Fate finds Destiny

Chapter 12| JOSEPH

*Two Weeks Ago- Kyoto

I did not come to Kyoto to ask for a loved one because I already have one. I just wanted to ask for a love blessings. Days before that, I told my parents I would like my engagement scheduled earlier than they agreed. I have wanted to be engaged and soon after get married since I turned 20. 

I might differ from most men. I admit to being a hopeless romantic. Yes, I believe I am. It started when I was ten years old. On my 10th birthday, my parents gave me a unique gift. It was a frame with a picture of the cutest 5-year-old girl I have ever seen. My parents told me that the cute girl in that picture is the one I would marry, who will be my wife when she turns 19. Even when I became a teenager and older, I never questioned why my parents had arranged my marriage to someone I hadn't met in my life. I guess just seeing her picture when she was just five made me fall in love with her. 

And I have been waiting to see her forever. Something about her eyes mesmerizes me every time I look at her picture. Knowing I would be engaged and married to her became my motivation and inspiration to work harder. Right after I turned 18, I convinced my dad that I could already manage our company. I wanted to prepare a comfortable life for her. I wanted to be deserving of being called her husband. And when I knew she had already celebrated her 19th birthday, I didn't stop begging my parents to have her parents agree we could schedule both the engagement and wedding within a six-month period. I was so desperate that I admitted to my parents that I was dying to be engaged and be married to my bride. "Don't you think you have been torturing me since I was 10? I have been waiting for her to be 19 forever." 

I tried explaining to them I at least should meet her asap. I need to make her acquainted with me before the engagement, etc. And my parents gave in to my begging. My mom contacted my future parents-in-law. But unlike me, they want the engagement and wedding six months apart. And as the hopeless romantic me, I asked my dad to have me assigned to our Tokyo office. I told him I could get the chance to visit Kyoto- to pray for the love blessings in Jishu. 

And a miracle happened in Jishu. When I reached the love stones' spot, someone caught my attention as I observed the people around. She mesmerized me. I had the chance to look at her face closely while her eyes were closed. She intensely prayed while making her journey from one stone to the other. Her sweet yet striking face captivated me. She has slender eyebrows and velvety eyelashes. I enjoyed looking at her face; that perfectly matches her sea-nymph ears and delicate nose. Something about her captured me and pulled me like a magnet to get close to her. 

I believed the Love god immediately answered my prayers. Of all people, of all places, here in Jishu, after I introduced myself to her, a special moment happened. She reached out her right hand. "My name is Fate, F-A-T-E Wilson." I choked. Did she say her name is FATE Wilson? I coughed for real. At that moment, I wanted to put my arms around her. But I controlled myself. While gazing at her, I wanted to ask, Where have you been all my life, Fate Wilson? I can't believe she stands before me with our hands held tight. I am looking at my bride, whom I fell in love with 15 years ago. Confusion struck me; it seemed like she didn't have any idea who I was. Should I have said I am Joseph Lee?

The following circumstances hindered me from asking her if she knew about me. I didn't get the chance to reveal myself. When I saw confusion, fear, and tears on her face, I only thought of one thing: comfort and protect her. Though I have lots of questions, why is she here in Kyoto? Why is she alone? My first instinct was to make sure that she felt better and protected. At that moment, I confirmed to myself--- I loved her so much. "Don't worry; I won't leave you here. I will stay with you."

While we were at dinner, I saw her staring at me from time to time. I was gazing at her, still can't believe how the heavens brought us to Kyoto simultaneously, how I wanted to tell her everything about me, about us. But I was afraid I might see a reaction I wouldn't want to see. I need to ask her; I have to know. And I asked a question I regretted asking. "Fate, do you have a boyfriend?" "No, I don't have a boyfriend." Her answer pierced my heart. I denied hearing it and asked her again. "Are you sure? " "Yes, I am sure." I felt the pain. I felt so miserable. Like I wanted to ask her, who am I to you? But I didn't have the courage.

Then she asked me the same question. "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?" I tried to feel and see through her eyes. Is she just pretending not to know me? Finally, I gave her an honest answer- "I am engaged." 

It surprised me to see her look disheartened. Her hands started shaking as if I saw a tear trying not to fall from her eyes. She immediately went to the restroom. I was worried she took time in the bathroom, so I followed her. I called her name from the outside and asked if she was okay. She told me that everything was fine. But I know she wasn't because when she came back, she wanted back to her hotel without finishing her food. I blamed myself for telling her about the engagement. I felt her hurt more than the pain I had when she said she didn't have a boyfriend. 

Our cab ride to her hotel was my life's longest and worst ride. Before she could get inside her hotel, I called her and did what I felt I should have done earlier—I put my arm around her while the other touched her cheek and kissed her with so much affection. I wanted to tell her I would see her soon, but tears fell from her eyes. I wanted to punch myself for making her cry. So finally, I saw her again the next day to tell her everything. But instead of surprising her, it surprised me to find out the next day that she had already left for New York. 

The weeks that passed made me miss her more. And I know that when I see her again, I will have to make her understand what happened in Kyoto. And at last, I got the happiest news from my dad. " They agreed to have the wedding in six months. So your prayer in Jishu worked, Son!"

The Wilsons pushed earlier our engagement and wedding as I wanted. Still, it doesn't stop me from remembering what happened in Kyoto. 

I can't stop thinking about you, Fate Wilson! Are you also thinking about me? I can't wait to see you.