Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2514

The air was finally warming, and people in J City were already rushing to shed their winter coats in favor of lighter spring outfits. After months of muted grays, the streets had suddenly come alive with color.

Sylvia Jarvis worked late that evening, the last to leave her office at eight. She flicked off the lights, gathered her things, and stepped out into the night.

City lights shimmered over crowded sidewalks. As Sylvia waited at a red light, she rolled down her window halfway, letting in the crisp air. Laughter spilled from the passersby, and the giant screens above the street flashed with ads for this season’s latest styles. That’s when Sylvia realized—spring had truly arrived.

The light changed. She drove on, fatigue weighing on her. It was too late and she was too tired to cook, so she steered toward her favorite little restaurant.

It was bustling inside. Couples on dates filled the booths, and others—like Sylvia—sat alone, just off work, grabbing a late dinner.

She placed her order and sat down, pulling a file from her bag to review while she waited.

“You know, if you keep working through every meal, your body’s bound to lodge a complaint.”

A clear, lighthearted voice interrupted her thoughts. Sylvia looked up, startled, to find Eugene Winters standing in front of her, a gentle smile on his face.

He set a tray down on her table. “Your food’s ready. Eat first—work can wait. There’s always more to do, but you only get three meals a day. You should take them seriously.”

Sylvia smiled. “What brings you here?”

“If I told you it was a coincidence, would you believe me?” Eugene grinned.

She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

He conceded with a laugh. “Okay, you got me. I heard from Milanda that you come here often, so I thought I’d drop by and see if I’d run into you. And look—I did!”

Sylvia’s smile was polite but reserved. “Did you need something?”

When she’d nearly finished, Eugene finally spoke. “A friend of mine is launching a new company and wants to find a reliable PR firm to organize the opening event. I recommended your agency, and now he’d like to meet with you. Do you have time?”

Eugene had sent several clients Sylvia’s way lately. She gave him a grateful smile. “Of course.”

She paused, then added, “But you don’t have to go out of your way for me. I know your own company keeps you busy.”

Eugene’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “He asked me, so it just made sense to recommend you. It’s no trouble at all. Besides, friends should help each other—you don’t need to be so formal with me.”

Sylvia nodded. “Thank you.”

“I told you, no thanks necessary!” Eugene quickly changed the subject, pointing to the flounder on his plate. “This is really good. No wonder you come here so often. I wouldn’t have guessed a small place like this could hold its own against a fancy hotel restaurant.”

“You should try their tomato cream soup next time—it’s surprisingly unique,” Sylvia suggested, her tone lightening.