A Fate Set in stone

Chapter 3

The next morning Yuki woke up to Jazz barking. She got up confused as he had only barked when they were playing before. Following the sound she found him in the living room barking at a corner. She moved closer and looked at the corner gently petting his head reassuringly to calm him. “There is nothing there buddy.” He stopped barking and looked at her before heading to the back door and scratched once letting her know he needed to go out. She walks over and opens the door, letting him out while she gets their food ready. When she came back he was sitting outside the door waiting. Jazz walks in and over to his food. After finishing her morning routine she showers and gets ready for work.

Getting to work she walks in and to the breakroom to get some tea before starting her shift. As she heads to her desk Jake meets her there. “Hey Yuki, how are you feeling? Yesterday was very um interesting.”

“I honestly have been trying not to think about it too much. Well I mean what happened at the end. I really enjoyed the morning and the start of our hangout. Do I want to know what happens next and the truth from his side yes. But I am also scared. I don’t,” she paused taking a breath. “I don’t want to be pushed into anything.”

Jake smiles softly at her and nods. “I can understand and respect that. I’ll admit I’m very curious. Just try and listen.” He looks apologetically at her as he gets called to do something.

Yuki sighs softly and shakes her head slightly as she sits down. She logs into the programs and gets ready to start her day.

A few hours later she is on the phone when someone steps up in front of her. She points to the phone and mouths to the gentleman standing there “just a minute please.” Being slightly distracted by the call, it doesn't click in her mind the one in front of her was the same one she ran from yesterday. Thankfully he had a lot of patience and nodded standing to the side until she was done. Hanging up she looks up her eyes widening as she recognizes who is in front of her. She stands quickly and crosses her arms looking at him.

“What are you doing here? How did you even know where I work??” She asked confused and a little irritated.

“I really need to talk to you. The gentleman you were with yesterday told me where to find you.” He replied.

“Well I don’t mean to be that person but I don’t have time for this. Please just go away.” She said more irritation in her voice.

“No, I really need to talk to you. I need to explain some things.” The male responded.

“Can’t you see I’m busy. You are free. Go enjoy life. I have to get back to work.” She snapped.

“Please, it won’t take long. I need your help. Please” His tone softened and was a near beg.

Yukita sighed softly. She wasn’t so heartless that she couldn’t at least hear him out. “Alright. I get my lunch in an hour. Meet me outside on the bench between the two maple trees. We can talk then.”

A look of relief was on the male’s face. He nods quickly. “Thank you. Thank you.” He said before going outside to wait.

Yukita sits back down with a soft sigh pinching the bridge of her nose. The next hour seems to fly by, much too quickly for her liking. She stands and stretches passing the headset over to her coworker. Moving to the break room she gets her lunch then heads outside. She moves to the bench not surprised to see him already there.

She sits down and looks at him. “Okay. I am here. What was the problem you needed to explain and need help with.”

Taking a deep breath he started talking. “First off, my name is Lucian. I need to explain what happened and how you were able to free me.” Yuki nodded, showing she was listening. “I have been stuck there for 107 years. While most may not believe it, I could actually see and hear everything that was happening”

“Wait just a minute. You're telling me that you’ve been able to see and hear everything around you this whole time?? And you have been stuck in that position for 107 years? That.. that’s not possible. You’re lying, I told you I would listen but not if you are just going to lie to me.” Yuki interrupted him before he could say anything else. In her mind and heart she knew he wasn't lying, he was not showing any signs of someone who was lying. Even good liars have some kind of tell. She shook her head not wanting to believe him. She stood up pacing for a moment before sitting down glaring. “Prove it.” She said with a low growl in her voice.

Lucian let out a sigh of relief when she sat back down. He takes a moment to think of how to prove it. “Right before you touched my hand. You were asking that guy if he was going to join you in the picture. He laughed and said no then suggested you take my hand jokingly”

Yukita’s eyes widen as he speaks. Then she glares again. “Okay so maybe you aren’t lying. What exactly are you wanting my help with?”

Lucian sighed and lowered his head. “This may be hard to believe but I was cursed by a witch. She actually was a good friend of mine.”

She looks at him now confused. “What happened? Why did she curse you? What was the curse?” She interrupted to ask now a little curious.

“There was a huge misunderstanding and before I had a chance to explain she had already set the curse. I was frozen, stuck there watching, waiting and thankfully unageing until my soulmate held my hand. After they held my hand I was freed.”

Yukita’s eyes widened in shock. “No.. Nope.. listen I guess I’m glad you are free but I can't. There’s no way I can be your soulmate. I’m sorry, I can’t. You're free now though so you can go ahead and live out your life. My lunch is over and I have to go. Good luck.” Yuki said quickly before running off leaving Lucian watching as she left.