Fate finds Destiny

Chapter 6| FATE

I don't know what we were both thinking. We held each other's hands while gazing at each other. It's a standstill between us in front of one of the fortune love stones. It was like we were both waiting for the other to say something first. I broke the ice.

"It was nice meeting you, Joseph, but I have to go."

Immediately, I removed my hand from his and turned around, preparing to run away. As I made my first few steps, I heard his voice calling my name. It was the first time that I loved how someone said my name. I turned around in an instant. Confusion replaced my excitement to see his face again. He had my passport in his hand as he walked toward me. I immediately took off my backpack. I felt like I was going to faint.

"I think somebody slashed your bag. I saw your passport coming out of your bag when you walked away. Can you check your bag?"

"My wallet is missing. All my money and my cards are there. Thank God my ID card is inside my passport holder. What am I going to do? She took my wallet."

"Don't worry; it's just money. Good thing you still have your passport and ID card. Do you want to call someone? Who are you with?"

"My cellphone is gone too. I came here alone, so I don't have anyone."

I felt so helpless. I felt fear creeping into me. Then, finally, I realized I was alone in a country far from where my parents were. And not just alone; I have nothing at all except my passport and ID card. It's the first time I traveled by myself, and this is what I got. I couldn't help but cry. How am I going back to my hotel? How will I get to eat for the remaining days and re-book my flight if I want to return home? I don't have money at all. I don't have anyone- except Joseph.

"I will help you. Where are you staying? The first thing you need to do is call your bank to cancel your cards." He sounded concerned.

"I am staying in the Saka Hotel. I need to call my parents, and I want to go home now."

"For now, call your bank; you can use my phone. Afterward, we will go back to your hotel. So stop crying, okay?" He wiped the tears from my cheeks.

My mind is floating. I can't think straight right now. I regretted leaving my parents without telling them where I was going. What if it wasn't just my wallet and my phone? I felt shivers all over my body, realizing that I could die alone in a far country and nobody would have known.

"Don't worry too much. Everything will be fine. I will stay with you." Joseph's words somehow comforted me. It's a crazy fate! I have no one to turn to except a stranger I met just an hour ago.

Joseph guided me to the nearest bench and gave me his cellphone. I called my bank to inform them about my stolen debit and credit cards. It just sank on me that the young girl who crashed me down did it on purpose. It was not accidental. I felt nervous again.

What if they are many? What if they are watching me? Will they follow me?

I started trembling. I wanted so much to see my parents. But when I looked at Joseph, he was staring at me. I can't say if it was of concern or confusion. I know he is the only one I have right now. He is the only one who can help me. But I doubted.

What if he is with them? Is this a setup? What are they planning to do to me?

I blamed myself. If only I didn't get caught up in the moment because of a man's chest. I looked at Joseph. Why wouldn't you, Fate? I shouldn't blame myself. It's all because of that jerk prince. If it were not for him, my parents wouldn't have talked to me about the arrangement, and I wouldn't have left New York.

I snapped back as I heard Joseph's voice, "How are you feeling? Don't worry too much. I called someone I know who works here and informed him about what happened. If someone finds and returns your stuff, they will call me."

"Thank you so much. I'm sorry to have taken your time and dragged you on this. Unfortunately, I have to go back to my hotel and check what options I have with the airline."

"I won't leave you here. I will bring you to your hotel. But first, let us find someplace to eat. Let us have dinner first."

I looked at him like I was looking at my knight in shining armor. I saw pity in his eyes, but I felt he was deeply worried about me. How can a stranger be so concerned with me? But I guess I shouldn't question anymore. I should be grateful.

Joseph knows his way. Though he said it was his first time in Kyoto, he came prepared. And it seems like he has connections. He took the time to talk to people in authority over the phone and reported the incident on my behalf.

I couldn't help but scan him while he was on the phone. His eyes are brown, prominent nose, pinkish-red cheeks, and perfect-shaped jaw how I would want to caress his face. And oh, his lips are perfect, not so thick and not so thin. I remembered how those lips brushed mine. So I ultimately went to La la land and daydreamed about him.

"Excuse me, Miss, Um... Excuse me, Miss." The server awakened me. I saw Joseph looking at me with his hypnotizing smirk. "Your order is complete. Do you need anything else?"

I shook my head. "I'm...I'm good, thank you."

I stuttered in answering the server, realizing that Joseph saw me, and probably he knew I was fantasizing about him while I was lost somewhere.

"Let us eat now. Just let me know if you need anything else." I gave him a half-smile and started eating with my head bowed down to my plate. I can't face him, knowing he can see me looking at him.

While we were in the middle of dinner, he asked a question I didn't see coming. "Fate, do you have a boyfriend?"