Coincidence or fate?

If I had to describe my love life to someone. I would probably say that it's just complicated and that love is harder than it seems. For me, it's more on the unlucky side if I could say so myself. After the last fallout that led to the "breakup" with my date, I decided that I should just take a break. A break from dates, a break from situation ships, a break from romance. My mother tried her best to convince me not to give up yet. That true love takes time and I had a special gift of attracting the wrong people ever since I got my first ever boyfriend. I was just 16 years old. A dumb kid head over heels for some guy. Just like any other teenage girl. Except.. I'm sure they weren't a bet. That they graduated happily with their boyfriends instead of being ridiculed in front of his group of friends.

That was my first ever heartbreak. The first time I swore I heard my heart shatter, break into a few pieces. As much as my friends tried to cheer me up, telling me he wasn't worth it and he was a jackass, nothing worked. That's where it all began. From there on, I started caring more about how I looked and what I was wearing. I wouldn't leave the house unless I had makeups on. My parents were concerned, but my dad told my mother that it was just a phase and I would grow out of it.

I didn't. Up till, I met Chris in college. I was 21. I learned my lesson from last time and was more careful this time. I took it slow, and we were happy together. I could be myself around him. A care-free dumb adult. It lasted 9 months before we both left each other. Our paths were different. He wanted to go work in another country and take me with him. I refused, wanting to stay close to my family. He couldn't refuse the amazing job offer he got, so we both decided to part ways As much as it was a good breakup on both terms, my heart burned for two weeks straight.

Thank god I finished college, because I was a couch potato for two weeks straight. I would've probably failed a few exams because of it. Mom tried to boost my morale every way she could. Eventually, it worked and I got out of it. I got on my feet again and got a well-paying job at a high end company.

I tried dating another time. One last time. Convinced myself to think that maybe it was finally going to be my turn for my love story. That I was finally going to find the ONE. It led to nothing. He kept on talking about some woman he met on tinder and asked me my opinion about her on our second date!

Every single one of those times, I ended back in my mother's arms, bawling my eyes out asking myself if I was that unlovable after drinking way too much wine. I was single at 23! That was the age where everyone is settling down and starting to think about their futures together. Then there was me! A loser who couldn't find no one cause she was waiting for "the right one". We talked almost all night. But then, she told me something I'll never forget. 'Don't put yourself down like that sweetheart. It's just because you haven't met the one made for you yet.' Then to attempt to cheer me up, she told me that she had a bad feeling about all of them. It didn't work.

The days grew longer and longer. Snow slowly started to fall on mother earth's leaves. Covering the grass and the trees in white. The air was colder than ever. Maybe I was just never meant to find THE one for me? I started to concentrate my focus on something else. I focused on my job. It was the only thing keeping me sane from seeing all my co-workers making plans with their lovers to go on vacation in the south. To go lay on the beaches and have fun at adult hotels.

It was Christmas Eve and the day my family hosted a party. I got all dressed and put make-up on. I couldn't look like a mess to the family dinner after all. Mom would scold me saying I should take better care of myself, and aunt would say that is the reason why nobody is interested in me, because I look like a slob. Then I would get mocked by everyone. Because that's what they do. Laugh and laugh yet never do anything.

I was ready to leave at 3pm. Everything was ready, my casserole, and my practiced smile. As I was putting on my coat, I got a text from my co-worker Ana. She's a sweet intern but sometimes she can be a bit clumsy. Which is why the text is concerning. Did she do something wrong? Is she in trouble? Why is she texting me out of all people?

<<OMG, I just remembered! I'm so sorry to ask you this today! I left the papers you asked for on my desk. I just remembered and I know you needed them soon. Happy holidays and sorry again!>>

Of course she had to forget something as important like that. How did Ana even get recruited? Not to be mean but she's useless. One more task to do now just before Christmas. Nevertheless, I was a bit thankful to miss a bit of the party. The more I was missing the less conversations I'll have to be around asking me when I'll bring someone to the reunions. I could miss that and arrive while everyone is starting to drink and playing around.

The detour took almost 20 minutes, but I was finally here and unlocked the office. I went to my desk, and searched for the papers. Where did Ana put them? I was practically turning my desk around until I heard a bunch of paper drop on the floor. I sighed and turned around to pick them up, only to be met with someone picking the papers already

• "Oh thank you so much! I didn't know there was someone else in the office-"

I looked up and saw none other than the boss. I cut myself off right away and froze. Why is he here? What is he even doing here? Panic overcame me.

• "No problem. What are you even doing in the office during the holidays?" He asked.
• "A-Ana forgot papers that I needed for a project so I came to retrieve them. I didn't know I would be disturbing you s-sir."

I can't believe I stuttered! I'll look like an idiot now and I'll never get promoted, oh god. Did I just ruin my career? All that work, all those hours of overtime? All for nothing?

He looked almost amused and placed his hand on my shoulder. It instantly brought me back. How could I have zoned out in front of him? Oh no, now I probably look even more stupid. Like an airhead now.

• "You work hard, Cassie. Harder than anyone in this office. You need a break too. How about we go for drinks? My treat."

Am I hearing this correctly? The boss wants to go out for drinks? With me? Am I going insane or what? His hand went back to his side, taking the warm off my shoulder with him. We were close, sure, as close as two co-workers who worked the same hours, did a lot of projects together and stayed behind to complete projects together could be. We were friends, at least I think so. We were close enough to invite each other to go out for drinks after all.

• "Im- im sorry sir. I have a family dinner, you can come if you want."

Oh god. I did not just say that. His eyes widened in shock before he relaxed and chuckled slightly.

• "I'll gladly accept your offer Cassie and again, call me Dean."

No! You were supposed to refuse. Oh god. Oh god. I can't believe I just said that. This is getting out of my control.

• "I was about to call an uber, do you have everything you needed?"
• "Ye-yeah, but we can take my car! I drove here."

We both headed to my car after locking the office. We drove in silence. If I say anything else, it's going to put me deeper in the rabbit hole than I already am in right now. For some extremely weird reason. It wasn't uncomfortable, it was more like.. peaceful. He smelled good too. Wait- no. That wasn't what I-. Okay I really need to stop. He's my boss. I can't be thinking like that about my boss!

We arrived around 5h27 pm. You could hear the loud noise from inside the car. The party already started and you could probably hear it from a mile away.

• "Look. Before, we enter.. I have to warn you. Um.. My family can be a bit overwhelming. Now that they're all reunited, it's going to be a real shit show."

He laughed and we both got out of the car to the front porch. I held a lasagna casserole in my hands. I'm so anxious I feel like it'll slip out of my hands any time.

Dean looked at me. I think he saw that I was shaking and offered to take the casserole. I gladly accepted. He rang the doorbell as I tried to control my shaking hands.

He grabbed my hand with his free hand while the other held the casserole. The shaking stopped. Just as my dad opened the door.

• "Cassie! You're late. We were getting worried because it wasn't like you. Oh, who'd you bring?"

I introduced Dean as.. well Dean. He stopped holding my hand and shook my dad's hand.

• "Oh what a nice surprise! Cassie brought her boyfriend to the family reunion. Be nice!"

My mother popped out of nowhere and warned the rest of the family to be kind to him. At this point I was already a blushing mess before we were dragged inside. My mother and my aunt took me to the kitchen while Dean was led to the living room with all the rest of the family to get to know him.

My mother immediately started gushing over him.

• "Cassie! How come you never spoke about him? He is quite the catch. I'm glad you brought him today!"

The two started to full on interrogate me. I tried to answer to the best of my abilities. Keeping out the part where.. I wasn't actually dating him. They just had this happy bubble of me finally being in a happy relationship and I didn't want to burst it.

Eventually, we joined the rest of the family in the living room. They were all chatting surrounding Dean. All the attention was on him, and inside of me, I had butterflies. A lot of them. This man had charm that could work on anyone. After 2 years, I got accustomed to it. I grew fond of it.

After a few hours, the party quieted down. Everybody started to go home one by one. We were clearing the table and started washing the dishes. Eventually, me and Dean were left alone in the kitchen cleaning the dishes together.

• "Hey.. sorry for making you wash dishes and dragging you here tonight"
• "Don't apologize for that. I've had more fun than I would've at a bar. Thank you for bringing me with you." He put the plate down and gave me a small smile.

We both stared at each other in silence. Both of us didn't know what to say, what to do next.

• "Listen, I know, we aren't the definition of extremely close. But.. Ever since my eyes stumbled upon you, I knew.. you were different. You're hardworking, dedicated and.. gentle. I could name 100 more qualities that you have yet not a simple word can describe how I feel about you."

My heart started to beat faster. What was this? Was he actually confessing? To me? Am I dreaming? Is this a dream? I don't think I want to wake up.

• "I love you, Cassie. Will you give me a chance? Please?"

My face was probably red by how hot this room felt, how hot my burning felt. I nodded. He leaned forward and gave me a passionate kiss. I returned it. Both of our hands were soaked of water and dish-washing soap, but we didn't care.

It felt like time stopped around us as we shared this special moment together. Our first, certainly not the last. It was the beginning of it all. The beginning of our story.

My mom came into the kitchen and we immediately moved a few inches from each other. She laughed.

• "I remember being that age once! You're not fooling me kids."
• "Mom!"

My face was redder than a tomato while Dean just laughed and hugged me.

An hour later, we headed out after being nagged about more than 20 times to take back so left-overs. We ended up with a full casserole and a plate of desserts.

We headed back to the car and as I looked back, my mother was looking out the window with a big smile and gave me a thumbs up.

I knew what that meant. She had a good feeling about this one.

Maybe I finally found the one.