Selena – A Walk Through the Park
Honestly? I believed in fate now. That somewhere out there, the right person really was waiting for you — even if you weren't looking.
Felix and I had found each other young. We'd been through more than most couples twice our age, and yet… here we were. Happy. Whole. After everything that happened in my teenage years, I never imagined I'd end up engaged to my first love. But somehow, we made it. And now, side by side, we faced every challenge — including the ones in his mind — building our way toward a future that already felt like home.
We walked hand in hand through the park. The air was sharp and cold, nipping at our cheeks, but I didn't mind. The warmth of his fingers wrapped around mine was enough.
When I looked up at him, he was already looking at me — and just like that, the first snowflakes of the season began to fall, soft and silent. It wasn't even December yet. It felt like a sign.
We didn't have to say anything. Our eyes said it all.
That was, until Eve's voice shattered the moment.
"Stop flirting already! We're right here, you know!"
Her shriek sent a flock of birds into the sky, wings flapping in panic.
Before I could respond, Lily came sprinting toward us, throwing her tiny arms around both me and Felix with that unshakable energy only little kids possess. She'd fallen for Felix immediately — it hadn't taken more than a few hours.
"I missed you, Auntie and Uncle," she said sweetly.
God, my heart.
It hurt sometimes — knowing we lived so far from our friends now. These reunions had become rare. The last time they visited us in L.A., Hannah, Lucas, and even Sebastian had tagged along.
"We missed you too, sweetheart," I said, kissing the top of her head.
Felix stepped forward and clapped Mike on the shoulder.
"Man, is it just me, or have you been living at the gym? You're starting to look like the Hulk."
Mike grinned. "Mid-thirties crisis. I've got a hot wife — gotta keep her from running off with a younger man."
He said it just loud enough for Eve to hear, and sure enough, she rolled her eyes and fired back immediately.
"Oh please. You're probably going to the gym to hit on girls. Don't act like I'm the threat here. And if my daughter weren't right here, I'd have a few choice words for you."
"I already hear enough of your choice words at home," Lily grumbled, folding her arms with dramatic flair. "Mom, you treat Dad so badly. I have to tell Auntie and Uncle everything."
Felix and I widened our eyes, pretending to be horrified.
"If you two start fighting, I swear we're taking Lily with us," I said.
But she giggled and ran straight back to Mike, wrapping herself around his legs.
"I love you, but I still want to stay with my parents. Mom doesn't treat Dad that bad."
All four of us cracked up. She was so sharp — too clever for her age, really.
"My blood," Mike said proudly, ruffling her hair.
And me? I just stood there, surrounded by people I loved, knowing — with every fiber of my being — that life was good.
I only hoped it stayed that way forever.
***
Lucas – Mall Café Blues
"Fucking fate. I hate that word."
I muttered it into my coffee, watching the steam curl from the cup like smoke from a dying fire.
I was sitting in some trendy café inside a shopping mall, across from Hannah. Originally, this was supposed to be a quiet day — just the two of us. A little shopping. Some peace.
But of course, Sebastian had to show up and ruin it.
Like some divine joke, he appeared out of nowhere, glowing like a goddamn saint, talking about fate and destiny and gushing about the woman who'd apparently changed his life.
I could vomit.
I glared over the rim of my cup.
He used to look at me that way — not like a lover, but like a fucking lifeline. His boss. His mentor. His whole world revolved around me, and I liked it that way. Now? Now I was a background character in his love story.
Unacceptable.
To make it worse, his girl was smiling like she'd won the damn lottery. All teeth and sunshine, completely oblivious to the fact that her happiness was personally offending me.
If I'd known he'd go soft like this, I would've banned dating from my inner circle. Relationships were a virus.
"It's actually beautiful," Hannah said suddenly, sipping her latte like we were in a romcom. "Selena told me they met during a car accident — and then it happened again in a different city! Like, what are the odds? From hate to love… kind of like us."
I offered her my most cynical smile. "We're the original. They're the knockoff. Sebastian just copied me, as usual."
She rolled her eyes. "You're jealous."
"Jealous?" I scoffed. "Please. I just don't like watching my subordinates turn into golden retrievers. I raised that man to be a weapon, not a wet noodle."
"Lucas," she warned, laughing.
But I didn't laugh.
I watched Sebastian from across the food court, standing there like a walking Hallmark cliché, and made a mental note to kick his ass later.
Love was overrated. But betrayal?
That was personal.
He gave me a worried look, clearly sensing I wasn't in the mood. It didn't take him long to guess it had something to do with him.
Hannah, ever the peacemaker, kept the conversation going like nothing was wrong. She smiled sweetly at Sebastian's fiancée and picked up the thread again — like she'd rehearsed it.
"I've known Sebastian since high school," she said warmly. "So I'm honestly glad he finally met the right woman. I was starting to worry he'd work himself into the grave before falling in love."
She threw a pointed, furious look my way, as if this entire situation was somehow my fault.
I shrugged. "Because that's how it was supposed to be."
Violetta — that was her name, I think — kept sneaking glances at me like I might lunge across the table and stab someone with a butter knife. I didn't know whether to be amused or insulted. Probably both.
Then she spoke — and I had to admit, fate did have a twisted sense of humor.
"Fate can be hilarious," she said in a fragile voice. "Who would've thought that the first time I saw Lucas, he was riding a motorcycle, and I was sitting on a bus? The next time… well, it wasn't very pleasant. We met again in a nightclub, where I was… um… kidnapped by him."
I grinned, slow and devilish.
Violetta almost choked on her latte.
"Kidnapped?" she squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper.
God, she really was a trembling kitten. The type who probably apologized to furniture after bumping into it. I didn't like women like that. Too meek. Too nervous. No spine.
Still… I hadn't expected Sebastian to go for someone that submissive. But I guess even loyal dogs liked to be the master sometimes. One look at her and you could tell — she was built to follow, not lead.
Hannah, glowing with pride, leaned forward.
"It's a long story," she said with a fond sigh. "But there was definitely a spark between us from the beginning. No guy's ever made me fall like he did. I fought for his heart for over a year."
Violetta's eyes widened. "Wow. Lucas must be a hard nut to crack."
I gave her a flat look.
"I don't look like a nut," I said, deadpan. "All the more reason not to crack me."
Poor girl looked lost.
"Sorry," she muttered, clearly regretting every decision that brought her to this table.
Hannah jumped in quickly, smoothing over the moment like only she could.
"He's just a big kid. Always grumpy."
Yeah, maybe. But I was laughing inside.
Since I'd finally stopped tormenting Selena, it seemed I'd found myself a new toy. And if Sebastian wanted to bring his sweet little kitten into my life, then he'd better prepare for a few claw marks.
By proxy, she was basically family now. Another sister-in-law. Great.
I looked at Hannah, her beautiful eyes locked on mine, giving me that classic don't you dare glare.
I held her gaze, smirk softening. God, I loved her.
And for her? Yeah — I'd behave. At least until the meeting was over.
I'd listen for once. I didn't want her to be mad at me. Not tonight.
Who would've thought a guy like me could fall so stupidly, madly in love?
But here I was — grumpy, sarcastic, and totally gone.