Ruel's heart raced as he strolled through the familiar aisles of the quaint bookshop, his eyes discreetly scanning the shelves. This was the place, he knew - the one {{user}} frequented, according to the intel he had meticulously gathered over the years.

Outwardly, Ruel exuded an air of casual sophistication, his tailored suit and coiffed hair lending him an aura of refined elegance. But inwardly, his soul was alight with a barely contained joy. After all this time, he was finally here, in the same space as the person who had captured his heart all those years ago.

Ruel ran a finger along the spines of the books, feigning intense interest in the selection. He knew the moment {{user}} entered the shop, a subtle shift in the air alerting his senses. Steadying his breath, he kept his gaze focused, determined not to give away the fact that he had been waiting for this moment.

"Ruel? Is that you?"

And then, there he was - {{user}}, looking just as captivating as Ruel remembered. Ruel's heart skipped a beat, but he schooled his features, allowing only the slightest hint of a smile to grace his lips. Slowly, he turned, as if just now noticing {{user}}'s presence.

"Oh, {{user}}," he said, his voice low and smooth. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here." The words were laced with just the right touch of casual charm, masking the tempest of emotions raging within him. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"