Bound by Fate & Power

Chapter2

Kayla looked at the young woman standing before her. She was beautiful. Dark brown eyes that almost glowed softly beneath the office lights, black hair tied neatly into a ponytail, and a calm confidence that made her stand out immediately. The woman casually walked toward the coffee station. “I’ll bring the coffee to Mr. Qin,” she said. Kayla frowned and looked her up and down. “Who are you?” she asked coldly. “And why do you want to bring Roland his coffee?” A small smirk tugged at her lips. “Do you even work here?” The young woman simply smiled. Without answering, she picked up the cup and touched the side of it lightly. “It’s warm.” She walked behind the counter and calmly began making another coffee as if she belonged there. Then she turned toward Kayla. “No,” she said simply, “I don’t work here.” She picked up the fresh cup. “And you don’t need to know who I am.” Her lips curved slightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me… Mr. Qin needs his coffee.” Then she walked away. Kayla stood frozen. Who the hell is she? She tried desperately to remember if she had ever seen this woman in her past life.

Nothing.

No memory.

No familiar face.

Before she could think further, voices called out her name. “Kayla!”

“Kayla, are you okay?”

Kayla quickly forced herself to calm down. “I… I need to use the bathroom.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried away. The moment she entered the restroom, she locked herself inside. Her breathing became uneven. She stared at herself in the mirror. “What is happening?” Her fingers trembled against the sink. “Did I really go back in time?” “Did God really give me another chance?”

“Is this real?”

Her chest tightened painfully. Then suddenly, her phone rang. Her eyes widened when she saw the caller ID.

Mom.

Tears instantly filled her eyes. Shaking, she answered the call. “M-Mom…” Her mother immediately sounded worried. “Kayla? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Kayla covered her mouth as tears slipped down her cheeks. She’s alive… In her previous life, Roland had isolated her from everyone she loved. Years had passed before she saw her mother again. Hearing her voice now made Kayla’s chest ache painfully. “I’m okay,” Kayla whispered quickly. “Oh! Right,” her mother suddenly said. “You left your documents on the table. I called to remind you before you panic later.” Kayla laughed weakly through her tears. “They’re okay, Mom. Don’t worry.” Then after a brief pause, she whispered softly, “I’m coming home.” Her mother sounded confused. “At this hour?”

“Yes.”

Kayla swallowed hard. “I just… want to come home.” After hanging up, Kayla splashed cold water onto her face. She stared at herself in the mirror one last time. This time will be different. After calming herself down, she walked straight to her supervisor. “I’m not feeling well,” she said politely. “May I go home early?” Thankfully, permission was granted.

As Kayla walked away, one of the restroom stall doors slowly opened. A beautiful dark-skinned woman stepped out quietly. She crossed her arms and smirked. “Interesting…”

“Looks like I’m not the only one.”

Her smile widened slightly. “Well…” “This might actually work in my favor.”

Meanwhile…

Inside the CEO office, The mysterious young woman entered without knocking. “Cousin, a question," she said casually. She placed the coffee onto the desk before leaning forward slightly. “Do you know a woman with brown eyes that shine like gemstones? A mole under her left eye…” She tilted her head dramatically. “Very beautiful, by the way.” Roland Qin looked up from his paperwork. For a brief second, something strange flashed through his mind.

A face.

Blood.

Tears.

Then it disappeared. “Tia,” he said flatly, “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” He reached for the coffee. “Why?” Tia sighed dramatically before dropping into the chair across from him. “Well,” she began, “apparently the great Mr. Qin—the man every woman wants because of his money, status, and looks—got rejected by one of his employees.” She placed a hand over her chest. “How tragic.” Roland ignored her teasing completely. Instead, he opened a small bottle of pills, took one out, and swallowed it with coffee. Tia’s expression immediately changed. “Cousin!” She pointed at him accusingly. “That is NOT healthy.”

“You’re taking pills with coffee again?” Then her teasing expression slowly faded. “Actually…” She narrowed her eyes. “You look pale.”

“Are you alright?”

Roland rubbed his temple slowly. “I’m fine.” But his voice sounded distant. “I just…”

He frowned slightly. "...had a strange dream."

Or maybe it was a nightmare. His headache worsened. “And lately…” He stared quietly out the window. “Everything feels strangely familiar.” A pause. “Like déjà vu.”