Fated Connections

Chapter One – Monday Mornings

Monday mornings had always been the worst for Jennifer. Why? Because they always meant piled-up work waiting for her at the office. Just the thought of it made her groan every time the alarm buzzed at 6:30 a.m. Getting out of bed was a battle, and though her hair was a tangled mess when she finally dragged herself up, she couldn’t care less. The warmth of the blankets always seemed more inviting than reality, but reality never gave her a choice.

She eventually dragged herself out of bed to go and make breakfast, which always seemed like the only form of meal she always has in a day. She never goes on lunch breaks and was always tired to make or even eat dinner.

When she reached the kitchen, she paused in surprise. Her grandmother was already up, humming softly while making breakfast. The familiar scent of eggs and toasted bread drifted in the air. Jennifer smiled and thought, not for the first time, that she didn’t know what she would do without her. Her grandmother had been her rock ever since her parents passed away, and mornings like this made Jennifer’s burdens a little lighter. She would do anything for her, she was also reminded of the reasons why she worked hard and graduated from college with flying colors and even got into the Richest fashion Company in the World. And now she works really hard and all these is so that she could afford to give her Grandma the life she deserves.

Quietly, she snuck up behind and wrapped her arms around the old woman’s waist.

“Morning, beautiful,” she teased.

Startled for only a second, her grandmother relaxed when she heard her voice. “Morning, baby. How was your night?” she asked warmly, tapping Jennifer’s hands.

The two of them shared a playful conversation. Her grandmother, as usual, teased her about her wild morning hair until Jennifer rolled her eyes and reluctantly went to fix it. By the time she returned, her grandmother was laughing softly at her pout.

Soon after, Jennifer joined her for a quick breakfast. It was nothing fancy, but it grounded her—reminded her that home still existed outside the chaos of the city and her job. An to her, home is where her Grandma was.

After finishing, she rushed to the shower. By the time she was dressed, she was satisfied with her reflection. She had chosen a slim-fitted black skirt paired with a crisp white blouse—simple yet professional, the kind of look that could whisper confidence without being flashy. She clipped on small golden earrings, her only accessory. Makeup wasn’t her thing; unlike her best friend Gwen, who never left the house without it, Jennifer always preferred to keep it minimal. She hated the way it melted off whenever she got nervous or too warm. Today was too important to risk that. Her wavy hair was pulled back into a neat bun, practical but polished.

She grabbed her black handbag and stuffed in her laptop, keys, and important files. Her room looked oddly bare when she gave it a quick glance before heading out. Then she spotted her phone and wallet sitting forgotten on the bed. With an exasperated groan, she scooped them up and dashed downstairs.

Her grandmother was waiting by the door. “Good luck today, sweetheart. You deserve it.”

Jennifer gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Grandma. I’ll make you proud.”

At the bus stop, fortune finally decided to smile on her. The bus arrived just as she did. Settling into a seat, she immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Gwen. She couldn't wait to tell her Best friend which was her second favorite in the world, her plans for the day.

“Hey, bestie,” she chirped as soon as her friend picked up.

“Hey… good morning,” Gwen replied in a groggy voice. Jennifer chuckled; she had definitely woken her up.

“Gwen, it’s 7:30 a.m. You have work at eight. Don’t tell me you’re still in bed!” Jennifer scolded. Gwen always overslept, and it was a miracle she hadn’t been fired yet.

But this time, Gwen had an excuse. “Before you continue, I actually got the week off. I’m heading home—my mom’s sick. I was up late last night packing.”

Jennifer’s annoyance melted instantly into concern. “Oh no… I didn’t know. Please greet her for me when you get there.”

“It’s fine,” Gwen reassured her. “But tell me, why are you calling so early?”

Jennifer couldn’t hold back the grin spreading across her face. “I might get promoted today!” she nearly squealed—loud enough that every passenger on the bus turned to stare. With a sheepish smile, she mouthed an apology and lowered her voice.

“OMG, finally!” Gwen gasped. “It’s long overdue. But, Jenny, you know how your manager is… she’s stolen your ideas more than once. Are you sure this time is different?”

Jennifer’s smile wavered, but determination quickly hardened her expression. “You’re right. I’ve been there five years—three as an associate designer—and my work has been used in collections without credit. I’m done being patient. Today, I’m submitting my new design to the CEO himself.”

“Sebastian Cruz?” Gwen asked cautiously, her tone a mixture of awe and worry.

Jennifer nodded even though Gwen couldn’t see her. The name itself carried weight. Sebastian Cruz wasn’t just any CEO; he was the face of S’CC—Sebastian Cruz Couture—the brand the fashion world worshiped. Powerful, elusive, and intimidating

Not only did he own a fashion brand, that was the most expensive and global recognized, he was also the owned Airports, Top-notch restaurants, A car company among many other things. He was the wealthiest man right now.. No one dared approach him directly. But Jennifer was desperate.

Gwen sighed on the other end. “Well… if anyone deserves recognition, it’s you. Just—be careful. CEOs like him don’t get where they are by being soft.”

“I know,” Jennifer whispered, gripping her phone tighter. What Gwen had said made her even more nervous because she was right but she couldn't back down now. She needed this for her Grandma who was sick and deserved a better standard of living.

The bus ride ended, and soon Jennifer was stepping into the heart of the city. Towering glass buildings reflected the morning sun, the tallest among them bearing the bold letters S’CC. Her stomach twisted at the sight. This was the day she would finally make herself known—or lose everything trying.

But first, caffeine. This was the only thing that always managed to calm her down and helps her get through the busy day.

Crossing the road, she entered the small coffee shop she had grown fond of over the years. The familiar jingle of the bell above the door made her smile. Inside, the warmth of roasted beans and freshly baked pastries enveloped her.

The old man at the counter looked up, his face softening instantly. “Morning, Jennifer. The usual?”

She nodded gratefully. This little shop had become her safe haven, a slice of comfort in her otherwise hectic life. The couple who ran it treated her like family, always remembering her order: a caramel macchiato and a fresh croissant.

Within minutes, his wife appeared with the steaming cup and warm pastry. Jennifer thanked them both, her heart swelling with affection.

Stepping back outside, she took a deep breath. Today was going to change everything. At least, that was what she told herself—completely unaware that just a few steps ahead, fate was preparing its own kind of change that she couldn't avoid.