The Ties of Fate

The quiet hum of the hospital at night did little to distract Nathan from his thoughts. As soon as Elena left the hospital, her face lingered in his mind. Her bravery, her calm demeanor in the face of danger, and the kindness she exuded captivated him in a way he couldn't quite understand.

Turning to his secretary, Thomas, who was seated nearby, Nathan broke the silence. "Thomas, I need you to do something for me."

Thomas straightened up, attentive. "Of course, sir. What is it?"

"Find out everything about her. From the day she was born until now. I want every detail."

Thomas gave a slight nod, hiding his curiosity about his boss's sudden interest. "Consider it done," he replied, leaving the hospital room to get started on the assignment.

The following morning, Nathan was resting in his hospital bed when a knock at the door broke the silence. "Come in," he called, his voice steady.

Thomas entered, greeting him properly before settling into the chair by the bed. But his expression betrayed a hint of confusion. "Sir, if you don't mind me saying… it's been days, and none of your family—your mother or your brother—has come to visit."

Nathan's face darkened instantly. His jaw tightened, and his usual calm demeanor gave way to something colder. "Don't bring them up again," he said curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Realizing he had touched a nerve, Thomas quickly shifted gears, offering a sheepish grin. "Understood, boss. My bad." He quickly added a lighthearted joke to diffuse the tension. "Well, at least you've got me here. Not the family you asked for, but pretty close, right?"

Nathan's lips twitched, and despite himself, he let out a small chuckle. "You're impossible, Thomas."

They laughed together, the tension lifting as their conversation returned to its usual camaraderie. Then, Thomas grew more serious. "I've gathered the information you asked for, sir," he said, pulling out his tablet.

Nathan sat up slightly, his interest piqued. "Go on."

Thomas began, his tone professional. "Her name is Elena Smith. She lost her parents in a terrible accident when she was ten. After that, she was raised by her mother's younger sister. At the age of twenty, she started living alone. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and all her education was sponsored by her aunt's husband."

Nathan listened intently, his expression unreadable as Thomas continued.

"She dreams of becoming a model and a successful businesswoman. Currently, she works at a small café near her house."

Thomas paused, then smirked as he added, "Oh, and one more thing, boss. She's single. A good girl, too."

Nathan narrowed his eyes, picking up the pillow on his bed and throwing it directly at Thomas. "Enough with the teasing, Thomas," he said, though a faint smile betrayed his amusement.

Thomas ducked, laughing as he caught the pillow. "I'm just saying, boss. She seems like the kind of woman anyone would want to get to know better."

The next day, Nathan was discharged from the hospital. Returning to his spacious home, he relished the quiet and allowed himself to relax. He sank into his favorite chair, the comfort a stark contrast to the sterile hospital bed.

As he was settling in, his phone rang, and the screen lit up with the name Kelvin—his younger brother, who was studying in Australia. Nathan answered immediately, his voice brightening.

"Kelvin! How's my little brother doing?"

"Not so little anymore, Nate," Kelvin joked, his voice filled with warmth. "I'm doing great. Classes are good, though I miss home. How about you? I heard about the accident—are you okay?"

Nathan's tone softened. "I'm fine now. Don't worry about me. Focus on your studies."

Their conversation flowed easily, filled with jokes and updates about Kelvin's life in Australia. For a while, Nathan forgot about the weight of his responsibilities and enjoyed the moment of brotherly connection.

After ending the call, however, his thoughts drifted back to Elena. Her face was etched in his mind, her courage replaying like a loop he couldn't escape. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he whispered to himself, "Are you back?"

Shaking off the thought, Nathan picked up his phone and dialed Thomas.

"Thomas," he began as soon as the call connected. "I'll be attending the board meeting at the office tomorrow. After that, I want us to visit Elena's café."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Thomas replied, "Understood, sir. I'll make the arrangements."

Satisfied, Nathan ended the call and leaned back again. He called for one of his maids, requesting a cup of tea. As he sipped the warm drink, his mind wandered once more to the woman who had saved his life.

Nathan couldn't explain it, but he felt drawn to her—not just because of her bravery, but because of the aura she carried. 

That night, Nathan's dreams were consumed by Elena. Her radiant face, soft smile, and quiet strength filled every corner of his mind. She was like a vision, appearing and reappearing in vivid fragments as he slept. For the first time in a long while, Nathan woke up with a sense of lightness.

As the morning sun poured through his bedroom window, he stretched and sat up with an unusual smile gracing his face. His good mood was infectious, and even the maids in the house noticed.

"Did you see him this morning?" whispered one of the younger maids as she adjusted the cushions in the living room.

Another maid, older and more experienced, nodded, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. "I've never seen him like this. He's usually so serious. What's going on?"

A third maid giggled softly. "Whatever it is, I hope it stays. It's nice to see him like this for a change."

They chattered in hushed tones, speculating about the reason for Nathan's newfound cheerfulness. Was it the accident? Or perhaps someone special? Whatever the reason, they were glad their boss wasn't snapping at them for minor mistakes.

Nathan arrived at his office later that morning, stepping out of his sleek black car with a confidence that turned heads. The female staff couldn't help but take notice as he walked past, his tailored suit emphasizing his sharp features and his rare smile disarming even the most composed among them.

"Wow," whispered Sharon, one of the receptionists, nudging her colleague Jessie. "He looks... happy? When was the last time we saw him smile like that?"

Jessie nodded, her eyes following him. "Never. Do you think he's in love or something?"

Sharon smirked. "If he is, whoever she is must be something special."

Meanwhile, the male staff exchanged confused glances, whispering among themselves about Nathan's unusually pleasant demeanor.

"Did the accident change him?" one of them murmured.

"Maybe," another replied, shrugging. "Or maybe he just woke up on the right side of the bed."

Unbothered by the buzz around him, Nathan went straight to the boardroom. The meeting was quick and efficient, his leadership sharper than ever. As the discussion wrapped up, he nodded to the executives and left without his usual lingering presence in the office.

Thomas, ever perceptive, knew his boss's next destination without needing a reminder. As Nathan stepped out of the boardroom, Thomas had already made the necessary arrangements for their visit to the café.

When Nathan and Thomas exited the building, it sent another ripple of surprise through the staff.

"Where's he going?" Jessie asked Sharon, her eyes wide.

Sharon shrugged, leaning closer. "I don't know, but he never leaves the office like this unless it's a serious deal."

Jessie smirked. "Maybe he's lost it. Do you think he's finally losing his mind?"

They both laughed quietly, though their curiosity about Nathan's unusual behavior lingered.

As Nathan got into his car, his thoughts were entirely on Elena. He could still picture her determined face from the night of the accident, the calm bravery she displayed as she saved him. There was something magnetic about her, something he couldn't ignore.

"Thomas," Nathan said as they drove toward the café, his voice steady but filled with purpose.

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you think I'm being too impulsive?"

Thomas glanced at him in the rearview mirror and smirked. "Boss, I think you're being human for once. It suits you."

Nathan chuckled softly, shaking his head. His secretary's blunt honesty was one of the reasons he trusted him implicitly.

When they arrived at the café, Nathan's presence caused a stir among the staff and customers. He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the warm, bustling space. His tailored suit and commanding aura stood out against the quaint charm of the café, drawing curious glances from everyone inside.

The barista froze mid-pour, her eyes wide as she whispered to a coworker, "Is that Nathan Reed? What's he doing here?"

Behind the counter, Elena was busy taking an order, completely unaware of the commotion Nathan's arrival had caused. But when she turned around and saw him standing there, her heart skipped a beat.

Nathan's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the bustling café seemed to fade away. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he approached the counter.

"Hello, Elena," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Elena blinked, caught off guard but quickly regaining her composure. "Mr. Reed? What are you doing here?"

Nathan chuckled softly. "I thought I'd stop by for some coffee... and maybe some company."

Elena's cheeks flushed slightly, but she managed a smile. "Well, you're in the right place for coffee. And as for company..." She glanced around at the busy café. "You might have to share."

Nathan chuckled again, the sound warm and genuine. "I don't mind."

As Elena prepared his order, the two exchanged small talk, their connection deepening with every word. Nathan couldn't help but feel that this was exactly where he wanted to be. And for Elena, the presence of the enigmatic man she had saved was both unexpected and intriguing.

Little did they know, this was just the beginning of something far greater than either of them could have imagined.