Meant to Collide

28. The Unmet Promise

Jules wandered through her kitchen, rummaging for a carton of milk to offer her sister when her phone buzzed. She glanced down to find a message from Sky, his dinner in view: a glistening prawn, beautifully plated. "This prawn is expensive," he noted. Jules chuckled at the image, amused by his delight.

Meanwhile, Sky waited eagerly for her response, dinner set and waiting. A moment later, Jules replied: "I've never had that before—only dried shrimps!" Her reply brought an immediate reaction, as Sky thought it over before texting back. 

"Of course, you haven't," he replied playfully. "It's pricey."

"Yes, I know. Is that all?" she responded, a hint of laughter in her words.

The scene shifted to Jules' place, with the two texting side by side, each step drawing them closer. Sky sent another message, "Tomorrow's a holiday. I must eat at 10 a.m. sharp; the restaurant has to serve river prawns." Jules laughed, amused at his precision and excitement. "You're asking me to go have river prawns together at Dame, right?"

"I knew you'd get it," Sky replied, pleased. "I'll pick you up at 9 a.m. sharp."

Just then, her oven beeped, and both paused, gazing at their food from across different homes—Jules at her oven, and Sky at his neatly set table.

Morning arrived faster than anticipated, and Jules dressed with care, her excitement palpable. She chose a chic white outfit, perfectly offset by a pink sling bag. Her father noticed and smiled, "Beautiful as ever!" 

He called her mother over, who arrived with a bowl of food for Shiro, their dog, guessing, "So it's as I thought? You must've shown him the puppy's picture early on." They teased each other, laughing at inside jokes.

"Didn't you say Sky was coming at 9?" her father asked, noticing the time. "It's almost 10. Maybe give him a call?"

Jules glanced at her phone, hesitant but ultimately deciding against calling him. Yet, at Sky's place, things took a turn. Just as he stepped out, Mia appeared, blocking his path. 

"You didn't confirm your plans, so I assumed you'd be free," she said, her voice insistent.

Sky, visibly frustrated, tried to keep moving. "I already have an important arrangement today," he retorted.

But Mia wasn't letting go. "More important than running an errand for grandmother? Did you forget about your promise to her? You said you would go there to talk about her land near NYC." She added pointedly. Sky froze, Mia's words digging in. "Perfect," Mia said with a finality that left him trapped. "Let's go."

Back at Jules' home, she waited, and with each passing minute, her excitement shifted to unease. Finally, her phone chimed, a message from Sky. "I have to postpone our plans today." She stared at the text in disbelief, her heart sinking. She hadn't just waited for Sky—her family had been waiting too, each minute adding to the anticipation that now felt painfully unmet.