Lara had never believed in fate. To her, life was a series of choices, each step carved by her own hands. That was until the rainy afternoon when she collided with a stranger in the crowded city square.
The rain poured relentlessly, drumming on the pavement as Lara hurried down the street, clutching her books to shield them from the downpour. She was late for work, and the thought made her rush faster.
Suddenly, a tall figure appeared from the crowd, and before she could dodge, they bumped into each other. Books and papers scattered everywhere.
"I'm so sorry!" Lara exclaimed, kneeling to pick up her scattered notes.
"No, it's my fault," the man said, his voice calm but urgent. He was handsome, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her.
As their eyes met, Lara felt an odd flutter in her chest. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She nodded, suddenly aware of the strange intensity in his gaze. "Yes. I'm fine."
He hesitated, then said, "You don't know me, but you need to be careful. There are people watching you."
Lara frowned, unsure if he was joking or serious. "What do you mean?"
Before he could answer, the man glanced around nervously. "I don't have much time. Just trust me."
And with that, he was gone — melting into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.
Lara stood there, soaked and confused. Who was that man? And what did he mean about being watched?
As she gathered her things, a chill ran down her spine. Something had changed. She could feel it.
This was no ordinary day. This was the day her life took a twist she never expected.