Eclipsed by Destiny

Chapter 8: Sabotage and Delightful Moments

Like most weekends, Kate Harper had been immersed in wedding preparations and balancing client calls on Saturday morning. By the time midday arrived, she felt as though the sheer volume of information she had to take in was melting her brain.

However, she couldn't help but exhale in relief as she entered the tiny café on the corner of Maple Street. Her normally hectic day was relieved by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of soft conversation.

Jake called from a table by the window, gesturing, "Over here."

After a moment's hesitation, Kate went over. She didn't know when she and Jake started going out for coffee on a semi-regular basis, but she found herself anticipating it more than she wanted to acknowledge.

Jake smiled as she slid into the seat across from him. "You appear to have experienced a war."

Kate responded, putting her purse down, "Close enough." "I've been putting out fires all morning. One bride completely changed her colour scheme, and two vendors cancelled on me. three weeks before to the wedding.

Jake blew a little whistle. "Oh no. Do you want me to rough them up?"

Kate grinned. "Tempting, but not." I would prefer not to include "accomplice to assault" on my resume.

"All right," Jake remarked as he sipped his coffee. Given how busy you are, why did you agree to meet with me?"

Kate tried to look casual as she shrugged. I required a respite. You also assured me that I would have cake.

With a laugh, Jake slid a dish in her direction. Cake with chocolate fudge. greatest in the city. You are very welcome.

Kate suspiciously studied the piece of cake. "Isn't this a bribe of some sort?"

"What is a bribe?Jake pretended to be innocent as he asked.

Kate picked up her fork and muttered, "I don't know." "However, I've come to realise that I can't fully trust you."

Jake chuckled. "All OK. But really, no hidden agenda. I just thought you might need a sweet treat to help you cope with all the stress.

Kate's eyes widened as she took a bite. "All right, this cake might be the best I've ever had."

Jake smiled contentedly as he leaned back in his chair and said, "Told you."

With the exception of the odd clink of a fork against the plate, they sat in pleasant stillness for a short while.

A Delightful Interlude

With a playful twinkle in his eye, Jake leaned closer as they completed their cake. "Well, I've been considering..."

"That's risky," Kate joked.

Jake grinned. It's funny. Anyway, for a change, I thought we could do something enjoyable. Something without wedding checklists and music-related arguments, you know.

Kate's eyebrows went up. "Enjoyable? Such as?"

As if it were the most apparent thing in the world, Jake said, "Bowling."

Bowling?Kate reiterated, doubtful.

Jake said, "Yeah, bowling." It's the ideal way to decompress. In addition, I think I can defeat you.

Kate laughed. Do you believe you can defeat me? At the bowling alley?"

Jake smiled. "Definitely."

"All right," Kate responded, her eyes glimmering with competition. "You're on."

Bonding through Bowling

Kate was clutching a neon-green bowling ball at a throwback bowling alley an hour later, wondering how she had allowed Jake to persuade her to do this.

Jake positioned himself and said, "All right, Harper." "Observe and gain knowledge."

He knocked over eight pins as he sent the ball rolling down the lane.

"Not bad," Kate acknowledged.

"Not too bad?Jake pretended to be offended as he spoke. "That shot was good."

With a sly smile, Kate approached the lane. "Let me demonstrate the process for you."

The ball veered directly into the gutter on her first attempt, which was far less remarkable. Kate turned to scowl at Jake as he started chuckling.

She grabbed another ball and remarked, "Beginning's luck."

However, Jake was still well ahead by the end of the game, and Kate was reluctantly impressed.

As they walked out of the alley, she crossed her arms and muttered, "Okay." "You prevail. This time.

Jake smiled. "I'll accept it. Don't worry, though; I'm willing to let you lose at any point.

Despite rolling her eyes, Kate couldn't help but smile.

In the Dark: Sabotage

The playful atmosphere was short-lived. When Kate got to her office the following day, she discovered turmoil.

Megan, her assistant, hurried to meet Kate at the door and appeared frazzled.

Megan held up a pile of papers and remarked, "We have a problem." "There are actually a number of issues."

Kate scowled. "What's happening?"

Megan claimed that someone had been tampering with our vendor contracts. Some of them said they received cancellation notices when they called this morning. However, I never sent any.

Kate felt sick to her stomach. "What do you mean by notices of cancellation?"

Kate read the accompanying email with a sinking heart as Megan handed her one of the contracts. It was a cancellation notice with Kate's signature at the bottom, purportedly from her business.

Kate's voice was tense as she stated, "This isn't my signature."

"I understand," Megan answered. However, whomever did this made it appear plausible. Not just the merchants are affected; one bride called to report that she received an email from us informing her that her wedding had been postponed.

Kate's thoughts were racing. Her business was being sabotaged by someone, and they were doing it with unsettling efficiency.

"Okay," she responded, attempting to maintain her composure. "First, get in touch with the brides and vendors. Inform them that their contracts are still in effect notwithstanding the error. Next, look for any unauthorised logins in our email system. I want to know who is responsible for this.

Megan took out her phone and nodded.

Kate's hands were shaking a little when she sat down at her desk. She had a terrible sense that this was only the beginning, even though she had no idea who was responsible for the sabotage.

Jake's Rescue

Kate vented about the event over the phone with Jake later that night.

She paced her living room and muttered, "Someone is trying to ruin my business."

"Are you able to identify the person?Jake enquired.

"Not just yet," Kate replied. But they're good, whoever it is. It's a nightmare—they've hacked into my inbox and faked my signature.

After a brief period of silence, Jake asked, "Would you like me to come over?"

Kate hesitated. "What?"

"To assist," Jake stated. Or simply to be with you. You shouldn't have to handle this by yourself.

Kate paused. She wasn't accustomed to taking assistance, particularly from Jake. However, there was a sense of sincerity in his offer.

At last, she said, "All right." "Come on over."

A Delightful Moment

Half an hour later, Jake showed in with a bottle of wine and a bag of takeaway.

Holding up the bag, he remarked, "I thought you might be in need of some comfort food."

Kate couldn't resist grinning. "I'm grateful, Jake."

While eating Chinese food directly from the containers and discussing how to find the saboteur, they sat on the couch.

After some time, Jake remarked, "You know, you're pretty amazing."

Startled, Kate turned to face him. "What?"

Jake declared, "I'm serious." "You're handling this like a pro, while most people would be freaking out right now."

A flush began to crawl up Kate's neck. "I don't feel particularly well."

"Well," said Jake quietly, "you are."

Their eyes briefly locked, and Kate's pulse skipped a beat.

"Thank you," she replied softly, averting her eyes.

The Mysteries Get More Complex

They cobbled together additional hints about the sabotage as the night wore on. They were unable to identify the perpetrator, but it appeared that someone with inside knowledge of Kate's company was responsible.

Jake vowed to continue digging as he stood up to go.

With a peculiar mixture of thankfulness and fear, Kate led him to the door.

"I appreciate you being here," she said.

Jake smiled reassuringly and said, "Anytime."

As he left, Kate couldn't help but sense that their relationship was evolving and that the person responsible for the sabotage wasn't quite done.