carrying a hint of warmth that complemented the aroma of coffee in the air.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they sipped their drinks and discussed lighthearted topics. Levi could feel Rae’s eyes on him when he wasn’t looking, a familiar sense of interest that he was used to. He knew the attraction that came with being a tall Black man with a salt-and-pepper beard and a bald head. But it was the enigma of the black patch covering his right eye that drew the most attention. There was something about her that intrigued him, something that made him want to know more. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew her. He’d recently moved from Baltimore to Atlanta, so hadn’t gotten around much. But he was sure he knew her…

Suddenly, the door to the café swung open, and three large men walked in. His stomach churned. It was his day off and he didn’t want to deal with any confrontations or physical altercations. But with Dwayne Wiley and his crew around, those things were almost guaranteed to happen. Dwayne was a notorious criminal turned legitimate businessman. He was known for his ruthless tactics and complete disregard for the law. He’d been released from prison a few years ago and Levi still kept an eye on him. As he approached their table, Levi caught the shift in Rae’s disposition and shock that had her eyes expand.
Did she know him? And why did Rae seem so shaken by his presence?
“Detective?” the man said, his voice cutting through the air like a knife.
Levi felt a chill run down his spine as he looked up at the man. “Keep it moving, D.” He said, his voice strained.
“Just saying hello. Do you know they have the best Midnight Symphony Delight here? It’s a blend of dark roast coffee, infused with hints of vanilla and a touch of cinnamon, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings.”
“A gangsta with a taste for the finer things in life…I see the evolution,” Levi replied.
Dwayne adjusted his tie. “It’s the only way. You live, you learn, you evolve.”
Levi followed Dwayne’s gaze as it shifted to Rae. She didn’t lift her head but took a sip of her drink. Dwayne lifted his eyes to Levi.
“I can’t say the same thing about you, Detective. You seem to be making the same mistake…rusting your enemy.” Dwayne chuckled. “Hey Rae, you not speaking today?”
Levi’s mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. “Rae, you okay?”
Rae lifted her hand to rub her temple and her loose sleeve exposed the flower tattoo she had on her inner wrist. Levi locked her gaze with intensity. The memory of that night, seven years ago, still haunted Levi. He had stumbled upon her standing alone on a deserted street corner in the middle of the night. She begged for his help, claiming to have nowhere else to go. As a detective, Levi was initially skeptical of her story, but something in her eyes stirred a sense of empathy within him. He had been ready to arrest her boyfriend, one of Dwayne’s men, for his involvement in several robberies when she pleaded with him for mercy. Rae claimed he hit her. Her boyfriend had already escaped, so against his better judgment, Levi sheltered her for the night. All the shelters nearby were at capacity. Sheltering her was a decision he would come to regret.
Later that night, intruders entered his house. Rae had betrayed his trust by giving her boyfriend his address, leading to an ambush that left Levi injured and blind in one eye. Hence the patch. He’d endured months of physical and mental recovery before he was cleared for duty. Though his physical wounds healed, the emotional scars remained. Now, as he sat across from the woman who had betrayed him, Levi struggled to contain the tumultuous mix of emotions inside him. He knew he should feel anger, betrayal, and maybe even hatred towards her. But as he looked into her eyes, all he could feel was deep sadness.
“I trusted you,” Levi choked out.
Tears welled up in Rae’s eyes and for a brief moment, Levi saw a flicker of regret in them. But before he could say anything else, Dwayne interrupted.
“Far be it from me to interrupt this emotional reunion,” he sneered. “Enjoy your evening. And don’t feel bad Detective, even Big J broke bread with Judas…so who knows.” With those final words, he walked away.
“I’m sorry. I’m different now,” she whispered.
“And it only cost me an eye…go figure,” Levi scoffed.
The café seemed to grow colder as an awkward silence settled over the table. Levi and Rae exchanged a knowing glance, both understanding the gravity of the situation. At that moment, Levi knew that he had to tread carefully. Rae was not just an ordinary woman. She was the cause of years of trauma. Her presence in his life would undoubtedly complicate things. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw something that made him pause—a glimmer of hope, a spark of something more than just a chance encounter. As they sat in silence, the weight of their unspoken truths hung heavy in the air, each of them grappling with the unexpected turn their meeting had taken. And in that moment, Levi knew that his life would never be the same again.

The End… Almost

I hope you enjoyed the single POV short. Now, it’s your turn, comment below on what you think should happen and I’ll write it. Does Levi walk out? Does he give Rae a chance? What is Rae thinking? What does she want to happen?

Let me know and I’ll give the ending that appears most..

Peace & Blessings,

Unoma