When fate plays its hand

Now, Timothy and Mindy were no longer the childhood sweethearts they once were. Their lives had diverged, with separate marriages and entirely different paths.

“Do you remember when we were kids, the promises we made about what we wanted to be when we grew up?” Timothy was the first to break the silence.

Mindy nodded. “I remember. You loved astronomy and dreamed of working for the National Space Agency after graduation.”

He let out a bitter laugh. “Looking back now, I realize how naive I was. I thought dreams were not just dreams but reachable goals. Yet, in the end, I took over the Cooper family business and became the heir my parents always envisioned.”

Mindy smiled faintly. “I’ve seen the news. The Cooper family is thriving now, far beyond what it was 20 years ago. You’ve done very well.”

“But I lost you…”

Timothy’s lips moved, but the words he was thinking were swallowed before they could escape. Instead, he shifted the conversation, recounting the events of the past few years.

As he spoke, he became momentarily distracted, especially when the topic veered toward his marriage to Nelly.

He hesitated, glancing sideways at Mindy’s composed expression.

Suddenly, he asked, “And you? What have you been through all these years? When you disappeared, your parents and I thought you’d ended up abroad. We even searched the remotest parts of Neloria, but there was no trace of you. How did you end up in Lumberville? What happened?”

Seeing Timothy as a brother, Mindy began narrating her story in detail.

When she described floating downriver for an entire day and night before being rescued, Timothy’s chest tightened despite knowing she was safe now.

Sensing his tension, Mindy smiled softly. “It’s all in the past. I’m fine now and living a good life.”

Timothy remained silent. What could he say? On the surface, he had it all–a happy family, an accomplished son, and a flourishing company. By all accounts, his life lacked nothing.

Except for Minnie.

Despite having all this, was he truly happy?

His gaze at her carried a weight of unresolved melancholy. After a long pause, he finally asked, “Do you blame me? For marrying your sister so soon after you went missing?”

Mindy was momentarily taken aback but then chuckled lightly. “No, I don’t blame you.

“The lives we have now are the best choices we could’ve made. What’s in the past is behind us. There’s no point in regret what matters is cherishing the present.” NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.

That night, under a pale, cold moon and biting winds, Sam found himself at the same bar.

“Hey there, handsome. Care for a drink?” A curvy young woman in revealing attire sauntered up to him.

Sam brushed her hand aside, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “You’re the ninth.”

-

“What?” She blinked in confusion.

“You’re the ninth person to try hitting on me tonight. I’ve told the last eight to get lost. What makes you think you’re special enough for me to treat you differently?”

“What’s wrong with you? Think you’re some kind of king collecting a harem?”

“I’m no king. But you? You can leave.”

“Excuse me?” she began angrily. “Are you serious-”

Sam’s gaze turned icy as he cut her off. “Did no one ever teach you that before insulting someone, you should be ready to deal with the consequences?”

The woman swallowed nervously but felt her pride wouldn’t let her leave without a fight. She opened her mouth to retort but was pulled back by her friend.

“Let it go!” her friend hissed.

“What are you doing? You’re not even helping me argue, and now you’re dragging me away?

“If I don’t drag you away, do you know what’ll happen when those men in black suits over there step in? You’ll be begging me to save you, and by then, it’ll be too late!”

“Men… in black suits? What are you talking about?”

“When you started mouthing off to that guy, I saw two bodyguards in the corner reaching into their pockets like they were ready to pull something. If you can’t read the room, don’t pick fights!”