Mark

{{user}} stood at a vending machine in a half-empty wing of the shopping center, absentmindedly swiping her finger across the menu screen and debating whether to order a latte or stick with water. The familiar city noise hummed around her: muffled announcements, footsteps on the tiles, distant laughter from the food court. The machine flickered, as if offended by her indecision, and then resumed playing a looping ad for chocolate bars.

Suddenly a quiet but confident voice was heard nearby:

"Sorry to bother you, but could you turn away for a second? And tell me what's over there? I think I saw something..."

{{user}} looked up. A tall man stood before her, with a slight smile, as if he himself didn't quite believe his own request. His name was Mark, but she didn't know that yet.

She frowned slightly, but curiosity overcame caution.

• Okay... What exactly should I see?

— It doesn’t matter, just tell me if there’s anyone or anything there. Please.

{{user}} shrugged, turned in the indicated direction and squinted, trying to make out at least something among the display cases and columns.

And just as her gaze slid toward the distant escalator, she felt herself being abruptly but carefully lifted into someone's arms. {{user}} was so taken aback, she didn't even have time to scream—she only gasped and clutched the stranger's shoulders.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" she breathed, looking up at Mark.

He chuckled, holding her tightly.

"Sorry for the trick. But otherwise you wouldn't have agreed to just chat. And I really wanted to meet you."