Could It Be You? |✓

(2) Collin

"I'm not interested," Emma retorts, "don't try to hit on me."

At that, Collin laughs, as if her proposition is absurd.

"No way, Emma. I'm not gonna do that."

Her vision blurs as she struggles to keep herself functioning. There seem to be three copies of the man in front of her, and she knows she's almost gone...

"Great. Nobody else does too. I am as single as a super single bed."

Emma runs her finger along the rim of her cup, revelling in the piercing, high-pitched sound produced. Where is Alice? Why isn't she coming back?

"Y'know, you don't have to sulk like this anymore- about being single and all. You'll be married next year."

The high-pitched screech comes to an abrupt stop. Emma swears she would have sputtered all over if she were drinking.

"Very funny," she remarks as she glares at him. What is wrong with this stranger? Or is that actually a very, very bad pick-up line?

"You'll be married in a year's time," he repeats gleefully.

"What are you? A genie?"

"Maybe. But yeah, you'll fall in love with him, then get married in Greece, and honeymoon in Japan, and then you'll have two sons. That's all I've gotta say."

Emma eyes him warily. "And how would you know?"

"Because I come from the future," he says matter-of-factly.

Emma staggers off her seat and towards the stranger. All the booze is making her floaty and she struggles to find her balance. The stranger attempts to help Emma stabilise her footing but she unkindly pushes him away.

"You're a liar," she enunciates in his face, not bothering at all about his face of pain when he smells her breath. She wags an accusative finger at him.

"I'm not crazy, nor am I lying, I'm speaking the truth," he insists.

"Alright, show me proof that you're from the future." Emma challenges as she holds out her palm.

He gently picks up the haversack he has placed on the ground. He whips out an identification card from his wallet, which, unmistakably states "2018-12-01" as the date of birth.

Emma chucks it back at him, unamused. "This could be fake."

"Then how do I convince you?"

With a smirk, she asks him for what she thinks is the impossible, intent on exposing the conman in him. "Show me your time machine."

"I can't, that's not allowed."

"AH-HA! You're a dupe!"

"No I'm not. I'm really not."

"Then who are you?"

"I'm Collin."

"WHO ARE YOU?"

He is unfazed by her outburst, and continues to look at her in a creepily affectionate way. Somewhat traumatised, Emma stumbles away from him.

"I'm your husband's son."

Emma blinks at him, then scoffs. "So you're my son?"

He simply shrugs. "Your husband is actually someone you've already met."

Emma stares at him incredulously, convinced that the man before her is insane. He could also be dangerous. He could be a psychopath, a serial killer ... She needs to run. She needs to escape quick. But no, she couldn't leave Alice behind, and her brain is hurting. He gives a long sigh, then rattles off, "Tomorrow, Donald Trump is going to become president-elect with 270 electoral votes. Republicans are taking everything. You are going to get promoted next Monday, Alice is going to get pregnant soon, and ... that's all I can think of for now."

He gingerly removes the necklace from around his neck and tucks it into Emma's hands. "It's nice to see you Emma, you still look beautiful 25 years from now." His words are earnest to the fault, and Emma finds herself softening.

"You know me?" she asks in disbelief. In a distance, she sees Alice emerge from the washroom.

"We'll meet again!" He gathers his belongings and heads to the exit, not forgetting to wave at Emma before he goes for good.

Emma slumps into her seat in puzzlement. Soberness drains from her every second, and before Alice could get to her, she has passed out on the counter, clutching the necklace in her hands.

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Thank you for giving this story a go! Do you think Collin is real? Did Emma simply imagine the episode?

Leave me comments and do give this chapter a vote! You reading this means the world to me! ♡