Kissed by Destiny, Lost in Time

Persp

ontinued to baffle me, and her refusal to explain only fueled my frustration. But I knew confron

the accident wouldn't leave lasting scars, a

ing me from across the way. My eyes narrowed, and then recognit

as he fixated on me? His steady

ut my curiosity got the better of me. I glanced back, e

ed into the crowd or never existed at all. I wondered if m

e feeling of being watched. But my mind had other plans. A f

tting loose after a long stretch of stress. The night wa

beat throbbing in my ears. I remembered stumbling onto the

en, hi

m, and un

s guy whose features my alcohol-addled brain couldn't recall. The

shame and embarrassment h

did I do t

ggled to piece together

d

't bear to t

lf back to the present. But the memory l

wa

se happened

rld am I just rem

ce in my hands. "Never again," I vowed, resolv

ks. Please, let that be the extent of my reckless behavior. The

fleeting moment, nothing more. The possibility of fu

s I stepped inside, an unfamiliar aroma caug

s mother, cooking in the kitchen.

nsing her hands before enveloping me

e drifted to Anna, engrossed in reading at

Fred than with Anna; her warmth and kin

ou here, Mrs.

," she replied. "I wanted to cook

her expression unyielding. "I didn't a

d with hurt. "A simple '

'm fine," Anna

" Anna continued, her tone growing sharper

explain, "I only want

lease leave now? You're distract

the sudden inclusion of my name.

her belongings. "Eira, enjoy the food," s

ttempted to respond, bu

ill here?" Anna's im

urned to leave. The door closed behind her,

you should appreciate your mom's gestures. There are pe

incredulous. "Are you inclu

, her voice rising. "She's my mom; I can talk

e stormed off

egret washing over me. "Why did I ever agree t

should have been more discer

ob postings, and a cafe's "Help Wanted" sign caught m

image of the blue-eyed driver who had swindled m

I said, gra

features. That unique face, th

who left me stranded?

rtably, avoiding d

weet," I said, a sly smile spreading

neasy. "What

with an unsettling question.