FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 15

"We're getting married," Ava announced, casting a shy glance at James, who blushed in return.

"What?" I exclaimed, feeling like I'd stumbled into a day of surprises. We had just finished dessert and were preparing to go our separate ways.

"Yes!" Ava confirmed, her smile radiant. "At the end of January."

"Really?" I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. "Next month?"

"Yes!" she confirmed, her excitement palpable. "We've already introduced each other to our parents, and they're thrilled."

Ava's father ran a well-known company in the city, but despite this, Ava had chosen to forge her own path, working for a different company instead of joining her father's. Ava wanted to be independent.

"Congratulations to both of you!" I was genuinely thrilled for Ava. I was very happy and excited, finally she's getting married.

"Thank you!" they both replied, their smiles infectious.

After discussing wedding details and bridesmaid duties, we went our separate ways. As I rode back to my apartment, thoughts of the upcoming wedding filled my mind. I couldn't help but feel overjoyed for Ava; she deserved all the happiness in the world, and I hoped it would last a lifetime for her and James.

Arriving outside my building, I spotted Eden Miller in his black suit, also returning from work past ten at night. He truly was dedicated to his job. With the weekend approaching, I looked forward to some well-deserved rest, although I couldn't speak for him - I don't know about him, but I can finally take some rest.

"Hello, Mr. Miller," I greeted as I approached him.

"Hello, Miss Taylor," he replied, casting a quick glance over me from head to toe.

I was dressed in a black dress with a trench coat layered over it, paired with heels, and had applied minimal makeup. I knew I looked different than usual.

"Coming from a date?" he inquired.

"No... I don't date," I responded as we entered the elevator and the elevator doors closed behind us.

"Oh," he remarked, seemingly surprised. "Neither do I."

I looked at him in amusement, like really? I couldn't help but chuckle at his response. "Really? You don't date?" I teased. "That's not possible."

"Why?" he asked, turning to look at me. "Do you think you're the only one capable of that?"

"No, of course not... I mean you are good looking," I clarified. "It's just hard to believe."

"You're beautiful too," he said, his gaze meeting mine. "I could say the same about you."

"Umm..." I was trying to respond, but before I could say anything further, we arrived at our floor.

"Good night, Mr. Miller," I bid farewell as I stepped out of the elevator and headed toward my apartment.

"Miss Azalea?" he called out just as he reached his own door.

"Yes?"!" I unlocked my apartment and was going to step in, but I turned to face him as he called my name.

"I wanted to ask you something," he unlocked his apartment and was facing me.

"Yes?" I responded, curious about what he had to say.

He took a few steps closer until he was only half a meter away from me.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice steady as if he had rehearsed the question for years.

"What?" I was taken aback, wondering if he was perhaps intoxicated to ask such a question out of the blue.

"Will you marry me?" he repeated, his tone unchanged.

I stood there in stunned silence, trying to process his sudden proposal. Marry him? I know he is handsome, he is going to be CEO soon, but marriage... I couldn't understand or read him at all. Standing there I simply stared at him, unable to form a response. I know my answer was a big 'No', but I was so shocked to answer.

"Sorry," he apologized when I remained silent. "Forget I ever asked."

I snapped out of my daze when the door closed behind him, I came to my senses realizing I was still standing in the hallway. Hastily, I retreated into my apartment, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, I rested the back of my head on the door, closing my eyes I let out a heavy sigh.

"Forget it," I muttered to myself. "I don't think so."

My heart raced it was drumming in my throat; I was still shocked from what happened a minute ago. The echoes of his proposal still reverberating in my mind. While I had been asked out by many guys before, none had ever proposed marriage directly. It was all too bewildering. Why would he propose to me? First, he hired me after that awkward interview, and now this direct proposal. He truly was an enigma.

Marriage. It seemed unfathomable, despite his good looks and impending CEO status. I couldn't decipher his intentions at all. The only thing I could think of is - he is a weirdo.

---

It was morning, and though it was the weekend, I found myself waking up early. Whether it was out of habit or due to the shock from the events of last night, I couldn't quite tell. I couldn't even recall when I had managed to sleep.

Emerging from my bedroom into the living room, I noticed the beautiful weather outside. The sun was shining brightly, prompting me to shed my warmer layers and head towards the balcony to soak in some sunshine. Standing on the balcony, I closed my eyes and stretched, stretching by raising both hands up above my head I yawned, basking in the warmth of the morning rays. Intending to even out my sun exposure, I turned slightly to my right, allowing the sunlight to reach my left side.

With my eyes still closed and my arms raised, I couldn't help but smile at the comforting warmth of the sunlight. Slowly opening my eyes, watching the scene in front of my smile faded. Eden Miller was standing on his balcony, holding a cup of coffee. He was dressed casually in a white button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and dark blue jeans—a stark departure from his usual formal attire. It was the first time I had seen him dressed so casually and in a color other than black.

He stood there, his gaze fixed on me as he analyzed me from head to toe. Suddenly, he hurried back inside without saying a word. I couldn't help but wonder if he was embarrassed about his proposal from last night, but his intense scrutiny left me feeling uneasy.

It was then that I realized my hands were still raised, and I was clad in my pajamas—a pair of boy shorts and a silk camisole. A wave of embarrassment washed over me as I noticed that my stomach was visible due to my stretching, my camisole riding up slightly - my hands were up that caused my camisole to shift upwards and a good amount of skin was visible.

"Shoot!" I exclaimed aloud, hastily pulling my camisole down and retreating back into my apartment, wrapping my warmer around me for some semblance of cover.

"It's no use now, Azalea," I muttered to myself, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks. "He's already seen your tummy."

Frustrated with myself, I scolded internally. "Why him? Why now? How could I be so careless? Standing on my balcony in my PJs... How am I supposed to face him now? The proposal was bad enough, and now this... Oh, God."