Kissed by Destiny, Lost in Time

Eira's perspective

"Stop right there you little thief!!" the moustached man shouted, his heavy footsteps closing in. But I was already gone, my feet pounding the pavement as I sprinted away, laughter trailing behind me. I was Eira, the town's former track star, and running was my domain.

As I ran, my mind flashed back to my past. I'd been a promising athlete, but lost interest and walked away. Now, at 22, my life was adrift. Three years of job hunting had yielded nothing but rejection and disappointment. Alone, with no family to turn to, survival was a daily struggle.

But today's chase wasn't about my struggles, it was about justice. The mustache man had tried to swindle me, thinking I was an easy target. Big mistake. I'd caught him red-handed and reclaimed my stolen cash, plus some extra for his trouble. "An eye for an eye" was my motto.

I hastily opened a car door, not minding whose it was, and jumped in, urging the driver, "Drive! Now, please!"

The driver, startled, hesitated. "Who are you? Why should I drive?" he asked, confusion etched on his face.

"Please, just go!" I begged, glancing back at the approaching mustache man. "I'll pay you any amount."

The driver's eyes narrowed, but he started the engine and sped away. I exhaled deeply, relief washing over me as I slumped into the seat.

"Mind telling me what that was about?" the driver asked, eyeing me in the rearview mirror. "You're not in trouble with the law, are you? I'd rather not have any unwanted attention."

I met his gaze, and my breath caught. His rugged features and piercing eyes left me breathless.

He looks...... Majestic.

"Wow," I whispered. "You're... stunning."

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "I've heard that before," he said, his tone laced with nonchalance.

Chiseled features, piercing blue eyes, and a strong jawline defined his ruggedly handsome face. Dark hair framed his sharp angles, while full lips hinted at a captivating smile. Confidence and charm radiated from his broad shoulders and lean build.

He didn't look like an ordinary person.

"What is your eyes so blue?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that really what you ask someone you've just met?"

I smiled sheepishly. "I was just wondering..."

Before I could finish, he pulled over and stopped the car. "Get out. I've done enough for you."

"Thank you," I said, stepping out onto the pavement.

But he didn't drive off. Instead, he fixed me with an intense gaze.

"Do you need something?" I asked, feeling a flutter in my chest.

"You said you'd pay me any amount I wanted," he reminded me, his eyes glinting.

I scoffed and rummaged through my purse before handing him some cash. "Here."

He glanced at the money, then back at me. "Too small," he said, his voice low and husky.

I let out a frustrated sigh and handed over more cash, but he remained unimpressed.

"Not enough," he said, his expression unreadable.

"Are you trying to suck me dry?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice.

He shrugged. "You offered to pay any amount I wanted."

I glared at him, digging into my purse and slapping the remaining cash into his hand.

He counted the bills, a sly smile spreading across his face. "This will do. Goodbye."

With a swift turn of the wheel, he sped away, leaving me stranded.

I scanned my surroundings, disoriented. The unfamiliar landscape stretched out before me like an alien world.

Panic set in as I pulled out my phone to check Google Maps, only to find out that the battery had run down.

To make matters worse, I was now penniless, unable to hail a cab.

"Seriously?!" I muttered under my breath, cursing the driver's audacity.

Had he intentionally dropped me in this desolate spot?

How would I get home now?

* * *

Arin glanced at me with concern as he navigated the streets. "What happened? How did you end up stranded? And what happened to your phone? Why did you call me with an unknown number?"

"I borrowed a phone and called you," I replied, relieved to be safe with my old friend. "I can't believe I was scammed by some random stranger."

Arin's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Tell me everything."

I took a deep breath, recounting my encounter with the deceitful driver. My fists clenched. "That goddamn driver, I'll make sure to pay him back if I ever see him again."

Arin chuckled. "You think you'll run into him again? He's just a random stranger."

I grinned, determination flashing in my eyes. "I hope we cross paths again. Revenge would be sweet."

Arin laughed. "You're something else."

We'd known each other since our orphanage days. Now, Arin had built a successful life, a job, a car, an apartment, and a girlfriend.....

An annoying one.

Just then, his phone rang. Tina's name flashed on the screen, and Arin's smile faltered.

"Tina's calling," I said, handing him the phone.

"I'm ignoring her," Arin said, his expression tense.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"It's nothing serious, I just need space from her right now," Arin said.

I nodded. "Alright."

Just then as I was about to drop his phone, an unknown number flashed on his phone. "Unknown caller," I said.

Arin frowned. "Pick it up for me."

I answered, and Tina's shrill voice pierced my ears. "Eira?! Why do you have my boyfriend's phone? Are you with him?!"

I winced, holding the phone away. Arin's expression turned grim.

"Give it to me," he said, taking the phone.

But his brief distraction proved disastrous. Another car slammed into ours, sending us spinning.

My world blurred. I remembered Arin's body engulfed in flames, his name on my lips, but my voice was too weak to call out.

Everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the stranger's car, the same one I had entered earlier.

The driver's voice jarred me back to reality. "You're not in trouble with the law, are you?"

My brow furrowed. Déjà vu washed over me. Hadn't I been here before?