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

Chapter 29

"SPORTS!" I shouted without a second's hesitation. "YOU’RE GOOD AT SPORTS!"

"What sports, Azalea?" my mom asked, raising an eyebrow. "And why are you shouting?"

"I’m not shouting, Mom!" I protested.

"Hey!" James greeted Eden as he approached, saving me from more questions. I sighed in relief and shot a glare at Ava, who just shrugged.

Eden left to change, and James and I started chatting.

“So,” James began, “how’s your new book going?”

“Good,” I replied. “There are still a few chapters left. I’m a bit confused about how to end it.”

“Oh,” he said thoughtfully. “Can I have a look at it?”

“Yes!” I said eagerly. “Let me go get it.”

I headed to my bedroom and started gathering the summary pages of my book when I heard the closet door creak open. I turned and saw Eden stepping out. I hadn’t known he was here. After what happened this morning, I definitely didn’t want to face him again so soon. I quickly grabbed the papers and moved toward the door, but he shut it before I could slip out. I tried to ignore him and reached for the handle, but he caught my wrist and spun me around. My back hit the door softly, and suddenly I was pinned between him and the door.

“What the hell?” I snapped, locking eyes with him.

“You can’t escape now,” he said with a smirk. “This morning, you got away, but not this time.” His words made me gulp.

“And...” he leaned closer to my ear and whispered, “I’m good at sports—especially the one you were talking about.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I could feel his breath against my ear. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing louder and louder.

Eden looked at me, then his gaze dropped to my lips. He started leaning in, inch by inch, making my heart race even faster. Our lips were just a hair's breadth away when there was a knock at the door. I pushed him away abruptly.

“Azalea!” It was Ava. “James just got a call from his office. It was urgent, so he left.”

“What?” I asked, opening the door. “We haven’t had dinner yet!”

“I know,” Ava said, clearly disappointed. “But it was urgent.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll make it next time,” she added with a smile. “And I’m here.”

After dinner and some chatting, we sent Ava home with the driver. I returned to my room, feeling anxious that Eden might show up and... ugh, who knows. But as the clock passed one, he still hadn’t come, so I finally went to sleep. When I woke up in the morning, he wasn’t there. That meant he never came to my room last night. But why...?

Maybe he was busy, and Mom didn’t check his room, so he didn’t come. That was easy enough to guess. My parents were leaving this morning, so I hurried to get ready for the day.

The house was quieter than usual with my parents getting ready to leave. I dressed quickly, hoping to catch them before they headed out. As I made my way downstairs, I caught the sound of hushed voices coming from the living room.

"Are you sure everything is alright?" my mom asked, her tone filled with concern.

"Yes, yes. Don't worry, we're doing just fine," Eden replied, his voice calm and confident. I paused on the stairs, staying out of sight but close enough to listen.

"You know, Eden," my dad continued, "we weren't sure if she would ever settle down with someone, but she was lucky to meet you. She might act tough, but she's still a kid at heart." There was a brief pause, and I felt my face flush with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.