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CHAPTER 4: A Fateful Encounter

I sat by Leo's hospital bed, my fingers absently tracing the outline of my mother's old press pass. It was one of the few mementos I had kept from my previous life, a reminder of the woman I had once aspired to be. My mother had been a renowned host on a central television channel, her voice and presence captivating audiences nationwide. In my youth, I had dreamed of following in her footsteps, of one day commanding the same respect and admiration she had.

Life, however, had other plans for me. While abroad, I had managed to secure a position as a radio host, but it was different from the glamorous world of television my mother had inhabited. Still, it had been a start, a way to keep my dreams alive while caring for Leo.

The shrill ring of my phone startled me from my reverie. It was Anna.

"Natalia!" her excited voice came through the speaker. "I've got amazing news. Remember that major television station where your mom used to work? They're looking for a new editor, and I've got you an interview!"

My heart skipped a beat. This could be it – the opportunity I'd been waiting for. "Anna, that's incredible! When is the interview?"

We quickly sorted out the details, and I was filled with a nervous energy I hadn't felt in years. As I hung up, I noticed Leo stirring in his bed.

"Mommy?" he mumbled sleepily. "Why do you look so happy?"

I sat on the edge of his bed, smoothing back his tousled hair. "Well, little man, Mommy might have a chance at a new job. An exciting one."

Leo's eyes widened. "Like being on TV? Like Grandma used to be?"

I chuckled, marveling at how wise he was for a three-year-old. "Something like that. But you know what? Even if I get to be on TV every day, you'll always be my favorite person to talk to."

He giggled, reaching up to wrap his arms around my neck. "And you're my favorite person too, Mommy. Even more than Spider-Man!"

I gasped in mock surprise. "More than Spider-Man? Now that's what I call true love!"

We spent the next hour chatting and laughing, our conversation ranging from my potential new job to Leo's elaborate plans for when he becomes a superhero. As I looked at him, his eyes sparkling with mischief and joy despite the IV in his arm, I was again struck by how much he had changed my life.

Having gotten pregnant at 18, Leo and I were often mistaken for siblings rather than mother and son. But I wouldn't have it any other way. He was my rock, my reason for pushing forward even when everything seemed hopeless.

On the day of the interview, I was grey and gloomy. The skies opened up as I kissed Leo goodbye, promising to return with a full report of my adventure. By the time I reached the street, it was pouring rain.

I tried desperately to hail a taxi, but each one that passed was already occupied. As the minutes ticked by, I felt my chances of making it to the interview on time slipping away. Just as I was about to give up hope, I noticed a sleek black car parked nearby, its engine humming as if about to leave.

Without thinking, I rushed over and knocked on the window. The driver, a serious-looking man, rolled it down slightly.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. "I have an important interview at the television station. Would you be able to give me a ride? I can pay you, of course."

The driver hesitated, his expression unreadable. Taking his silence for agreement, I quickly opened the back door and slid in, relief washing over me as I escaped the downpour.

It wasn't until I had settled into the seat that I realized I wasn't alone. Sitting beside me was a man who took my breath away.

He was, without a doubt, the most striking individual I had ever encountered. Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that hinted at a powerful physique beneath, he exuded an aura of authority and control. His features were chiseled perfection – a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and eyes that seemed to pierce right through me. But it wasn't just his physical appearance that commanded attention. Something in his presence, a mix of cold indifference and raw power, made the air in the car feel electric.

A strange sense of familiarity washed over me as I stared at him. Could it be? Did he resemble the man from that fateful night four years ago? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Driven by an impulse I couldn't explain, I leaned closer, trying to catch his scent. I would like to confirm my suspicion.

Suddenly, the car jerked to a stop. I was thrown forward, sure I was about to collide with the front seat. But before I could brace for impact, strong arms caught me, steadying me against a firm chest.

For a moment, the time I was, I seemed to stand still. I was acutely aware of the man's proximity and the warmth radiating from his body. His scent enveloped me—a heady mix of expensive cologne and something uniquely masculine. My heart raced, and I found myself unable to look up, afraid of what I might see in his eyes.

The driver's voice broke the spell. "Is everything alright, Mr. Stone?"

Mr. Stone. The name echoed in my mind, unfamiliar yet somehow significant.

Realizing I was still pressed against him, I quickly withdrew, apologizing. As I did, I noticed my mother's ring had slipped off my finger. It was a long shot, but perhaps...

"Oh no," I said, feigning distress. "My ring. It must have fallen when we stopped."

I searched the floor, hoping he would bend down to help and give me a clear view of his face. But instead, I felt myself being lifted and deposited outside the car. Before I could protest, he handed me the ring, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.

And then, for the first time, I saw his face. My breath caught in my throat. It was him – the man from the restaurant who had so coldly dismissed that young woman. But more than that, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the shadowy figure in my memories from four years ago.

I stood there, stunned, as he handed me the ring and promptly drove off. When the car disappeared around the corner, I realized I had forgotten to ask for his name or contact information. How would I ever find him again in this vast city?

A gust of wind brought me back to reality, and I suddenly became aware of a draft. Looking down, I noticed with horror that one of my buttons had come undone, revealing the edge of my lace bra. Had he seen it? The thought sent a wave of embarrassment through me, quickly followed by anger. He hadn't said anything if he had noticed or offered me a chance to fix it.

As I stood on the sidewalk, rain soaking through my clothes, I was filled with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite untangle: frustration at my current predicament, curiosity about the mysterious Mr. Stone, and a lingering sense of connection that I couldn't shake.

But I didn't have time to dwell on it. I had an interview to get to, a future to secure for Leo and myself. With a deep breath, I straightened my shirt, hailed another taxi, and set off towards the television station.

As the city rushed by outside the window, I couldn't help but feel that something significant had just happened. This encounter, brief as it was, would somehow change my life. Little did I know just how correct that feeling would be.

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