Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 36

Serene and Justin had lunch at the Japanese restaurant at Hotel Le Grande. It surprised her when Justin ordered the same dishes she ordered the last time they had lunch there. It was already a few weeks back since they last dined here, and she ordered quite several dishes‌ then. She cannot help but marvel at Justin’s attention to detail and memory.

They ate in silence. Serene did not know what to say to him. The conversation they had in the car kept playing in her mind. She looked at the man opposite her in between bites. At first glance, he looked stoic, but she knew that deep down, he’s warm hearted.

She also studied how she was feeling. If she were to compare how she felt during the early stages of her relationship with Bryan and with what she’s feeling with Justin now, she would doubt that she’s attracted to him. Although her heart throbbed when she saw Justin, she was not giddy like when she first knew Bryan. Bryan elicited the feeling of excitement in her. She had long sleepless nights thinking about him then.

Justin was different. In the short time that she knew him, Serene felt secured around him. She felt the calmness she never felt with anyone before. With Justin, she felt ‌she could empty herself and be true to her emotions. Justin made her feel that the rest of the world did not matter for as long as they are together. When she’s with him, she can temporarily forget how tricky their situation is.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Justin asked as he brought his teacup to his lips.

“Justin, do you honestly believe that we can be together?” Serene searched his eyes for an assurance.

Justin reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Yes, because I cannot think of spending another day of my life without you in it.” His gaze touched her soul. “Serene, I do not care about people’s judgement or ‌gossip. They do not matter to me at all. You know why?”

“Why?”

“Because pleasing them will not give me the happiness I get from being with you.”

His words were simple, yet they took away Serene’s apprehensions. He’s correct. Serene’s so wrapped up in thinking of the complexity of their situation simply because she did not want others to judge her. She’s so caught up with other people’s opinions when they do not really matter.

She used to think that she cannot live without Bryan. But having survived their painful breakup, she knew how wrong she was then. Now here she is, looking at the face of love once again. It might be true that her life will carry on without Justin, but she also knew that her life would be very different without him in it.

She squeezed Justin’s hand back and gave him a curt smile.

At that moment, Serene knew that she already arrived at a decision. She’s willing to give Justin a chance and look beyond their crazy situation and focus on their happiness. She’s taking a leap of faith and staking her all once again.

After their meal, Justin brought Serene back to her hotel. She declined Justin’s invitation for dinner because she intended to work on their project’s integration. It’s quite complex. It needed a lot of time and effort from her. Justin reluctantly agreed after she promised to spend her weekend with him.