Whisper of Fate: A Quiet Love Story

Chapter 9: The Stranger I knew

Songs: Sadness - by Enigma (skip to 1:30 if you want)
            Coffee   - by Miguel
         
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June's Pov

"Alright, thanks, Dad! I'll talk to you later," I say, hanging up the phone with a sigh. Dad just informed me that one of his employees from the tattoo shop will be coming over tomorrow to help me with my moving boxes. I'm incredibly grateful that Dad and this mystery guy are doing this for me, but the thought of meeting someone new fills me with dread. I've never been great with new people, and now I'll have to spend hours with this guy, trying not to be awkward while making small talk. Not exactly my strong suit.

I collapse on the couch, my thoughts drifting back to the random guy I talked to at the coffee shop the other day. I still can't figure out why I did that. It was so unlike me to approach a stranger like that, especially someone like him. He didn't say much, just stared at me with this intense gaze, almost like he was sizing me up. Attractive? Sure. But also intimidating in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on. He seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn't mind being left alone—something I can definitely relate to.

Still, his presence lingered in my mind, unsettling me in a way I didn't expect. Why would I even talk to a guy like that?

A knock on the door jolts me back to reality. I look up, startled. "Come in!" I call out.

The door opens, and a tall, stunning woman with deep brown skin and gorgeous butterfly locs steps inside. She's striking, and I can't help but admire her hair—immediately making a mental note to find a hairdresser who can recreate that look for me.

"Hey, I'm Robyn," she says, her voice warm and inviting. "Ms. Campbell asked me to show you around since you're new here."

"Nice to meet you. I'm June," I reply, smiling back.

"Yeah, I know," she laughs. "Ms. Campbell gave me the rundown. Ready for your tour?"

"Sure," I say, turning off my laptop. I follow her out the door, feeling a bit more at ease now that I've met someone who seems genuinely friendly.

As Robyn leads me through the building, she points out various rooms and offices, making sure I won't get too lost on my first few days here. "This place is huge," she explains. "But don't worry, you'll only be working in certain areas. I'll show you the main spots for now, and you can explore the rest later."

I nod, trying to absorb the information while also keeping up with Robyn's energetic pace. When we reach the cafeteria, she turns to me and says, "This is where most of us hang out during breaks. You should join us sometime—we'd love to have you."

"Thanks," I reply, feeling a little shy. "I wasn't sure if I'd be intruding."

"Girl, no," Robyn laughs, waving away my concern. "You're not intruding at all. Everyone here is super friendly. We're like a big family, and you'll fit right in."

Her openness makes me feel more comfortable, and as we continue the tour, I relax a bit. Robyn's easy-going nature puts me at ease, and we start chatting about our backgrounds. She's from Barbados , like me and has been living in Chicago for the past 5 years, working as a designer for the company.

"So, how long have you been in Chicago?" Robyn asks, glancing at me as we walk.

"Not long," I reply. Choosing to not drop the lore about my parent's divorce and my mom's death. "I just moved back to be closer to my dad and some friends. I've spent the last few years.... exploring, but now I'm ready to settle down."

She nods. "That makes sense. I moved here for work, but sometimes I miss home. It's tough being so far away from your roots."

"Yeah, I get that," I say. "It's great that you've found your place here, though."