The Ties of Fate

Later that evening, Nathan and Kelvin decided to visit Elena at the café. When they arrived, they noticed Elena and Mia packing up their things, preparing to leave for the day. Nathan and Kelvin leaned casually against the car, chatting while waiting.

As soon as Elena and Mia stepped out, they froze in surprise.

"Nathan? Kelvin?" Elena said with a wide smile.

Nathan opened his arms, and Elena walked over to give him a warm hug.

Mia, standing beside her, smirked. "Wow, that's quite the greeting," she teased.

Kelvin chuckled. "I guess we're just background extras here."

Nathan pulled back from the hug, smiling at Elena. "We thought we'd catch you before you left. How about dinner at the restaurant next door?"

Before Elena could respond, Mia shook her head. "I can't tonight. My grandma is visiting, and I need to get home."

Nathan grinned. "Ah, duty calls. Give your darling grandma my regards."

Mia laughed. "Will do."

Kelvin stepped forward. "If you don't mind, I can drop you at home, Mia."

Mia lit up. "I'd love that, Kelvin. Thanks!"

Kelvin winked at Nathan and Elena. "You two enjoy your dinner. We'll catch up later to drop Elena home."

The pairs parted ways—Kelvin and Mia drove off while Nathan and Elena walked toward the restaurant. The restaurant, just steps away from the café, was warm and inviting. Nathan pulled out a chair for Elena before taking his seat across from her.

Throughout the meal, Nathan couldn't take his eyes off Elena. He watched her every move, a soft, admiring smile on his face.

After a while, Elena looked up, catching his gaze. "Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, her cheeks tinged pink.

Nathan didn't answer immediately, his smile growing. Finally, he leaned forward and said softly, "You're beautiful, Elena."

The words hit Elena like a bolt. Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed, and she struggled to find her voice. "Th-thank you," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan reached out and gently took her left hand in his. "It's nothing. I'm just telling the truth as a true friend."

Elena's heart felt like it might leap out of her chest. The warmth of Nathan's hand sent shivers through her, and she couldn't decide if it was nerves or something more.

After a few moments, Nathan let go of her hand, and they resumed eating. The conversation flowed naturally, filled with laughter and shared stories.

After dinner, Nathan and Elena stepped outside for some fresh air. The night was calm, and the streetlights cast a soft glow on the quiet surroundings.

"This is nice," Elena said, looking up at the stars.

Nathan nodded. "It's peaceful. I like moments like this."

They continued their conversation, talking about dreams, goals, and random little details about their lives. Everything about the evening felt magical to Elena, but it left her questioning her feelings.

"Why does being around Nathan feel so... different?" she thought to herself. "Is this just friendship, or is it something more?"

Meanwhile, in the car, Kelvin and Mia were having a lively conversation.

"You're really funny," Mia said, laughing at one of Kelvin's jokes.

Kelvin grinned. "I get that a lot. You're not too bad yourself, you know. You've got a quick wit."

Mia rolled her eyes playfully. "Careful, Kelvin. Flattery might make me expect more jokes."

They continued bantering until they reached Mia's house.

Shortly after, Kelvin and the driver returned to pick up Nathan and Elena. The four of them got into the car, with Nathan and Elena in the backseat and Kelvin sitting up front.

As the car made its way through the quiet streets, Nathan and Elena continued their sweet conversation.

"Do you always have this much energy after dinner?" Elena teased, smiling at Nathan.

"Only when I'm around you," Nathan replied with a wink.

Kelvin, sitting in the front seat, couldn't help but grin as he listened. He whispered to the driver, "These two should just get married already."

The driver chuckled softly, while Nathan and Elena remained immersed in their conversation, oblivious to the quiet amusement in the front seat.

When they reached Elena's house, Nathan stepped out of the car to open the door for her.

"Thank you for tonight," Elena said, smiling up at him.

Nathan returned the smile. "Anytime. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

Elena nodded. "Goodnight, Nathan. Goodnight, Kelvin."

As she disappeared into her house, Kelvin leaned over from the front seat. "So, big bro, when's the wedding?"

Nathan playfully shoved Kelvin's shoulder. "Get in the car, you clown."

The brothers laughed as they drove back home, the warmth of the evening lingering in the air.

After returning home, Nathan couldn't resist calling Elena to check on her.

"Hey, Elena. Did you enjoy dinner tonight?" Nathan asked, his voice warm.

"I did," Elena replied with a soft laugh. "It was lovely. Thank you."

Nathan hesitated briefly. "Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to see you again."

Elena smiled. "I am. What's the plan?"

"I'll send a driver to pick you up," Nathan said confidently.

Elena agreed, and they said their goodnights, both going to bed with smiles on their faces.

The next morning, Nathan arrived at his office earlier than usual. His charming smile and glowing demeanor didn't go unnoticed.

"Did you see him today?" Jessie whispered to Sharon.

"I did," Sharon replied, her eyes wide. "He's practically glowing. What's gotten into him?"

The staff began speculating and joking about Nathan's unusual behavior.

Three hours later, Nathan left the office again, much to everyone's surprise.

"He's leaving early again?" Jessie remarked.

"I told you, something's up," Sharon said, narrowing her eyes.

As they speculated, Sharon's mind drifted back to the day Kelvin had saved them.

"Wait a minute…" Sharon gasped. "Remember when Kelvin said a name—Elena? That's what calmed Nathan down!"

Jessie's eyes widened. "You think Nathan's in love with someone named Elena?"

Sharon nodded. "It all makes sense now."

The two gossiped excitedly, unaware that Jenny was sitting nearby, listening intently. Jenny stood up abruptly, her mind racing.

Jenny slipped into the restroom and quickly dialed a number on her phone.

"Hello?" a woman's voice answered.

"I think Nathan's in love with someone," Jenny whispered. "Her name is Elena."

The woman on the other end paused before replying, "Find out everything about her. I want photos, details—everything."

"I'll handle it," Jenny promised before ending the call.

As she opened the restroom door to leave, she froze. Jessie was standing there, her hand on the door.

Jenny's heart raced. "What are you doing here?"

Jessie blinked. "I just got here. I was about to use the restroom. I didn't know you were in there."

Relieved, Jenny nodded and walked past Jessie, trying to act nonchalant.

Back at the mansion, Nathan was busy preparing for Elena's visit. He instructed the maids to prepare delicious meals, fruit juice, and chilled red wine. Upstairs, he changed into a sharp, casual outfit.

Kelvin noticed the activity around the house. The enticing aroma of food, the maids bustling around, and Nathan's meticulous attention to his appearance didn't escape his notice.

Kelvin smirked. "What's all this, big bro? A special guest?"

Nathan shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Elena will be here soon."

Kelvin laughed, clapping Nathan on the shoulder. "Ah, the princess is coming! No wonder you're all dressed up like a movie star. Don't forget to breathe, lover boy."

Nathan chuckled, ignoring Kelvin's teasing.

Forty minutes later, Elena arrived, stepping out of the car in a stunning short blue dress. Nathan's breath caught as he saw her.

"You look amazing," Nathan said, his smile widening.

Elena blushed. "Thank you. Your mansion is… incredible."

"Come inside," Nathan said, extending his hand. "Make yourself comfortable."

Kelvin greeted Elena warmly before excusing himself to return to the office, leaving the two alone.

Over a beautifully prepared meal, Nathan and Elena shared stories about their lives. Nathan wanted to confess his feelings but hesitated. Instead, he said, "There's someone I'm in love with, but I don't know how to tell her."

Elena's heart sank, though she couldn't understand why. "You should tell her," she said, her voice soft. "Before it's too late."

Nathan nodded, but her words left him feeling unsettled.

Back at the office, Kelvin was focused on his work when he received a call from his younger sister, Aria.

"Hey, baby chaos," Kelvin said teasingly. "What's up?"

"I'm at the airport," Aria replied. "I'm on my way to Nathan's mansion."

Kelvin's eyes widened. "You're what? I thought you weren't coming until next week!"

"I changed my mind," Aria said cheerfully.

Kelvin's heart sank as he suddenly remembered Elena, who looked exactly like Katrina, was with Nathan at home.

"Elena… oh no." Kelvin muttered under his breath.

"Go home, Aria. I'll meet you there later," Kelvin said hastily before hanging up. He immediately tried calling Nathan, but the call went unanswered.

"Why now, of all times?" Kelvin groaned, grabbing his coat and rushing out of the office.

As Kelvin hurried out, Jessie, who was on her way to his office, noticed his urgency.

"Why's he rushing like that?" Jessie wondered aloud. She turned back to her desk, her curiosity piqued.

Back at the mansion, Nathan and Elena were sitting in the garden, enjoying the serene atmosphere. Elena looked around, marveling at the beauty of the place.

"You really have an incredible home," she said.

Nathan smiled. "It's even better with you here."

Elena blushed, but before she could respond, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway interrupted them.

"Who's that?" Elena asked, standing up.

Nathan frowned. "I wasn't expecting anyone."

As the car door opened, Aria stepped out with her usual energy. Nathan's eyes widened in surprise, and Kelvin's earlier warning echoed in his mind.

The tranquil garden atmosphere shattered as a car pulled into Nathan's mansion. Aria stepped out, her energy as vibrant as ever. Nathan was caught off guard.

"Aria?" he said, standing up from the bench where he and Elena had been talking.

Aria squealed with joy and ran toward him, throwing her arms around her older brother. "Nathan! I've missed you so much!"

Nathan chuckled, hugging her tightly. "It's been two years, baby chaos. You've gotten shorter."

Aria pulled back, frowning. "Shorter? You're still calling me that?" She playfully punched his arm, laughing.

As they bantered, Aria's gaze shifted to Elena, who had risen to her feet, watching the reunion with a smile. Nathan noticed and turned to introduce them.

"Aria, this is my friend, Elena. And Elena, meet my little sister, Aria," Nathan said warmly.

Elena extended her hand politely. "It's nice to meet you, Aria."

As soon as Aria locked eyes with Elena, her expression froze. She stepped back, her eyes wide with shock.

"Katrina!" she screamed, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Elena flinched at the sudden outburst. "I… I'm sorry? My name is Elena," she said, confused by the reaction.

Nathan's face tensed. "Aria, calm down. This is not Katrina."

But Aria wasn't listening. "Katrina, what are you doing here?" she demanded, pointing at Elena. "We thought you were gone! Why are you back? What are you trying to do to our family again?

Just then, another car sped into the driveway. Kelvin leaped out, sensing the tension immediately. Putting on a forced smile, he rushed to Aria's side.

"Aria, stop it," he said firmly, grabbing her arm to pull her aside.

Aria pushed him away, her voice rising. "No, Kelvin! Don't you see? It's her! She's back, and she's playing everyone again!"

Kelvin's voice dropped to a whisper. "Aria, she's not Katrina. Her name is Elena. I told you this before. You're scaring her."

Aria pointed at Elena, her eyes filled with pain. "How can you not see it? She looks exactly like Katrina! How can you stand here and act like this is normal?

Elena, overwhelmed by the confrontation, turned to Nathan. "What's going on? Who's Katrina? Why does she keep calling me that?"

Nathan placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Elena, I'll explain everything. Just give me a moment."

Aria, however, was relentless. She glared at Elena. "You destroyed our family, Katrina. You made us believe in you, trust you, and then you betrayed us. You left Nathan broken and tore us apart!"

Elena's face turned pale. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not Katrina. My name is Elena," she said, her voice trembling.

Nathan finally stepped between Aria and Elena, his voice firm. "That's enough, Aria! This isn't Katrina. She's someone else. You're scaring her, and you need to stop."

Kelvin stepped forward, backing Nathan up. "Aria, let's go inside and talk. This isn't the way to handle this."

Aria hesitated, her emotions swirling, but finally let Kelvin lead her toward the house.

Nathan turned to Elena, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry about that. Let me explain everything."

As they sat back down, Nathan took a deep breath. "Katrina was someone I cared about deeply. She was a close friend… or more than that, at one point. But there were misunderstandings, and she left. She disappeared without a trace, and we all thought she might never come back."

Elena listened intently, her confusion giving way to sympathy. "And I remind you of her?"

Nathan nodded. "You look exactly like her. That's why Aria reacted the way she did. She's still dealing with everything that happened back then."

Elena frowned. "I'm sorry if my presence is causing any pain. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Nathan shook his head. "You're not to blame, Elena. You've brought a lot of light into my life. Don't let what just happened change anything between us."

Inside the house, Kelvin sat with Aria in the living room.

"Aria, you need to calm down," Kelvin said.

Aria buried her face in her hands. "How can I, Kelvin? She looks just like Katrina. It's like seeing a ghost."

"I know it's hard," Kelvin replied gently. "But she's not Katrina. Her name is Elena, and she's not here to hurt us."

Aria looked at him, her voice trembling. "What if she does, Kelvin? What if Nathan gets hurt again?"

Kelvin sighed. "Nathan's happy, Aria. Don't take that away from him."

As the evening wound down, Nathan walked Elena to her car.

"I'll call you tomorrow," he said softly.

Elena nodded. "Thank you for explaining everything."

Kelvin watched from the doorway, his mind heavy with worry. Upstairs, Aria stood by the window, her thoughts racing as she stared out at the driveway.

Nathan walked back into the mansion, his steps firm but his expression calm. He headed straight to Aria's room, determined to address her earlier outburst.

Pushing the door open, he found Aria sitting cross-legged on her bed, her face a mix of guilt and defiance.

Nathan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Just like your nickname, Baby Chaos, you've managed to cause trouble—again."

Aria frowned, looking down at her hands. "I didn't mean to…"

Nathan stepped closer, his voice firm but calm. "The woman you embarrassed today isn't Katrina. She's Elena. My friend. And before you even start doubting, I've already investigated everything about her. You should know I don't just make friends with anyone without knowing who they are."

Aria looked up, her eyes searching his face.

"They just happen to look alike, Aria," Nathan continued. "And trust me, a few months ago, I had a terrible accident. Elena saved my life. She's been checking on me ever since. If anything, the universe might be trying to replace Katrina with someone better—someone like Elena."

Aria blinked rapidly, as if trying to process his words. Nathan moved closer and softened his tone. "I know you care about me, but you need to let go of the past. Elena isn't Katrina. Don't let your assumptions ruin something good, Baby Chaos."

Aria sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. "I… I'm sorry, Nathan. I didn't mean to embarrass her."

Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled gently. "Good. Now let's put this behind us."

Kelvin appeared at the doorway, grinning. "Well, well. Is Baby Chaos finally calming down?"

Aria playfully threw a pillow at him. "Don't push your luck!"

The siblings laughed, and the tension slowly eased .Later that night, after a long day, Nathan sat in his room, thinking about Elena. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

"Hello, Nathan," Elena's soft voice greeted him.

"Hey, Elena. I just wanted to apologize for my sister's behavior earlier," Nathan said, his tone filled with sincerity.

Elena chuckled lightly. "It's okay. She seems… passionate."

Nathan smiled. "That's one way to describe her. She's usually harmless, but she let her emotions get the better of her today."

Elena's voice softened. "Don't worry about it. I understand. Besides, the rest of the day was lovely."

Nathan felt a wave of relief. "I'm glad to hear that. And I hope you're not letting her words bother you."

"I'm not," Elena replied. "It's just… I do wonder who Katrina was to you."

Nathan hesitated, his mind briefly flashing back to painful memories. "Someone who was important to me in the past," he admitted. "But that's where she belongs—in the past."

Elena didn't press further, sensing it was a sensitive topic. They shifted the conversation to lighter subjects, sharing jokes and reminiscing about their earlier dinner. Their laughter filled the air, easing the weight of the day.

Meanwhile, in her room, Aria sat with her phone in hand, her mind racing. Despite Nathan's explanation, she couldn't shake the eerie resemblance between Elena and Katrina.

"I'm not convinced," she muttered to herself.

As the self-proclaimed gossip and spoiled youngest sibling, Aria decided to take matters into her own hands. She picked up her phone and dialed her mother.

"Hello, Mother?" Aria's voice was urgent.

"Aria? It's late. What's going on?" Mrs. Reed replied, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Mother, I saw her today," Aria blurted out.

Mrs. Reed paused. "Saw who?"

"Katrina!" Aria exclaimed. "She's back! Or at least, someone who looks exactly like her. She's with Nathan right now!"

Mrs. Reed's breath hitched. "Are you sure? This isn't some wild imagination of yours, is it?"

"I'm sure," Aria insisted. "Nathan says her name is Elena, but I don't buy it. What if she's pretending? What if she's here to hurt him again? You need to come to the U.S. and see her for yourself."

There was a long silence before Mrs. Reed replied. "I'll be there tomorrow morning. Keep an eye on your brother until then."

"Okay, Mother," Aria said, her voice firm.

After hanging up, Aria's mind continued to race.

Unable to sleep, Aria grabbed her laptop and started searching for Elena's name online. She scoured social media profiles, news articles, and public records.

"She's a café worker. She's got no ties to Katrina's past," Aria mumbled to herself, scrolling through pages of information.

But despite her efforts, she wasn't satisfied. "Something's still not right," she muttered, slamming her laptop shut.

Her gaze drifted to the window, where the moonlight bathed the garden. "Mother will know what to do," she thought, a determined look in her eyes.