Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Sixteen: Threads of Fate

Ethan's question hung in the air, lingering between them like an unspoken promise. "I don't... or wait, maybe I have someone," he finally said, breaking the silence.

Alex turned his head slightly, trying to read Ethan's expression. "How come you're not sure if you like someone or not?"

Ethan's gaze softened. "I'm not sure whether my feelings towards this person are called love or not."

"Tell me how you feel about this person, and I'll tell you whether it's love or not," Alex suggested, his curiosity piqued.

Ethan took a deep breath, his voice warm and sincere. "Well, how do I put this? I really want to stay with this person every day. Go to bed together and when I wake up, they should be the first person I see. I feel very warm whenever I look at this person, and my heart races really fast whenever I'm close to them. And my heart aches whenever I see this person cry." Ethan paused, his eyes searching Alex's. "And I don't even feel scared, even if I'm in an unfamiliar place, when I'm with this person."

Alex felt a slight tremor run through him at Ethan's words but kept his face composed. After listening, Alex said softly, "Isn't it obvious that you truly love this person?"

Ethan looked thoughtful. "Is it?"

Alex nodded. "Does this person know that you love them?"

Ethan shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Did you try telling them?" Alex asked gently.

Ethan sighed. "I didn't."

Alex gave him an encouraging smile. "Try telling them before it's too late, so you won't regret it."

Ethan chuckled, moving closer to Alex. He whispered in his ear, "Should I?"

Alex's ears turned bright red, his face following suit. Ethan chuckled again, enjoying the reaction. He moved even closer until there was barely any space between them, and hugged Alex tightly, shutting his eyes. Alex froze, his body stiffening as he felt Ethan's breaths against his neck. Despite trying hard to sleep, the sensation kept him wide awake.

It was around five in the morning when Alex heard someone knocking on the door. He struggled to free himself from Ethan's tight grip. Finally, he managed to untangle himself and went to open the door, only to find the stranger in black standing there once again.

This time, Alex knew that this person had something to do with what happened yesterday. The stranger said, "Good morning," and introduced himself as Lysander.

"Good morning," Alex replied, still groggy and disoriented. "I'm Alex."

Lysander smiled warmly. "Seems like someone is still sleeping. Why don't we take a walk and talk along?" He glanced inside the cottage.

Alex nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. They walked a short distance from the cottage before Lysander spoke again. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but let me tell you this: what you saw and experienced yesterday was actually your past life."

Alex felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean, my past life? I don't get it. Was I Adrian in my past life, and everything that happened to him happened to me too? I mean, I really don't get it."

Lysander nodded patiently. "Let me put it this way. You and the other person sleeping in your bed," he chuckled, "are destined to meet each other. Do you believe in the red thread?"

Alex nodded slowly. "I do."

Lysander snapped his fingers, and a red thread appeared, extending from Alex's fingers to the cottage. "You were meant to be together, but your life was cut short. So here you are, born again to meet your destined one."

Everything started to make sense to Alex, and he felt tears welling up in his eyes. His heart ached as he thought about his past life, but he also felt happy to be with his destined one in this life. "Who are you?" he asked, looking at Lysander with a mix of curiosity and gratitude.

"Think of me as Cupid or some heavenly being who helps people meet their destined ones," Lysander replied with a serene smile. "But be prepared; this is just the beginning. There will be challenges ahead."

As Lysander turned to leave, he added, "We'll meet again very soon."

The red thread didn't disappear. Alex returned to the cottage, following the thread back to the bedroom where he found Ethan still sleeping, a red thread attached to his pinky. Alex gave a slight pull on the thread, causing Ethan's pinky to move and then the thread disappeared. Ethan's eyelids fluttered, but he remained asleep. Alex's heart warmed at the sight. He climbed onto the bed, nestled close to Ethan, and buried his face in Ethan's chest. Ethan, now awake, didn't say a word but hugged Alex tightly.

When morning finally came, Alex tried to get out of bed, but Ethan pulled him closer, burying Alex's face in his chest. "Good morning," Ethan murmured into Alex's ear.

Alex, still unused to the closeness, blushed a little. They both got out of bed, and Alex freshened up first before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast. Ethan was still freshening up when Alex reached for the top cupboard to get some sauce. He felt a presence behind him and turned to see Ethan standing there, water droplets dripping from his hair. Alex's ears turned pink.

Ethan handed Alex the sauce, saying, "There you go."

Alex thought to himself, "Why am I always the one getting all red?" He reached up to touch Ethan's wet hair and whispered in his ear, "Go dry your hair."

Ethan felt a slight shiver around his neck, and his face turned pink. Alex chuckled, enjoying the moment.