When fate plays its hand

Miranda was momentarily stunned. “Dr. Jefferson? When did he get here?”

“Around 2:00 pm. He waited for over an hour. But since you haven’t returned, he left about ten minutes ago.”

Ten minutes ago…

“Miranda, is Dr. Jefferson under a lot of stress lately? Did their lab get assigned another project? They just wrapped up the last one not too long ago, and now they’re starting another.

She found it intense.

Miranda raised an eyebrow. “Why do you think that?”

“Well, it’s just… How do I put this? He didn’t look great. He had these huge dark circles like he’d been up for two nights straight. And when I talked to him, he barely smiled. His brow was so tightly furrowed.”

Miranda’s gaze flickered. “Maybe. Their lab is always busy.”

Madison wanted to say something but ultimately decided against it. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt Paul’s mood was unusually grim.

Paul sped all the way home and pulled into the garage. The parking spot next to his was empty, so he knew she had driven her car. If she was driving, why did she ride with Sawyer? Without a word, Paul went straight into his apartment.

Midway, Silas called his phone. “I could’ve sworn I handed you the analysis report before I left yesterday. How could it have gone missing?”

Paul stayed silent. This kind of trivial problem shouldn’t even be brought to him.

The sound of rummaging came from the other end of the line. After a long pause, Silas muttered, “Nope, it’s not here. I’ve searched every drawer and cabinet. If you don’t believe me, come search yourself. If you find it, I’ll eat my words–and the report.”

Paul said coldly, “So, you’re saying I lost it?”

Silas froze.

Fair point. That possibility was virtually zero. Anyone could misplace a report–except Over the years, Paul was the model of perfection and practically a living textbook.

Paul.

Silas sighed and realized how absurd his accusation sounded. “Fine. I’ll look again. There’s no way it just disappeared. I checked it right before leaving yesterday…” He grumbled as he hung

1. up.

By then, Paul had climbed the seven flights of stairs to his apartment. He pulled out his key,

unlocked the door, and stepped inside–only to use mid–step while changing his shoes, Sitting in plain sight on the entryway shoe cabinet was the analysis report Silas had been looking for.

Paul stared at it, dumbfounded. He wondered when he had brought it home. He had no recollection of it

Annoyed with himself, Paul immediately called Silas. “It’s here. I brought it home yesterday.” novelbin

There was a brief silence on the other end. “No way, Paul! Seriously, you? What’s going on? Have you hit a rough patch lately? This rookie mistake is one thing for me but not you.”

Paul said nothing.

“Not talking, huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t tell me you’re actually facing some big issue?” Silas asked.

Paul remained silent.

“Come on, spill it. Snowball fight fails again, or did something else not work out? This time of year, there’s not even snow for you to play around with. Besides, didn’t you learn it last time?”

Paul still said nothing.

“Not that either? Then, I can only think of something to do with Miranda.”

Paul’s breath hitched.

There was an audible pause before Silas exclaimed, “Oh my god! It did have something to do with her?”

“No!” Paul blurted as he fumbled to end the call.

Silas stared at his phone, baffled. He thought, “No? Then, why so defensive? Clearly, I struck a nerve. That reaction is as guilty as it gets. Tsk. Looks like the old flame’s about to reignite.”