The Unexpected

Kasimir was a man on the run-hunted relentlessly by a powerful crime syndicate determined to capture him and make him pay for his past sins. Breathless and desperate, he jumped onto a passing bus, hoping it would be enough to lose the eyes chasing him. That was when he noticed Sapphire, sitting quietly at the far end of the bus, completely unaware of the danger unfolding around her as she calmly read her book.

Without hesitation, Kasimir rushed to her side and sat down. Startled by his sudden presence, Sapphire barely had time to react before he whispered urgently for her to hug him. Doubt flashed across her face, but she complied. She wrapped an arm around him, and Kasimir buried his face into her neck. A strange, unexpected shiver ran through Sapphire, a sensation she chose to ignore as she played along, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

Moments later, armed men boarded the bus, scanning every passenger one by one. When they reached Sapphire, they ordered her to show the man's face. She refused, claiming he was sick. One of the men shoved Kasimir's jacket aside with the barrel of his gun-and there, on his neck, were large inflamed rashes. They didn't know to them, Sapphire had secretly sprinkled matcha powder on him, triggering a severe allergic reaction she had quickly taken advantage of. Convinced they had the wrong person, the armed men retreated and left the bus.

As soon as they were gone, Kasimir grabbed Sapphire by the collar, demanding to know what she had done to him. His anger was fierce, but his body was already giving in to the allergy. Before he could hear her answer, his strength failed. He collapsed unconscious, his head falling onto Sapphire's shoulder-leaving her frozen in place, unable to move, until the bus finally reached her destination.

Thus begins The Unexpected-a chance encounter born from danger, where two strangers' lives collide in a moment that will change everything.