The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 76
Leilani changed out of her casual wear into a beige knit sweater and light denim jeans, her hair falling in lazy curls over her shoulders. She put on a pair of thin-rimmed glasses, masking the sharpness in her eyes and softening her entire demeanor. When she stepped out of the hotel, the weather was perfect.
The capital of Zamora was bustling. Leilani wandered aimlessly, browsing magazines at street-side kiosks and trying on accessories. She even stopped at an outdoor café for a hot latte, watching a group of young girls take photos nearby. A faint smile touched her lips.
She strolled to a nearby plaza where white doves fluttered lazily in the sun. Buying a bag of feed, she sat on a bench by the fountain and scattered grain. The birds gathered, some bold enough to hop onto her knee. She chuckled, tapping a dove gently on the head.
However, just as she was zoning out, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility, a tall figure emerged from the street corner and walked straight toward her.
The man wore a black trench coat, his features chiseled and cold, radiating an overpowering
presence.
Leilani’s finger froze.
Callahan?
Why was he here?
She instinctively lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her coffee cup, her heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably.
Just then, the tall figure stopped in front of her.
“Leilani?” His low voice held a trace of surprise.
Leilani looked up, and their eyes met. Behind her glasses, her pupils constricted slightly.
Callahan was looking down at her, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Leilani paused for a second but quickly recovered, a faint smile touching her lips. “What a coincidence.”
Callahan stared at her for two seconds before sitting down beside her. His tone was somewhat subtle. “Fate really seems to be at work with us. I didn’t expect to run into you all the way out here in Zamora.”
“It is quite a coincidence,” she replied. “I didn’t expect you to be in Zamora either,”
Truth be told, seeing Callahan had genuinely surprised her. She suddenly remembered that Dante had mentioned something about this before she left the country, but she hadn’t paid it any mind at the time. Who knew they would actually bump into each other so unexpectedly?
Thinking of the promise she made to Dante, Leilani felt a bit awkward seeing Callahan. She wondered if Callahan knew about Dante’s attempt to play matchmaker.
Although her mind was racing, outwardly, she appeared perfectly calm. She withdrew her gaze and continued feeding the pigeons, acting as if she had just run into an ordinary friend.
Since Leilani was acting so nonchalant, Callahan couldn’t very well act overly surprised. He noticed then that her attire was different from when he had seen her before. She had swapped the plain t-shirt and jeans for a stylish outfit, let her hair down, and applied light makeup. The thin-framed glasses hid the sharpness in her eyes, making her look much softer.
She looked… rather good.
Callahan’s gaze lingered on her clear profile for a moment.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.