Eclipsed by Destiny

Chapter 1: A Morning That Is Perfectly Imperfect

Kate Harper's morning ritual was a meticulous symphony. Wake up at 6:30, do yoga at 6:45, and have a flawlessly made oat milk latte by 7:30. She meticulously planned every aspect of her day, even when she would arrive at the quaint corner café for her second cup of coffee before going to her Luxe Events office.

She believed today was no different.

The soothing sound of coffee grinding and mellow indie music welcomed Kate as she pushed open the café door. As she entered the queue and mentally went over her daily to-do list, her heels clicked against the tiled floor. Verify the florist for the wedding of her sister. Verify. Send the caterer an email. Verify. Handle her mother's micromanagement? Verify again.

Someone swore beneath their breath behind her. Kate glanced in the direction of the source, a run-down man in jeans and a leather jacket searching through his bag. Before approaching the desk with his phone balancing awkwardly between his shoulder and ear, he murmured something about forgetting his money.

"Rob, just give me five minutes." I'll work it out!His voice was warm but stressed as he spoke loudly.

Kate rolled her eyes and turned back. She had no patience with tumultuous mornings, particularly when they came from unfamiliar people.

She stepped up to the counter with her trademark order when it was finally her turn. "Please, one extra-hot, light-foam caramel oat latte."

The barista nodded, but the man behind Kate moved ahead while still balancing his phone before she could pay.

"Hey, how about a black coffee to go with that?He said, glancing at Kate with an apologetic look. Later, I'll send you a Venmo. Assure me.

Kate blinked. "Pardon me?"

"I have lost my wallet. A long tale. Are you able to cover me?"

Kate's mouth parted, then shut again. Who was he supposed to be? However, the barista had already begun making the coffee before she could say no.

Kate mumbled, "It's okay," as she reached into her purse to retrieve her card. "But you'd better send me a Venmo."

He smiled as though they were old friends and remarked, "You're a lifesaver."

Ignoring him, Kate stepped aside to await her command.

After a few minutes, Kate reached for her latte, her fingers grazing the sleeve of the paper cup. A sleek black phone on the counter caught her attention as well. She packed it into her bag, assuming it belonged to her, and rushed out the door while balancing her drink.

The unkempt man behind her groped for his own phone but was unable to find it.

Kate had already turned off three buzzing notifications from her bag by the time she arrived at her office. She set her latte down on her desk and reached for what she believed to be her phone, only to pause.

She wasn't using this phone.

Her elegant rose-gold case had been swapped out for a black one that was damaged and had peeling stickers on the corners. A picture of a dog wearing sunglasses and a drum in the backdrop appeared when she swiped the screen.

She said, "Oh no," as her heart sank. At the café, she must have picked up the wrong phone.

In the meantime, across town

Jake Bennett was experiencing a typical morning.

After his roommate took his guitar strings without asking permission, his wallet went for no apparent reason, and now his phone was gone.

Panic taking hold, he rummaged through his backpack for the third time. Without it, how was he going to plan the band's rehearsal? That phone included all of his life's information, including contacts, notes, and the address of the pub where they were scheduled to perform the following week.

Jake grabbed his laptop and quickly emailed Rob, his bandmate, to explain the issue. Then, hoping that whoever had his phone would answer, he used it to call his flatmate.

The telephone rang. Once. Twice. Then—

"Hello?"

"Grateful," Jake said. "My phone is with you."It's Jake Bennett. I believe you took my phone this morning at the café.

"Pardon me?A clear, businesslike voice answered.

A pause occurred. Then, with a clipped tone, the woman on the other end spoke. "The one with the black coffee is you."

Jake said, "I feel guilty," with a smile on his face.

I'm Kate Harper, Jake Bennett. I do have your phone, too. Thus, you have mine.

Jake's laugh was effortless and pleasant. It appears to be so. Can we get together so I can retrieve it? Today, I kind of need it.

Kate let out a sigh. "I have a lot going on. Can we arrive after five o'clock?"

Jake paused. At six o'clock, I have a rehearsal. Is it possible for us to meet in the middle?"

Kate responded, "All right," but her tone gave the impression that she wasn't. "Send me the information from this number via text."

"It will work. Additionally, I appreciate that you didn't throw my phone in the trash or something.

Kate didn't answer and hung up.

The Initial Error

Jake's number chimed on Kate's borrowed phone just as she was finishing up her afternoon.

Jake: How about we meet at 5:30 at Monty's Diner?

Kate let out a moan. Traffic was going to be a problem because Monty's was on the opposite side of town.

Kate: Set the time for 6:00. I am unable to depart earlier.

Jake: All right. But blame LA traffic if I'm late.

Kate: Didn't you pick the spot yourself?

Jake: Details, details.

Already regretting her decision to meet him, Kate sighed.

Kate was sitting in a vinyl booth at Monty's at six o'clock, having forgotten her latte. Her knuckles pounded the table, and each time the door opened, her gaze flitted to it.

With his leather jacket thrown over his shoulder, Jake finally walked in. In sharp contrast to Kate's irritated scowl, he waved when he saw her.

As he slipped into the booth, she remarked, "You're late."

"Just five minutes," Jake remarked, passing her phone to her on the other side of the table. "I assume it's yours?"

“Thank you.” Kate checked it over, her face softening as she verified it was hers.

With a breath of relief, Jake reached for his phone and flipped it open. "This is something I missed."

Kate whispered, "It's amazing you're able to function at all."

Jake smiled. "What am I supposed to say? My brand is chaos.

Kate got up and brushed her skirt with fictitious lint. "Well, I'm relieved that this is resolved. I wish you well in everything you do.

Jake stood up as well and whispered, "Wait." "I have yet to pay you for the coffee."

Kate waved him off. “Forget it.”

Jake's head c****d. "Really? Just letting things go, a perfectionist like you?"

Kate stopped. "How can you tell that I'm a stickler for detail?"

Jake laughed. "The calendar notification that appeared on your lock screen and was colour-coded was a dead giveaway."

Kate blinked, feeling both impressed and ashamed. "Goodbye, Jake."

A faint smile played on Jake's lips as he watched her leave. He suspected that their paths would intersect once more.