BOUND TO HER WILL

pte

hat made you question every fashion decision-especially her choice of crisp white pants. Stepping out into the storm, she tugged her threadbar

y, half-joking belief in manifestation. "I manifest a good hair day, manifest a great latte," she'd laugh over text messages at midnight. It was just a silly game among them, a whispered dare to

alk. A burst of lightning cut the sky, and in its wake, thunder rumbled-a low grumble that felt like it was echoing her inner turmoil. Layla pulled her hood tighter around her head and sighed. All she wanted wa

was happening, a tidal wave of dirty rainwater exploded from a large puddle on the road. It drenched her whit

at the car paused to apologize or glance back-technology and arrogance in

with her friends-"I manifest a handsome stranger to rescue me from this pathetic rain"-this

ity warred inside her. She fumed at the inconvenience, but a small, secret thrill stirred up as she recalled one of those late-night text

heck her own reflection just to be sure of her height. His suit was sharp, tailored to perfection, and even in the chaotic rain, he looked as if he'd st

ous firmness that stopped her in her tracks. He didn't so much apolo

But the storm and the situation kept her anchored. "

is eyes locked onto hers with a steadi

ndsome stranger and then get rescued by him? she mused, half in disbelief and half in the thrill of it all. Despite her bet

he ruined fabric of her pants. "I'm fine," she managed

d. He extended it toward her with surprising gentleness. The card read "Luca Moretti" in bold, elegant lettering. As th

the air-a promise, or maybe just an undeniable claim. "I'll see you again,

t manifest this? she wondered, recalling the silly late-night banter about manifesting a handsome stranger, never really believing it until now. She c

w, every distant rumble of thunder a reminder of the power of chance-or was it fate? She questioned everything. Was it mere coincidence that Luca a

what? The absurdity made her smile despite herself. Yet beneath the amusement was a seed of wonder. Maybe

washed away the physical evidence of the encounter, but not the memory. Steam billowed around her as she stood under the cascading warmth,

ends, Carmen and Tia, awaited. They were always in on her little manifestation jokes-half-serious, half-laughing about how she'd manif

just happened. I think the un

n felt like a lifeline, grounding her in the playful banter that had always made the idea of manifestation nothing more than an inside joke. Yet as

ng moment. Uncertain, she hesitated before scribbling a few lines, as if trying to capture the surreal emotions of the

d Luca. Did I manifest this mom

so lightly had become a secret challenge-a mystery waiting to be unraveled. And as sleep finally began to claim her, Layla couldn't stop wondering if tomorrow

f Luca and the inexplicable pull he seemed to have. Could it be that all those whispered jokes about manifesti

r more than just rescue from the rain-Layla drifted into a restle