Chapter 1: Sarah

Dave had always been a man of routine.

He prided himself on being punctual and reliable, both at his job and in his personal life.

As he headed to work on a typical Monday morning, he couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in his daily routine.

He arrived at the office just before 8 AM, greeted his colleagues with a smile, and settled into his desk for the day's work. 

As a software engineer, he spent most of his day typing away at his computer, working on the latest project for his company.

But as the day wore on, Dave felt an unfamiliar restlessness stirring within him.

He found himself losing focus on his work, his mind wandering to thoughts of playing a strategic game of Warcraft III.

He had played this game for millions of times for an unhealthy duration when he was a kid, but had managed to separate himself from the game till now.

After a long time since then, he felt like an addict experiencing withdrawals.

Finally, at around 4 PM, Dave decided to take a break.

He grabbed his coat and headed out of the office, the cool autumn air hitting his face.

As he walked down the street, he couldn't resist the temptation any longer.

He pulled out his phone and searched for the nearest gaming cafe, and soon found himself sitting in front of a computer screen, lost in the world of Warcraft III.

Hours flew by as he battled it out with other players, his heart racing with each move. 

He had forgotten about the time, lost in the thrill of the game.

Suddenly, the door of the gaming cafe burst open and a group of rowdy men stumbled in, laughing and shouting.

Dave barely registered their presence, focused on his screen.

One of the men, a burly figure with a thick beard, stumbled towards Dave's computer and leaned over his shoulder. 

"Hey, what are you playing there, kid?" he slurred, a strong scent of alcohol lingers from his breath, hot and heavy on Dave's neck.

Dave tried to ignore him and continue playing, but the man became more aggressive, reaching for Dave's mouse.

Dave could feel his pulse quicken as he realized the man was trying to steal his mouse. 

He quickly pushed the man away and stood up, ready to defend himself if necessary.

The man stumbled backwards, his friends laughing and jeering him on.

"Come on, man, let's go," one of the other men said, grabbing the burly man's arm and pulling him towards the door. "Leave the kid alone."

Dave breathed a sigh of relief as they left, his heart still racing. 

He took a moment to collect himself before he sat back down to resume his game.

But as he looked at his screen, he realized something was wrong.

His character had been killed while he was distracted by the rowdy group of men.

Dave felt a surge of frustration and anger. 

He had been so close to winning, but now it was all ruined.

He slammed his fists on the desk and stood up, his eyes scanning the room.

That's when he saw her.

She was sitting at a computer in the corner of the gaming cafe, her eyes locked onto the screen. 

Dave couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was, with long brown hair cascading down her back and a slim figure that was accentuated by the tight-fitting t-shirt she was wearing.

He walked over to her, determined to strike up a conversation. 

As he got closer, he noticed that she was playing the same game as him - Warcraft III.

A smile spread across his face.

"Hey, I couldn't help but notice you playing Warcraft III," he said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Mind if I play with you?"

The woman looked up at him and smiled, her eyes bright and friendly.

"Sure, I'd love that," she said, her voice soft and melodic. "My name's Sarah, by the way."

Dave introduced himself and sat down next to her, the familiar thrill of the game already starting to take over.

As they played, Dave couldn't help but notice the way Sarah's fingers moved delicately over the keyboard. 

She was clearly experienced in the game, but she wasn't one of those players who took themselves too seriously.

She laughed easily and wasn't afraid to take risks.

Dave found himself growing more and more attracted to her with each passing moment.

As they played, they chatted about their lives and their shared love for Warcraft III. 

Dave couldn't believe how easy it was to talk to her - it was like they had known each other for years.

He felt a warmth spreading through his chest as he realized how much he was enjoying her company.

Finally, after a few hours of playing, they both decided to take a break. 

Dave turned to Sarah, his heart racing with anticipation.

He had to tell her how he felt.

"Sarah, I know we just met, but...I can't help but feel a connection between us," he said, his voice shaking slightly

Sarah looked at Dave, her eyes bright with amusement. 

"Dave, I feel the same way too," she replied with a laugh. "I was just about to suggest that we grab a drink together after this game."

Dave felt a rush of relief and excitement. 

He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have met someone like Sarah.

He eagerly agreed to her proposal and they quickly exchanged phone numbers before heading out of the gaming cafe.

As they walked down the street, Dave couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and excitement for the future. 

Meeting Sarah had been unexpected, but it felt like fate had brought them together.

He looked over at her, taking in the way the moonlight played across her face and the way her eyes sparkled with laughter.

They arrived at a bar and ordered drinks, settling into comfortable conversation as they sipped their drinks.

As the night wore on, their conversation grew more intimate. 

Dave found himself telling Sarah things he had never told anyone else. He told her about his fears and insecurities, his hopes and dreams.

Sarah listened intently, her eyes never leaving his face.

As they finished their last drink, Dave realized he didn't want the night to end.

He felt like he could talk to Sarah forever.

"Sarah, would you like to come back to my place?" he asked, his heart racing.