CHAPTER TWO - Crossing Paths
986 Words
Oh my God, I’m so late! s**t, s**t… this is all Antonio’s fault!” Heather cursed, running down the stairs, still fumbling with her shirt buttons. Her bag slipped off one shoulder, nearly spilling her notes, and her hair stuck to her face in a messy clump. Mondays were clearly conspiring against her.
“Heather, you can’t blame that boy for all your problems, you know,” her mom said in a teasing tone while dishing up her breakfast.
“Plus, you’ve won Employee of the Month seven months in a row. One of the reasons is how punctual you are—surely one day of being late won’t hurt anyone,” she added, trying to hide a smirk.
“Or maybe she won it because her boss, Ted, wants to sleep with her,” her father, Jack, said, rolling his eyes and biting into his toast.
“That’s not true, honey! Heather works very hard. And even if her boss is trying to get into her pants, it’s not going to work,” Mom said firmly.
“Exactly, Dad. And Mom, it’s not even about being punctual. I have a big meeting with some investors, too. If they like my presentation, maybe they’ll invest in the company—or better yet, offer me a job at theirs. Then I can finally leave that hell and that dumb Ted,” Heather said, frustration bubbling in her voice.
“Well, hopefully they do, baby,” Jack said, patting his daughter’s head before leaving the table.
“Okay, Mom, I’m done. If I spend any more time talking, I’ll be ten minutes late. I have to go now!” Heather grabbed her keys and bag, threw a quick hug around her mom, waved goodbye to her dad, and bolted out the door.
The cool morning air hit her face as she jogged to her car. Her heart was pounding—half panic, half caffeine withdrawal. She tossed her bag into the passenger seat, started the engine, and muttered to herself:
“Okay… calm. Investors don’t like flustered. Breathe. Don’t crash… or get hit.”
⸻
“Drive slowly, Kamal. We’re almost thirty minutes early, for God’s sake,” Derick whispered, clutching the edge of his seat.
“Well, last I checked, you have a one-on-one with the senior manager, Ted, before the actual meeting starts. We don’t have a lot of time,” Kamal replied, keeping his tone calm despite Derick’s obvious tension.
“Ugh… you’re right. Why do I even have to talk to that perv anyway?”
“Firstly, what makes you think he’s a perv?”
“I’ve heard how he tries his luck with female employees more than half his age.”
“Maybe those are just rumors.”
“Yeah, sure… maybe,” Derick said, rolling his eyes.
“Well, I think ‘maybe’ if you stopped focusing on gossip and rumors and started focusing on the person themselves, maybe you’d have more business partners—and maybe even a girlfriend.”
“Oh please! You sound like my father: ‘Karios, when will you give me grandkids?’ I’ve told him a million times to call me Derick. He doesn’t listen—that old pain in the ass.”
“Well, I think he’s right,” Kamal said with a small grin.
“Of course you do. When do you ever think I’m right?”
“Never, because you never are,” Kamal replied dryly.
“Ha! Very funny. Well, I didn’t build the biggest company in the country just by being wrong all the time, did I?”
“Well, business-wise, you’re always right. But in the real wor—”
“Hey, Sherlock! You’re about to hit a car! LOOK AT THE ROAD!”
“What?!” Kamal yelped as Derick slammed on the brakes.
THOD.
Heather’s car jolted violently from the impact.
“Great… first I’m almost late, now this? What a wonderful Monday,” Heather muttered under her breath as she stepped out to inspect the dent. Her shoes scuffed against the asphalt, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her pants.
Two huge men got out of the other car.
“Good morning, ma’am. I’m so sorry—it was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention. I promise to pay for all damages,” the driver said, panic written all over his face.
“Um… it’s okay. Thankfully, no one’s hurt, and it’s just a small dent. My money can fix it. Really, it’s fine,” Heather said, forcing a polite smile while internally fuming. Mondays were already the worst; now this.
“Oh, you’re too kind, ma’am. Money isn’t the problem—it’s the least I can do,” the man added.
“She said it’s fine, Kamal. Honestly, it’s her fault for parking here anyway. Let’s go—we’re running late,” the other man said, looking impatient.
“Excuse me?? My fault?? No, this isn’t my fault—it’s yours! How dare you say that just because I’m trying to be nice?” Heather snapped, her voice rising as she crossed her arms.
“We’re sorry. He didn’t mean that. I’ll pay for all damages,” Kamal said calmly.
“Look, it’s fine. I’m already late as it is. Discussing this further will get me fired. But… do me a favor and teach your friend some manners,” Heather said, giving him a pointed look before heading back to her car.
⸻
“Really, Derick? NOW you know we’re running late? Where was that spirit five minutes ago? We almost caused irreparable damage to a woman’s car—and that’s when you notice we’re late?” Kamal lectured.
Derick didn’t hear him. His mind was elsewhere.
He had seen that girl before.
He didn’t know when.
Or how.
But the bracelet on her wrist… it was familiar.
And suddenly, he knew exactly who to ask.
- Writer
