After a heated argument with Lucy, George felt a twinge of guilt. He had been seeing Lucy, a coworker, ever since his divorce, but it was far from a quiet, peaceful affair. Lucy was flighty and could always find a reason to clash.
I could have simply walked away, but Lucys whims have worn me thin, he thought as he drove home in his hatchback. If wed argued in private it would be one thing, but she always makes a scene in the office, and the staff cant help but chuckle. Still, theyre all surprised I ever saw any good in her. Good thing I deleted her number
That night George tried to unwind. He ate, sprawled on the sofa and flicked glances at the television while scrolling on his phone. He felt a vague unease.
Emily was already asleep when her phone buzzed. An unknown number flashed on the screen, but she answered automatically, her voice still halfasleep.
Hello?
A strangers male voice replied, Hey, are you still upset?
Emily blinked, realizing the voice wasnt hers. No, she said, still drowsy, but I dont think thats meant for me.
Sorry, I snapped. Its rude to start a row in front of everyone, and I was hurt too. I even erased your number, but I seem to remember it by heart now. How about I come over?
Now? she glanced at the clock it was one oclock in the morning.
She was too tired to explain a wrong number and simply said, Come then, before hanging up.
She didnt even bother to think about the caller, only smirked at the thought that perhaps hed simply driven off to his own girlfriend. Sleep took her quickly.
The next morning Emily finished her coffee, rinsed the cup and slipped it into the cupboard when her phone rang again.
Oh dear, whos calling so early? Ive got work she muttered, recognizing the unfamiliar number the same one from the night before.
Hello? the same voice greeted her.
Hey.
My girlfriend threw me out and slammed the door in my face last night, he said cheerfully.
I see you havent even been bothered, Emily laughed, and they instantly switched to first names.
Yes, youre right but now, as a decent lady, you owe me some moral compensation.
Emily burst out laughing, then asked, Me? What does that have to do with me? You should have remembered the number better.
Why didnt you tell me straight away that youd got the wrong person?
Because I wanted to go back to sleep. Polite people dont disturb their partners at night.
Fine, Ill agree, but you still owe me a date.
Thats a bit much
Why not? We did meet by accident at night, didnt we?
We didnt actually meet.
Then Im George. And you are?
Emily, she replied automatically.
Lovely name, George chuckled. Lets meet at the café Lucky Brew around six this evening.
My goodness, youve never even seen my face and youre already arranging a meetup I must be an old hag then.
Your voice sounds young and pretty, George laughed. Im in my prime as well. I happen to be a bit of a clairvoyant, you know I already like you.
Emily giggled. Then why ask my name?
Well, even seers make mistakes. So, about that date? Ill be waiting at Lucky Brew.
Im not interested. Youre far too cocky, she snapped.
Im not trying to persuade you, just strongly recommend it. You still have the whole evening.
Emily drove to the office, bewildered by the whole episode.
What on earth was that? Who was he?
All day she shuffled papers like a hamster on a wheel; the office was buzzing with preparations for an upcoming audit, and everything had to be spotless.
Emily was thirtythree, two years out of a marriage that never produced a child. Her exhusband never wanted kids, and after a brief reconciliation he finally walked out when his sister arrived with her twin boys. He muttered, I cant stand the noise, the screaming Tell your sister not to visit when Im home, and that was the end of their marriageboth parties relieved.
She had no time to dwell on Georges earlymorning call. She treated such random encounters as frivolous, especially a blind date.
Emily, bring me the file you showed me yesterday, her boss, Mr. Bennett, called as he passed through the doorway. Im having second thoughts
Emily was regarded as a reliable specialist, so Mr. Bennett often piled work on her, confident a decent bonus would follow. Some colleaguesespecially the womenwhispered envy.
Whats she doing that makes our boss, Benny, chase after her paperwork? Were not fools He even promises a bonus.
Rita, the most vocal, complained, and Tim, the offices unofficial mediator, replied, Envy is a bitter thing, Rita. You cant calculate anything without a mistake. Our boss sees right through everyones capabilities.
Ah, there you go again Are you sure this isnt some lightshow on a Polish table?
Tim never argued with the women; he simply explained things fairly.
At last the workday ended. Emily exhaled, satisfied with a productive day, and slipped into her car. Without thinking, she turned onto the street that led to Lucky Brew and stopped, still in the vehicle.
She watched people drift in and out of the café. Near the entrance stood a young man with a bouquet of white roses, halfturned as if waiting for someone to emerge from the sidewalk.
When he finally faced her, Emilys heart leapt.
Its Georgemy first love! she exclaimed.
She had known George from school. Hed been in the eleventh form while she was in the ninth, the object of many girls affection. Hed never noticed Emily because she was younger. Back then hed hung out with Lisa, a haughty classmate whose father was the towns mayor, and shed often look down on others.
Now, years later, George turned his head, evidently waiting for someone. Emily approached the café slowly. As she drew nearer, Georges smile widened.
I wasnt wrong, he thought. Shes exactly who I imagined.
He stepped forward and handed her the roses.
Emily, these are for you.
How do you know its me? And that I like white roses?
I pictured you exactly like this, and it just felt right. Plus, intuition never lies about the colour, he replied.
You dont remind me of anyone, Emily laughed. I should have remembered my number better.
Because you were trying to sleep. Proper people dont ring their partners at night, George said.
Youre right, Im sorry. Im a bit of a dreamer, but I do know youre George, and we went to the same school. You never looked my way back then.
Emily, you were the star of our schools volleyball team. I remember your servesfew could return them. You were small in age, but always stood out. Your long, graceful legs were unforgettable, George recalled, and Emily marveled at his memory of those school days.
They lingered in the café until late, promised to meet again the next evening, and from then on they saw each other regularly, laughing at the time theyd lost.
Six months later they married, and a year after that welcomed a healthy daughter followed by a son. Their lives were happy, and they often reminisced about their school years. That chance nighttime encounter had turned into a lifelong partnership, proving that even a blind meeting can lead to true love when destiny eventually connects the dots.
Lifes lesson: sometimes the most unexpected calls are the ones that steer us toward the future we never saw coming.
