Game of fate

THE FATEFUL ENCOUNTER

Dominic

The hospital felt like a prison. Each day was a series of therapy sessions, overwhelming confusion, and doctor's visits. I missed the breath of fresh air and the feel of nature, but all I could do was stay at my window, feeling helpless.

“I hate hospitals!” I shouted in frustration. Shortly, the therapist, Claudia, came in for another examination.

“Dominic, you are recovering rapidly,” Claudia said as I completed the set of exercises.

“Thanks,” I replied vaguely. Flashes of my memory kept appearing to me like a dream; a particular name kept ringing in my head—it was Adora.

“Why did the name bring warmth and sadness? Who was she?” I asked myself.

One day, my dad sat beside me, worry filling his eyes. “Dad, what is it?” I asked.

“I have been looking into your accident. Something doesn't feel right to me,” he admitted in a low tone.

“What do you mean?”

“I asked Vivian to make sure the car was properly checked for your travel, plus the driver said a few minutes after you left, Vivian left the house without her maid, driver, or a word.”

He sighed before continuing, “I think Vivian had something to do with your accident.”

Before we could continue, our conversation was interrupted by my stepmother Vivian, as usual putting on the smile of a devil. But something else caught my eye—it was her black Louboutin heels. Immediately, a memory flashed, “It was her,” I said to myself. “The woman drenched in the rain with green eyes was her.”

“Dominic, are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost,” she asked.

“Yeah, I am fine,” I replied. She shot me a suspicious glare but didn't push it.

My heart was racing. I knew Vivian had always hungered for power. Could she be behind this?

Vivian

Vivian Portman stood tall in her sleek, luxurious office, located on the highest floor of the building, overseeing the sprawling city below. She had always taken pride in her unrelenting drive to manipulate situations to her advantage. With Dominic out of the picture, she quickly proceeded to consolidate her authority in the family firm.

“Mr. Simpson,” she addressed the head of the board, her voice lovely and firm, “I believe we should hasten the approval of the new merger. With Dominic’s unfortunate incident, we need to safeguard the stability of the company.”

Simpson, an older guy who had witnessed Vivian's schemes firsthand, nodded reluctantly. "Of course, Mrs. Portman."

As she was about to exit the meeting, a wicked smile formed on her lips. Everything was falling into place.

“I wasn't informed of the meeting today,” I said sarcastically. Murmurs filled the background as Vivian was shocked to see me out of the hospital. My legs felt numb after my accident, so I kept my discharge and recovery a secret, except from my dad. He told me about a board meeting, and we made a plan to surprise Vivian. I didn't know what that look on Vivian's face was, but I liked it.

“Mrs. Portman, what's wrong? You look like you have seen a ghost,” I asked mockingly.

Vivian's voice stuttered as she spoke, her words uncertain and halting. “Hi, son. I didn't know you were discharged, and you were not informed of the meeting because I didn't want to bother you,” she replied.

Nodding in agreement, I gave her a smirk. What was a smile soon turned into anger as she said, “I will get back to work,” and exited the boardroom.Adaora

Putting all my energy into work was the only way to cope with the pain. I took on more projects, spent more hours at school, and even applied for an internship at the Portman Group, one of the most prestigious architectural firms in New York City. If I could keep busy, maybe I could forget the man who ghosted me on my birthday.

An email popped up on my screen. I opened it—it was from the Portman Group HR. “Ms. Wilson, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Portman Group for your internship and are requested to resume immediately.” I screamed in excitement as it was a new beginning for me, a sense of accomplishment washing over me.

Despite my countless efforts, I couldn't help but worry. I went through our last texts, hoping to understand why Gemini abandoned me or ghosted me. There was nothing. I quickly brushed off the thoughts and focused on my new beginning.

Two Years Later

Life moved on, but the thoughts still lingered. Two years later, I made a full physical recovery and assumed my position in the family business, although my memory was still fragmented. My father's suspicions of Vivian grew stronger, but without concrete evidence, it was premature to address her. Wanting a break from the family drama, I decided to take a trip to New York. I needed space from the family drama and wanted to visit my mom—it's been years since I last saw her.

One evening, I decided to visit Masa’s bar, a place I vaguely remembered liking. I sat down at the bar, nursing a drink. I glanced through the bar and saw a young woman celebrating with her friends. She was stunning, with natural hair and ocean-blue eyes, and her presence commanded attention.

She looked up, and we locked eyes. She took a deep breath and staggered towards me.

“Is this seat taken?” she asked, pointing at the empty chair beside me.

“No, please,” I gestured.

There was something about her I couldn't quite place.

“I am Adora,” she said, extending her hand.

“Dominic,” I replied, shaking her hand. The touch sent a wave of emotions through me, a feeling of longing and waiting.

There was a moment of silence and unexplainable tension.

“You and your friends seemed to be celebrating something,” I said.

“Yeah, my birthday. Since two years ago, I have spent my birthday here, hoping to run into someone.”

“Happy birthday.” I wanted to ask a few questions, but her face looked like she didn't want to talk about it, so I let it be.

“Cheers to a year added to my life.”

I smiled, raising my glass. “Cheers.”

We both drank and talked. I told her about my accident on this same day.

She looked at me pitifully and said, “I guess we both have something to celebrate.” I smiled in concurrence.

We talked more about work, the city, and life in general. There was something more—a connection neither of us could explain.

“Do you want to kiss me?” she said, putting on a challenging smirk.

I leaned in to kiss her; the feeling was unreal. It felt like everything was where it was meant to be.

“Should we get out of here?”

“You are one adorable chaos, and I like it,” I said with a rush of excitement.

She gave me a look I couldn't quite make out.

---

Adora

There was something about Dominic that felt right. “What if Dominic was Gemini?” I asked myself. I couldn't help but wonder if fate was playing a role in our meeting.

“Hey, are you there?”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, regaining my composure.

We stepped out into the cool night, the city lights glimmering around us. His driver picked us up, and soon we were at his apartment. Unspoken longing filled the air between us. The tension dissipated as soon as we stepped inside.

Bringing me in close, Dominic's lips found mine in a tender yet passionate kiss. We lurched toward the bed, losing garments and inhibitions as we went. My hands entangled in his hair.

The evening was a haze of connection and intensity. Every kiss and every contact felt like a puzzle piece fitting together perfectly. I felt whole, desired, and safe in his embrace.

Dominic

The following morning, I woke up with a pounding headache and strange dream. Last night had been a blur, but one thing was clear the warmth of her beside me, the gentle rise and fall of her heartbeat, the electrifying connection was undeniable. Slowly, I turned to see Adaora, peacefully asleep next to me.

But as I steeped out to make a call , trying to piece together the events that led us to this moment, a nagging question refused to be silenced: what would happen when Adaora discovered my secrets?

I was on the phone for what felt like an eternity and lost track of time. "Damn it!" I cursed, realizing I had forgotten about her. I hurried back to the room hoping she had woken up, but she was gone. The bed was empty, the sheets tangled and deserted. My heart race

d as I scanned the room, but she was nowhere to be found. Where had she gone?