His Obsession

07

  Accept the things to which fate binds you and love the people with whom fate brings you together, 

                                                                       and do so with all your heart.

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How much control do we have over our lives? Do we have a say in what happens to us, or are we bound by fate that's set in the stars? Most religions proclaim fate as part of a divine plan that we need to take upon faith, without questioning the underlying reasons. Yet, we're still going to be held accountable for our actions and choices. Cause and effect, actions and consequences, fate and free will. Where does one begin and the other end?

From ancient civilizations to modern-day philosophers and thinkers, we're no closer to finding a conclusive answer as to how much control we have over our destiny. We all make choices, still, we feel constrained by circumstances beyond our control. No one can predict success and failure, joy and sorrow, health and sickness, and all the gray areas in between.

 Fate is:

Unknowable: We can't know, with accuracy, what will happen the next moment, let alone a year, or a lifetime from now.Unpredictable: Events may unfold in ways that defy common sense and all of our statistics and predictions.Moderate and extreme: Fate can be viewed as a friend bestowing upon us good fortune beyond our wildest dreams, or as an enemy handing us the most painful and shocking experiences. It can also go unnoticed as it mildly guides our day-to-day life.

In diverse, plainer terms, fate cannot be avoided and you'd eventually have to accept it as it is. You can neither envisage it nor can you escape it. In my case, I have to deal with it. I have to deal with him, the man standing in front of me.

''What the fuck are you doing here?'' I asked with narrowed eyes. ''Are you following me?''

''Wait, you two know each other?'' Jen asked, completely bewildered.

I ignore her and look at my Ex-boss who was looking at me with a raised eyebrow and amusement shining in his soul-searing green eyes. ''So? have you?''

''Miss Stone,'' He says, rolling my surname off his tongue as though tasting it, '' I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no, I am certainly not following you.''

I scoff, ''Why the hell would I be disappointed?''

He opens his mouth to answer but is interrupted by Jen as she walks between us with crossed arms. She looks at me with an annoyed expression on her face and hisses lowly, ''Explain.''

I sigh before pointing towards Evan, ''He is my boss,'' she raises her eyebrow at me and I continue, ''Sorry, my mistake, ex-boss.''

''What is your ex-boss doing here?" she inquires, her voice full of skepticism.

''Beats me,'' I shrug.

''Wait, you mean to tell me that your ex-boss is here and you don't know why?''

''Nope, absolutely no idea.''

Evan clears his throat loudly and I suddenly remember his presence behind Jen, ''Can you keep it shut for a moment, I'm trying to investigate my friend here.'' Jen angrily says, without turning around, her glare fixates on me, causing me to nervously nibble on my lower lip.

He has his eyebrow raised in surprise when we made eye contact, his eyes were shining with mirth before I lowered my gaze back down to my friend, ''I honestly don't know Jen, I swear.''