Destined to Meet

A month had passed since Jane's unexpected encounter with Nick at the hospital. She had nearly pushed it out of her mind. Tonight, her company was hosting a dinner party. The venue was lavish, with soft lights casting a warm glow over the tables. Laughter and conversation filled the air as Jane moved from one group to another, greeting everyone and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. She didn't notice a familiar face watching her from across the room.

Nick also visited the restaurant with Adam, but he didn't expect to see Jane there. But now that he did, he couldn't look away. She stood out in the crowd, wearing a simple yet stunning black dress. The color made her features enhanced, and he noticed how effortlessly she stood out from others. She was laughing at something a girl said, which made his heart skip a beat.

For a moment, he just watched her, thinking about how to approach her with so many people around. His heart raced with excitement. He gathered his thoughts and started moving through the crowd. He wasn't sure how she'd react, but he was certain he couldn't just stand there. 

When he neared her, he felt his pulse quicken as she stood up from the seat and made her way towards the washroom. "Hi," he said, blocking her path, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. "Hi." She said it, dipped her head lightly in greeting, and walked away, wondering if she had actually recognized him. He felt disappointed as she walked past him without giving a second glance. He took his seat on the other side of the restaurant. His friend Adam laughed lightly, looking at him. 

"What's wrong, Nick?" He asked while taking a bite of the grilled pork. 

"She didn't recognize me." He said in a low voice. Adam coughed. 

"What?" He asked, looking her way. 

Nick kept stealing glances in her direction, hoping she'd look his way. But she was lost in conversation with her colleagues. He waited until their gathering was over and the people started to go out. This was his chance, he thought, and stepped forward, making his way toward her as she was about to leave. "Excuse me," he said, his voice light but with a hint of curiosity. "Don't you recognize me?"

She turned to him, her eyes scanning his face. After a moment, her expression changed, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Nick?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine surprise.

He smiled in relief. "The one and only."

She laughed softly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Wow… I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first."

Nick smiled. "It's okay, I don't exactly look the same as I did in the hospital."

She nodded, looking at him with a softness in her eyes. "Are you alright now?" She asked with a hint of concern in her tone.

"Much better, thanks to you," he said, his voice sincere. 

There was a brief pause, and then she asked, "Why did you leave without a word that day?"

"I had to, and I'm sorry I didn't get to thank you properly." he said in an apologetic tone.

She shook her head. "No need to apologize. I'm just glad you're doing okay now."

"You left a blank check for me, why?" she asked, her voice sharper than before.

Nick looked taken aback, scratching the back of his neck. "I didn't want you to end up paying for the medical bills. I heard you covered them; I just didn't want to burden you."

She rolled her eyes. "Then you should've filled in the amount instead of leaving it blank."

"I'll remember that next time," he said in a low voice.

She gave him a pointed look.

Nick tried to hide his grin from the way she scolded him but failed miserably. "So, what brings you here tonight?" 

"Oh, we had an office dinner," she said casually, then shot him a curious glance.

"And you?" She asked curiously.

"I came with my friend."

"Are you allowed in here?" She asked, raising her brows.

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking confused. 

"I mean, you look underage to drink." She said in a low tone, which made him laugh. She looked at him with a confused expression. 

"Do I really look like an underage guy to you?" He asked, stepping close to her. 

"What is your age then?" 

"Thirty," he answered, watching her eyes widen in shock.

"Thirty?" She asked in a raised tone, clearly surprised. "You're older than me?"

"Seems that way," he said, chuckling.

"And how old are you?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Twenty-eight," she answered, shaking her head like she'd been tricked. "Wow, the dramas are real." She mumbled to herself. 

"Dramas?" Nick asked, looking amused.

"Well, I'm a fan of Korean dramas, and all the male leads look much younger than their age. Have you seen Lee Yong? I was shocked to find out he's in his 40s. I thought he was in his 20s," she said, looking slightly disappointed.

Nick leaned forward, his face just inches from hers, pretending to be hurt. "Take a closer look."

Her heart skipped a beat to see his face so close to hers. Some of her colleagues who were waiting for the cab watched them and started gossiping. She noticed it and gave his chest a light shove, trying to put some distance between them.

Jane glanced at her watch, realizing how late it had gotten. She offered Nick a small, apologetic smile. "Well, it was nice meeting you again, Nick. I should get going."

Nick felt a sudden pang of disappointment, wanting to keep talking, but he didn't want to push her. Still, he couldn't just let her leave like this.

With a final nod, Jane turned to walk toward the exit. Nick stood there for a second, watching her, a strange, empty feeling settling in his chest. Something about her just felt... right.

"Nick," she called suddenly. He spun around, catching sight of her walking back toward him, quickening her pace. His heart skipped a beat.

"Give me your number," she said, her voice direct and confident.

His breath hitched, his pulse racing as she stood close to him, her eyes searching his face. He cleared his throat, trying to mask the fact that he was a little too eager. Without missing a beat, he grabbed her phone, typing in his number with a grin. Just as he was about to hand it back to her, he pressed the dial button, and his phone rang loudly in his pocket.

She laughed, and Nick shot her a playful, sheepish smile. "Guess that's my way of making sure you don't lose it."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well, let's catch up sometime," she said, her voice a little warmer now.

Nick nodded, his gaze lingering on her lips for just a second longer than necessary. "I'm counting on it."

She waved goodbye, and Nick watched her until she disappeared into a cab. Then, with a satisfied smirk, he turned and headed toward the car where his friend, Adam, was waiting.

"So?" Adam asked, grinning. "What happened? Did you get her number?"

Nick leaned back in the seat, looking happier. "She gave me hers."

Adam whistled. "Damn, man, that's smooth. You always make them come forward."

Nick laughed, shaking his head. "She is not like others." He said, glancing out the window with a confident smile.