5: Destiny And Its Mysterious Ways

A familiar name has slipped off Calderon's tongue, “Macey...”

“Huh?” The girl looked nothing but fully shocked. Calderon has received a stern stare, and fear grew in him, thinking his eyes must still be red, and the girl has seen it.

His calm came back in a minute, though, when the girl asked, “How... how did you know my name?”

His brows furrowed. Macey could remember her name in the past life she had, or she still has the same name?

“Of course, I—”

“This is my first time in forever to have met you, Sir. How did you know my name?”

It struck him like a bolt of lightning. Same name, they have the same name. Different face and body, same name and soul. That was her destiny.

“You just... look like a Macey,” he gulped, then whispered, “My Macey.”

“Maybe because I am literally a Macey?”

“Your name, it is?”

“Macey Monreal, my birth name. So, yes, I am a Macey. Have you heard of me before? Perhaps you once visited the public library downtown to read and borrow some books?”

Macey Monreal.

Calderon was certain that the girl was his Macey Schmidt. He was confident that Macey is now back with the same name; Macey. This time, Macey Monreal.

“I... haven't heard of Monreal in forever, but I sure did with Macey. I... love reading books, but haven't been in the city's library. Didn't know one exists, too…”

The girl raised her brows and nodded enthusiastically at Calderon's answer, pleased at the response. He realized that Macey was amused and happy to hear the last sentence, about his love for reading books.

“Macey is quite a good name, I got it from my Mom. So, I'm not that surprised you appreciated it, Sir?”

“I am Calderon. Calderon Schmidt,” smiled Calderon as he lays out his hand.

When Macey has taken it, a spark was felt. Calderon is convinced by that time that she really was his Macey, the girl he met one thousand one hundred eight years ago, the girl he fell in love with three years before he was turned into the monster that he is now.

Macey flinched at the touch, and so did Calderon. The man's skin was cold, almost freezing. But Macey did try her best to keep the reaction to herself.

“By the way... it's nice meeting you today, Mr. Calderon Schmidt. I'm afraid I have to go now. I was in a hurry, you see. I even bumped into you because I wasn't able to look ahead out of rush.”

“Hurrying to where, anyway? I can give you a ride,” Calderon flashed a toothy, inviting smile, “take it as my apology for not being careful and dropping you, butt first.”

This might be his chance to get closer to Macey. He couldn't let this opportunity to slip off. A perfect self-control — that he always find himself with, whenever he is with Macey. The feeling of fullness and being complete — the things Macey always make him feel. It was her, and he would never let her go. No, not again.

“The library I work in is near. I have to be there ar ten.” Macey has sighed gladly, relieved that she wouldn't have to run more than five hundred meters to reach her workplace.

Macey's car was left in a nearby lot, broken and needs fixing. She had no choice but to run and chase her time, unable to find a passing taxi or bus that directs to her destination.

“Come with me. We'll reach the place faster by wheels. It's too late for a morning jog,” he lent his right hand to the girl, as if asking permission to dance.

Macey stared at the pale palm, her eyes were sparking questions as to why she was being treated like that.

Calderon shrugged, knowing full well that Macey was confused at his actions, he then gestured the girl to take it. Macey did grab his hand, though, although hesitating at first.

Calderon walked them both into the nearest parking, smiling when he still found his long-left La Voiture Noire that hasn't been used for weeks now.

“Come on, Macey. My car has survived weeks unattended. It wasn't hijacked,” he said, giggling in disbelief to see the Bugatti without even a single bruise and without any missing tires.

“Hello, are you serious?!” Calderon heard Macey gasp in shock right after she points the expensive car, a super luxurious one at that.

“Why?”

“That's your car?! It's a Bugatti!”

“And? What's the matter? You hate Bugattis?”

“How can you be this rich and just walk around that city's corner...”

“I'm not that wealthy. I just have a few billion dollars on the bank, nothing too big.”

Macey's jaw slacked.