Chapter 3 When Paths Cross Again

The morning light crept into Lea's room like a quiet visitor, casting soft shadows on the pale lavender walls. Her eyes fluttered open as she heard the gentle chirping of birds outside. She yawned, stretched carefully - still mindful of her healing neck - and let the quiet of the moment settle around her like a blanket.

It was one of those mornings that held promise in the air, like the world might shift just a little, if only for a few hours.

Then her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

"8:15 AM - Time to call Mr. Michael"

Lea groaned. Her boss. The reminder that she was no longer welcome behind the wheel of the Highlander still stung a little. It wasn't just the car - it was the trust that had been bruised. Still, she had to try.

She grabbed her phone and tapped his contact.

"Good morning, Sir," she said politely, trying to sound more cheerful than she felt.

Michael's voice came through, cold and clipped as usual. "Lea. What do you want?"

She blinked. Wow. Not even a hello.

"I wanted to ask if the car is available today for the repair appointment. The one the man scheduled after the accident."

"No need," he said briskly. "I'll be taking care of it myself. My wife is using the vehicle now."

"Oh... alright, Sir," Lea replied, disappointment rising in her throat.

"And Lea," Michael added, voice even colder now, "don't expect to drive my car again. You'll be using public transport going forward. Understood?"

Lea paused, the words landing like little slaps across her face. "Understood, Sir."

The line went dead.

She stared at the phone in her hand, her lips pressed in a thin line. "Well, that settles it," she muttered. "So much for seeing Mr. 'Man of Action' again."

Her fingers traced absentmindedly over the neck brace as her thoughts drifted back to the accident. Or rather - him.

The way he had looked at her. Not just ogled - though he certainly had - but like she'd thrown him completely off balance. Like she wasn't just another face in the crowd.

She sighed and sat cross-legged on her bed. "Maybe it's not meant to be," she whispered.

But the thought didn't comfort her like it should have.

She got down on her knees, pulled a soft shawl over her head, and folded her hands in prayer - a habit she had grown up with, one that had become her anchor in both storms and stillness.

"Dear Father in Heaven... I come to You again. You know my heart. You know my desire for love that is true, honest, and kind. If there is someone You've set aside for me, I ask You to bring us together in Your perfect timing. And if not, give me peace and joy in the path You've planned. I trust You. Amen."

Her heart felt lighter afterward, though she still wasn't sure why.

Later that afternoon, while folding laundry, her phone rang again.

"Linda 💜"

Lea smiled and answered immediately. "Hey, babe!"

"Lea!" Linda's excited voice burst through the phone. "How's my girl doing?"

"I'm okay," Lea said with a tired chuckle. "How about you? Still grounded?"

"Worse. Mum gave me a 7 PM curfew like I'm in high school," Linda said dramatically. "So I told her I was going to see you."

Lea laughed. "You really pulled the 'bestie' card, huh?"

"You bet. And she fell for it. So I'm coming over next week. You can't back out."

"I wouldn't dare," Lea replied, genuinely happy. "I've missed having another woman in this house."

They caught up for a while - talking about everything from work to Linda's boss's obsession with cat-shaped mugs. It felt like no time had passed at all.

"I can't wait to see you in person," Linda said warmly.

"Same here," Lea replied, her voice soft. "It's been too long."

After they hung up, Lea found herself smiling at the thought. Maybe having Linda around again would help chase away the thoughts of the man with the ocean-blue eyes and smirking confidence.

Maybe.

Meanwhile, across town, Jake was sitting at a café with Mark, sipping iced coffee after a grueling gym session.

The brothers looked like walking advertisements for luxury: both dressed in fitted athletic wear, their expensive watches glinting under the overhead lights.

A mellow pop song played softly from the café speakers:

🎵 "There's a pain in my heart and it won't go away..."

"And I know I'm falling deep, I need you here with me..."

Jake stared into his coffee cup, lost in thought.

Mark leaned over, nudging him. "It's not a love song, you know. It's about heartbreak."

Jake snorted. "What's the difference?"

"Okay, Romeo. What's going on with you?"

Jake shrugged. "It's stupid. Just... thinking about a girl."

Mark's eyebrows shot up. "You? Thinking about a girl for more than 48 hours? Alert the media."

"It's not like that."

"So what is it like?"

Jake looked out the window. "It's... one-sided. I don't even know her name. But she's in my head and it's driving me insane."

"Want me to help find her?" Mark asked.

Jake hesitated. "No. If we're meant to meet again, we will."

Mark grinned mischievously. "Funny you say that..."

Jake blinked. "Why are we even here?"

"Wait for it."

Right then, the café door chimed as someone walked in.

Jake turned instinctively.

And there she was.

Lea.

She looked unsure at first, her eyes scanning the room until Mark waved her over from a booth near the window.

She hesitated for a second, then made her way to them, her strides elegant despite her casual outfit - jeans, boots, and a soft brown coat that complimented her skin.

"Hey," Mark said, standing to greet her. "Jake, you remember Lea?"

Jake stood too, heart pounding. "How could I forget?"

Lea blinked, surprised. "You... remember me?"

Jake smiled. "You left quite an impression."

She didn't know what to say. She looked to Mark, who offered her the seat beside him. "Please, sit."

They ordered tea and pastries, and for a while, the three of them made small talk - light, easy banter. But Jake's eyes barely left Lea.

"So... what brings you here?" Lea finally asked, looking at Mark.

He sipped his drink. "Let's just say fate owed my brother a favor."

Lea turned to Jake. "You planned this?"

Jake raised his hands in mock surrender. "Honestly? No. But I'm glad it happened."

Lea's lips twitched into a smile. "You're bolder than I remember."

"I'm just being honest."

Mark checked his phone. "I've got to step out for a call. You two behave."

As he left the booth, silence fell between them.

Jake leaned forward, more serious now. "I never got your name that night."

"Lea."

He said it once under his breath. "Lea. It suits you."

She glanced down. "And yours?"

"Jake."

They shook hands like they were meeting properly for the first time - but both knew this wasn't just an ordinary handshake.

There was something there.

Something neither of them could quite name yet.

Later that evening, Lea walked home in a daze.

The wind was cooler now, brushing her face gently as she replayed every detail of that café meeting in her mind. Jake - for all his cockiness - had been unexpectedly kind. Charming in a way that didn't feel rehearsed.

And it terrified her.

Because she knew the world didn't hand out good men like birthday cards. She had met her fair share of smooth liars and sugar-tongued heartbreakers.

But something about Jake's presence... it felt different.

Still, she told herself not to get too carried away. One coffee doesn't mean a love story. One smile doesn't guarantee safety. And one handsome face didn't make a good heart.

But somewhere in her spirit, something stirred.

Maybe... just maybe... this was the beginning of something real.