Meant to Collide

9. Memories in the Moonlight

The screech of tires and loud honking filled the air as Sky pulled Jules from the car's path, preventing a near-accident. Sky, his heart still racing, turned to Jules. "Are you that shocked? What's wrong? Did I give you so much work that you wanted to get hit by a car?" His voice carried a mix of worry and surprise.

Jules, struggling to hide the pain that lingered inside her, shook her head. "I just... spaced out for a second," she muttered, brushing it off as casually as she could. Then, hesitantly, she added, "Erm. Thank you."

Jules looked at him, concerned. "What about you? Aren't you leaving?"

"I was on the phone," Sky replied, his expression softening. "I ended up seeing you chatting with Sophie as I walked and talked. You seemed to be defending me pretty seriously."

Jules blinked, unsure how to respond, but before she could find her words, Sky broke the silence again. "By the way, do you have a nickname, Jules Parker?" Caught off guard, Jules answered quickly, "It's Mon—babe in Thai."

"Mon, I see. So, your name is Mon?" Sky teased, a playful smirk appearing. "Babe?" Jules grinned widely. "Did you just call me 'babe'?" Suddenly uncomfortable, Sky cleared his throat, distracting himself by asking, "How did you know I like dogs?"

Jules froze, but quickly came up with an answer. "Ahm, from interviews," she said, lying as politely as she could. "But in interviews, I said I liked cats." Sky raised an eyebrow, staring at her suspiciously.

"I must have made a mistake," Jules lied again, her heart racing under his gaze. Sky looked at her, his curiosity piqued. "Have we met before?" he asked, his voice soft with wonder.

For a brief moment, Jules flashed back to her past, memories she'd tried so hard to bury. Quickly, she snapped back to the present. "Erm, well—" she stammered, but Sky interrupted her.

"It can't be. You just started working here," he concluded, almost to himself. Jules nodded quickly, her eyes intense. "That's... right."

"How are you heading back?" Sky asked, concern creeping into his tone. "I'll take a taxi," Jules replied, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.

"This late at night? With a shirt that thin? Come here." His voice carried a command, and without waiting for her response, he introduced her to his sleek car. "This is my Black Knight."

"Is that your car's name?" Jules asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Of course." Sky nodded, amused.

As Jules admired the car, she suddenly felt the weight of a coat being placed on her shoulders. The warmth that came with it sent a shiver through her—not from the cold, but from Sky's gesture. She glanced up at him, her heart betraying her with every beat.

Sky noticed her stare and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" Flustered, Jules stepped back. "You reek of alcohol," Sky remarked. "Can you even make it to the office tomorrow?"

"Of course I can," Jules said, smiling shyly.

"You don't know your limit," Sky teased gently.

"You sound like a mother lecturing her daughter," Jules teased back. "Are you calling me old?" Sky shot her a playful look. "Nope, I meant the care," Jules replied, feeling more at ease now.

Sky, clearly uncomfortable again, asked, "So, how are you getting home?"

"I called a taxi earlier, but I'll just call again," Jules said. Without hesitation, Sky pulled out his phone and called for a VIP taxi. As they waited, he turned to her. "Your Line ID?"

"What?" Jules asked, surprised.

"So, you can text me once you reach home," Sky replied, half-yelling in a concerned tone. "Oh, yeah, sure." Jules gave him her Line ID. With that, Sky left once the taxi arrived, and Jules did the same, the warmth of his coat still lingering.

At home, Noah stepped out just as Jules arrived, looking content. "Why so late? I thought I'd pick you up," Noah said, concern in his voice. Jules teased him, "What, acting like my guardian now?"

Noah's eyes fell on the coat draped over her shoulders. "What's with the blazer?"

"Oh, this?" Jules said, recalling the events. "My boss gave it to me."

Noah's brows furrowed. "Weird boss of yours."

"He's not that bad. He even waited for my taxi," Jules replied defensively. "I would've given you a ride, unlike your boss," Noah muttered, but there was an edge to his voice. Noah then noticed the faint smell of alcohol on her breath. "Have you been drinking?"

"Just a little," Jules admitted. "Office party. Couldn't say no." Noah chuckled lightly but couldn't resist teasing her. "You're doing a lot for your boss, aren't you? It's always Sky, Sky, Sky."

Jules swatted his arm playfully. "You've got no right to be jealous, Noah. We're just friends." She laughed, trying to keep things light.

Later, after freshening up, Jules found herself staring at her phone, remembering Sky's request. She quickly typed, This is Mon, I've arrived, but just as quickly deleted it, second-guessing herself.

"He didn't mean it," she mumbled, closing her phone and getting back to work.