Fated to my annoying CEO - the red thread mystery

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Mia called, her voice flat.

The door creaked open, and Chloe stepped inside, only to stop short at the sight of Mia sprawled on the bed, looking utterly defeated.

"You're not ready? Why?" Chloe asked, taking a seat beside her friend.

Mia sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "I changed my mind. I don't feel like going out anymore."

"But you were so excited about this! Are you okay?" Chloe frowned, concern etching her face. "Come on, talk to me. What's wrong?"

Mia swallowed hard, then finally confessed. "He broke up with me."

Chloe's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

"Frank called earlier. He said he wanted to end things." Mia exhaled shakily, as if saying it out loud made it more real.

"Oh, Mia... I'm so sorry." Chloe scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her.

Mia let out a bitter laugh. "This is the third breakup this year, Chloe. And it's only February."

Chloe shook her head. "Okay, no. We're not doing this self-pity thing. Listen to me-there are tons of guys out there who would be lucky to have you. Frank doesn't deserve you."

Mia gave a weak smile. "I guess."

"I mean it! And let's be honest, did you ever really look at the shape of his nose? It was so crooked, it looked like a failed sculpture."

Mia burst into laughter despite her misery.

"See? That's the spirit. Now, get up and get dressed. We are not missing the carnival."

Mia hesitated, but when Chloe raised an expectant eyebrow, she sighed. "Fine. Just give me a minute."

---

The carnival was alive with color and energy, lights twinkling like stars against the evening sky.

"Wow, this is so much better than last year's," Chloe said, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Mia nodded. "Yeah, they really outdid themselves with the decorations this time."

"Look over there-so many beautiful dancers!" Chloe gushed.

Mia smirked. "And their hips..."

They exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

"I'm starving," Chloe announced. "Let me grab us something. What do you want?"

Mia shrugged. "Anything good."

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "You're still thinking about Frank, aren't you?"

Mia forced a smile. "I can't help it. I'm just... unlucky in love. It's like the universe wants me to be single forever."

"Enough of that." Chloe flicked her forehead lightly. "You know what always makes me feel better? Food. And trust me, I know my food."

Mia laughed. "Food is all you ever think about."

"Because food is life! Now, sit tight. I'll be right back." Chloe darted off before Mia could respond.

Mia wandered around aimlessly, watching the dancers twirl and leap across the stage. Her gaze drifted until she spotted a tent set up beside a cotton candy stall. A weathered sign outside read:

"Get your fortune told in exchange for a small fee."

Mia hesitated, biting her lip. Then, before she could second-guess herself, she walked toward it.

"Maybe she can tell me why I'm so unlucky," Mia muttered under her breath.

The tent flap suddenly lifted, and a tall, middle-aged woman stepped out.

"Hello," she said in a voice that was both soft and commanding.

Mia jumped. "Oh my gosh!"

The woman smiled, amused. "Did I scare you?"

Mia cleared her throat. "No, not at all."

"Are you coming in?"

Mia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah... sure."

Inside, the air smelled of incense. Two chairs faced each other across a table, where a glowing blue orb rested, surrounded by small trinkets and ancient-looking artifacts.

The woman gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit."

Mia obeyed, shifting awkwardly.

"What do you wish to know?"

Mia hesitated, suddenly feeling silly. But then she sighed. "I want to know if I'll ever find the right person."

The woman studied her for a long moment. Then she said, "Pick up the orb and place it back on the stand."

Mia, slightly reluctant, did as she was told.

The fortune teller closed her eyes, whispering an incantation as she moved her hands in slow, deliberate circles above the orb. The air around them seemed to thicken, and Mia held her breath.

Finally, the woman opened her eyes.

"You will find him," she said simply. "He is your destiny."

Mia's brow furrowed. "Destiny?"

"Your fate is tied to him."

Mia leaned forward. "How do I find him?"

The woman reached into a leather bag and pulled out a thin red thread with a silver ball in the middle and a knot at each end. She held it out to Mia.

Mia frowned. "Is that... a wire?"

"It's a thread. Take it."

Mia hesitated, then slowly took the thread between her fingers. "And this helps me how, exactly?"

The woman's gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "In ancient times, the red thread was said to bind two souls together-an unbreakable connection that lasts across lifetimes."

Mia swallowed. "What are you saying?"

The woman leaned in slightly. "Let me tell you a story."

Mia sat up straighter. "Okay...?"

"There was once a couple so deeply in love that they tied their wrists together with a red rope from the sacred tree. Their bond was sealed, destined to reunite in every life that followed."

Mia stared at her, the thread feeling heavier in her palm. "And this has to do with me because...?"

The woman simply smiled. "You will understand in time." Then, stretching out her hand, she added, "That will be ten dollars."

Mia blinked. "Ten dollars?! For a piece of yarn?"

The woman remained silent, her hand still outstretched.

With a sigh, Mia dug into her bag and handed over the money.

"Thank you," the woman said smoothly. "See you soon."

Mia shoved the thread into her bag, muttering, "So much for clarity."

---

As Mia left the tent, she spotted Chloe from across the carnival and made her way over.

"There you are!" Chloe huffed. "Why weren't you answering your phone?"

Mia winced. "It's dead. Sorry. I just took a little walk."

Chloe eyed her suspiciously but let it go. "Well, I got us corn dogs, caramel apples, funnel cakes, and-wait for it-strawberry drinks!" She grinned, holding up a cup.

Mia laughed. "Nice. So, where to next?"

"The cosplay performance! I've been dying to see it."

"Sounds good," Mia agreed as they strolled through the carnival.

As they walked, Chloe suddenly glanced at Mia's bag.

"Hey... what's that red thing?"

Mia's grip on her bag tightened.

"It's... nothing." She quickly zipped it up.

Chloe raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting it slide-for now.

And as the carnival lights glowed around them, Mia couldn't shake the feeling that she had just stepped onto a path she didn't quite understand yet.

One that might change everything.