Threads of Fate

Opthalmologist

Enzo's POV

I was the last one to reach the bus, of course. Not by chance, but out of sheer unwillingness to show up any earlier than necessary—perks of being a VIP. As I climbed aboard, my gaze scanned the seats already occupied by four women and three men. Great—this circus was already in full swing.

Two women caught my attention right away, though not for the right reasons. Their revealing outfits and faces plastered with makeup screamed "gold digger." Their laughter, dripping with entitlement, was already grating on my nerves. The third woman barely looked up, glued to her phone, dressed in casual shorts and a tan top. No frills, no drama—she seemed immune to the surrounding chaos.

But it was the fourth girl who made me pause. She was slouched in her seat, head leaning against the window, clearly half-asleep.

Her soft pout, the way a curl fell over her face, and her glasses sliding precariously down her nose as she mumbled something incoherent—it all made me stop for a second longer than I intended. There was something... intriguing about her. But why did I care?

I didn't. Shaking off the thought, I moved to the empty seat behind her.

As I settled in, I pulled out my phone, hoping it would shield me from this impending disaster. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side. Just as I opened my chat app, a message popped up from Kyle—my best friend and tormentor-in-chief.

Kyle: "Dude, YOU. ON. A. DATING TRIP? I'm dying laughing here!"

I murmured and quickly typed back.

Me: "Don't. I'm already in trauma. My family is bad enough; don't you join them."

I didn't even have a chance to close the chat when another message landed.

Kyle: "Bro, you left your work for this crap? Your first love, your sanctuary? Are you, Enzo Katz, President of Katz Group, on a DATING TRIP? I'll be laughing at this for the rest of my life."

I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

Me: "Shut up, man. Want me to start bringing your girlfriend to this?"

Kyle's reply was instant, of course.

Kyle: "At least I have a girlfriend, you single loser. Enjoy the love fest! Later, Lala!"

He went offline before I could send back another scathing reply. I cursed under my breath. Why are people like him written into my life? Is this cosmic karma for something I did in a past life?

As I sank deeper into frustration, my thoughts were interrupted by the soft murmurs coming from the girl in front of me. She was still drowsy, mumbling something I couldn't make out. Her glasses had slid even further down her nose now, and she absently pushed them back up with a finger, only for them to slip again moments later. A small pout formed on her lips as she shifted in her seat, clearly too tired to care. I found myself watching her, captivated for reasons beyond my comprehension.

What was I doing? Staring at some stranger like a creep? I snapped myself out of it when the movement to my side caught my attention. One of the so-called gold diggers had approached me, her overly confident stride and aura screaming mean girl making it clear she had set her sights on me. "What's your name?" she asked, flashing a practiced smile that matched the glint of ambition in her eyes.

I raised a brow and gave her the honour of being royally ignored, returning my attention to my phone. She lingered for a moment before muttering loudly enough for me to hear, "I know how to handle men like you. Just wait—you'll be wrapped around my finger in no time."

Sighing, I leaned back in my seat, inwardly bleating. The temptation to roll my eyes again was strong, but at this rate, I'd need an ophthalmologist before the trip was over.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath. "I already hate this trip."