Destined to Fall

#1

A 'soulmate' mark would appear on each human's wrist as a sign that they're matured enough to find their own partner. A pair of couples would have the same mark and nothing can change that. However, Chen Lin finds that stupid and he would never understand why he have to live like this. He needs freedom where he can choose his own lover himself. His parents would always say if he defies that it will bring bad luck that results in something worse. 

A sigh escaped his lips. It's been years and he has never met this soulmate that he's destined to meet. "What a joke, guess I'll die alone." He chuckled lightly, throwing a pile of paper in his room. It's hard to find inspiration for his writing when his deadline is already near. He took a glance at his mark on his left wrist. C letter, almost looks like a tattoo but of course it's not. He always wished he never had this mark and even if he scratches his skin to create a wound, it will appear again once it has recovered. 

"Haha. C? Chen Lin? Maybe it's myself." He laughed at his own joke. He's already 24, and his parents keeps pressuring him about a partner but he never found anyone. The mark would turn red if it's not the right person. 

A growl from his stomach snapped him back to reality. He always spaced out when he's alone in his office. Unfortunately writing needs a quiet place so he can't avoid that. He's been skipping his meal since last night so he really needs to grab a meal. Getting admitted to the ward due to gastric again would be a nightmare. 

THUD!

"Ow.." Chen got lost in his mind again that he didn't pay attention to his surroundings. Thanks to that, he accidentally bumped into someone, or stranger. He whined in pain from the small accident earlier. It might not seem like a big deal to anyone else but he has a really fragile body due to unhealthy habits mostly from busy writing or chasing deadlines. 

"Are you okay?"

The deep voice made him look up. A silky black hair with blue eyes. A perfect match with his big figure and black fur jacket with black hat. He looks like a rich man, like typically what rich people attire would look like. If this is a dream, Chen would immediately say that this guy is his type but the reality wouldn't let him do that. 

Chen slowly got up with the help of the man in front of him. Then he noticed the mark on his wrist. C, the same letter like his own mark. "Mark! Your mark!" The blonde grabbed the stranger's hand tightly out on impulse. He doesn't have a good social skill since he's been with books all his lifetime so he wondered why is he acting like this. "S-sorry..." On second thought, his facial expressions are intimidating. Maybe this isn't a good idea after all, he should've thought before doing anything reckless.

The raven brushed off his sleeves as if the touch before was dirty while making a disgusted face looking at the man. The messy long hair and a plain old looking shirt doesn't leave a good impression on the man. "Aren't you aware that your hand is filthy? But you still touch me like we know each other, hmm? I just help you because you seem to be in pain." The voice is loud, almost like a scold but thankfully he left after that. Chen almost thought he's going to get beaten up there. 

The blonde watched him getting far and far away from his vision. Where he's heading to, he doesn't know and doesn't want to know or he will lead himself to a situation like before again. He glanced at his wrist, at the mark. No doubt, they really have the same mark but how do he approach him and tell him that? A sigh escaped his lips. He can't go to lunch alone now, he feels unsafe and scared after the small accident earlier. 

"Hello, Harumi?" 

"Chen chen! Listen! My brother Atsuka bought lots of new fabrics for me and my inspirations are overflowing! So can you—"

"No."

"Pleaaaase!"

"Ugh.. Only if you agree to get some lunch with me."

"Roger that! Where are you now?"

"Outside my office. I'll go there, wait for me and please don't scream calling for my name when I arrive there. Seriously, don't. You're gonna embarrass me again."

"Okay! Be careful."

"Hmm, bye."

With that, he clicked the red button to hang up and slide his phone into his pocket. Harumi is a close friend of his and she's the only friend he has since Chen isn't the type to socialize much. Both of them met coincidentally at a mall when Chen was trying out clothes. Harumi thinks he's a model and keeps begging him to model for the clothes she designed. Even after finding out Chen isn't a model, she would always beg him to model for her sometimes. 

The place isn't far, just 20 minutes walk from his own office. It is a big building with some plants as decorations around it. Chen would always wait outside at the bench but today seems like he doesn't need to. Harumi is already there waving at him. 

 "You're wearing pink again.." Chen sighed. Others might see this as a rude comment but for Harumi, she won't mind that and will just laugh it off.

"Why not? My new design is also pink anyway." She chuckled as she started walking together with Chen to the cafe they always go to. It's near so it won't be a problem to go back to her office afterwards.

"So I'm wearing pink? Harumi, you're doing this on purpose aren't you?"

"Yes and no. Pink looks good on you. And what's this?" She took off the fake glasses from Chen and held it in her hands as if she wouldn't give it back. "Your eyesight is fine isn't it? And that messy hair! That old man looking in attire!" 

"Are you insulting me? My deadline is near, wearing glasses is unusual and weird for me so it can keep me awake. Now give it back." He tried to take it back from her but she dodged too fast.

"Sure, but later." She grinned, shoving the glasses into her handbag.

"Fine.. You always— Huh?" 

The cafe is a few steps away already but his feet can't take any step further when his eyes catch a glimpse of a familiar figure. It's him from before and he was eating in the cafe. He doesn't want that person to think that he was stalking him especially after the small conflict before.

"Boo!" She chuckled. "I know what you're looking at. That man, right? Isn't he your type? Don't worry, I will help you!" 

With that, she rushed off into the cafe leaving Chen behind dumbfounded. 

TO BE CONTINUED.