Hurricane

5

Cassian Knight leans back in his chair after the board meeting, his attention split between the discussion he just had and the woman beside him. Her presence is both calming and unsettling, like a distant memory trying to surface. He glances at her from the corner of his eye, admiring the delicate curve of her profile and the way her hair frames her face. She feels inexplicably familiar, stirring a sense of déjà vu within him.  

As Cassian shifts his gaze to the meeting table covered in documents, the newly signed contract fades into the background, overshadowed by the rhythmic pounding of his heart. She notices his focus and moves closer, gathering the papers into a single pile. 

He takes a deep breath, inhaling her scent once more, feeling a strange certainty wash over him. Leaning in slightly, he can't resist her pull. When she turns her head and their eyes meet, time seems to freeze. Cassian's breath catches as he recognizes the same dark pools of mystery from his dream reflected in her gaze.

Tilting her head slightly, she worries that she has upset him. "Is everything alright, Mr. Knight?" she asks softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Cassian clears his throat, scrambling for a response. "Yes, I'm fine. Just... thinking about something important."

She nods, her gaze lingering for a moment before returning to the table. The scent of jasmine lingers in the air, reminding him of the dream that blurs the lines between reality and fate.

As he leaves the boardroom, Cassian's thoughts remain anchored to Luna. He can't shake the feeling that she is the one his grandmother foretold, destined to be part of his life. The mystery of her presence and the familiarity of her scent suggest it should be her, right?  But she was there that night, grandma must have seen her there.  

The jasmine scent lingers everywhere today, a reminder of the mysterious woman who has awakened a part of him he thought lost. Cassian takes a deep breath, the fragrance tickling his senses, and frowns. It can't be Luna, Cassian. Don't get carried away.

Cassian pauses by a window, gazing thoughtfully at the sprawling city below, a complex maze of steel and glass that reflects the vibrancy of urban life. As he observes the people bustling about, each representing a unique story and a myriad of possibilities, his thoughts inevitably drift back to Luna and the mysterious woman from his dream. Although he senses a hint of familiarity in the fragrances that linger in the air, he understands that it's unlikely that Luna is the same woman he encountered in his subconscious.

Attempting to clear his mind, he shakes his head slightly. "Focus," he mutters to himself, needing to refocus his attention. There are pressing meetings ahead, urgent reports to finalize, and the entire company to manage effectively. Yet, despite the demands of his professional life, the allure of the unknown tugs at him persistently, almost pleadingly, whispering a tempting thought: "Maybe having someone to love isn't such a bad idea after all." A faint smile appears on his lips as he considers this possibility, and he resolves resolutely to visit his grandmother later for wisdom and insights that might help him in discovering the truth about Luna. As he continues his way to his office, he can't help but ponder deeply about the woman that fate has seemingly chosen for him—the faceless figure whose essence remains shrouded in mystery, yet who might soon take on a more defined name and face. The anticipation of possibly meeting her adds a layer of complexity to his thoughts, stirring a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Upon reaching his desk, the crushing weight of responsibility returns, falling back on him with urgency. Cassian knows that maintaining his focus on work is essential, and he must not allow his heart to distract him from his professional obligations. Still, he cannot shake the nagging feeling that something significant, perhaps even transformative, is unfolding in the backdrop of his life.

He settles into his chair, which creaks softly under him, and opens his laptop, preparing to engage with the day's tasks. As he begins to sift through his emails, one particular message captures his attention—a formal invitation to a gala scheduled for next week. The thought of attending the event alone makes him cringe inwardly, as he yearns for companionship yet finds himself doubting the potential of being with another woman at the moment. "I must be losing my mind," he scolds himself internally, recognizing how tangled his emotions have become. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he quickly types a response, confirming his attendance at the gala. Despite whatever feelings he may harbour for Luna, he knows he needs to set them aside for the time being, concentrate on his business responsibilities, and patiently wait for the right woman to cross his path. In this moment of clarity, Cassian resolves to remain open to the possibilities life has in store, trusting that fate will guide him.

There's a knock on the door of his office, breaking the silence and drawing his attention. Isabella steps inside with a seductive smile, her confidence palpable. "Cassian, I've made you some coffee," she says playfully. Without waiting for an invitation or a response, she glides over to his desk with an air of familiarity, placing the steaming cup down gently in front of him.

While Isabella often annoys him with her forwardness and flirtation, he begins to think that perhaps her presence could serve a purpose. He might be able to use her as a distraction, a temporary escape from his thoughts of Luna, while also making it clear to Isabella that he is currently unavailable and not interested in her advances. 

Although Luna has never openly expressed affection for him, he senses an underlying attraction between them that complicates his feelings. He thinks, feeling unhappy, that there's no point in dragging someone along if another is likely to enter his life.