14. HOPE'S CRUSH

The soft glow of the evening streetlights cast a warm hue over the quiet neighborhood as Jace gently draped a blanket over Alina’s sleeping form. Her face, serene in slumber, was a stark contrast to the turmoil she had displayed earlier. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his heart heavy with a mixture of love and concern.

Needing some fresh air and a chance to clear his mind, Jace decided to step out for a walk. The cool night breeze greeted him as he closed the apartment door behind him, its gentle touch a welcome respite from the emotional weight of the evening. He zipped up his jacket, pockets jingling with loose change, and set off down the dimly lit street, the soft hum of the city his only companion.

As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to Alina. Her innocence was both endearing and worrisome. She wore her heart on her sleeve, reaching out to others with a genuine warmth that was rare in the world they inhabited. But that same openness left her vulnerable, and Jace often found himself torn between wanting to protect her and letting her navigate her own path.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he remembered how she would befriend stray cats, talking to them as if they could understand her every word. Her naivety was both a blessing and a curse, and Jace couldn’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness.

Lost in his musings, he turned a corner onto a busier street, the soft glow of neon signs illuminating the pathway. The aroma of street food wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble in anticipation. Deciding to pick up some noodles for dinner, he quickened his pace toward their favorite noodle shop.

However, fate had other plans. In his trance, Jace failed to notice the young woman emerging from a nearby building, her arms laden with a stack of papers. Their paths intersected abruptly, and before he could react, they collided.

“Oh!” the woman exclaimed, the papers fluttering to the ground like oversized snowflakes.

Jace’s reflexes kicked in, and he immediately bent down to help gather the scattered documents. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured, his voice deep with genuine remorse. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

The woman knelt beside him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “No, no, it’s my fault,” she insisted, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. “I should have looked where I was going.”

As they collected the papers, their hands brushed briefly, sending a subtle jolt through both of them. Jace looked up, his heterochromatic eyes—one a deep sapphire blue, the other a vivid emerald green—meeting hers. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The woman’s breath hitched, captivated by the mesmerizing contrast of his gaze. She had never seen such eyes before; they were like precious gems, each telling its own story.

Clearing his throat, Jace handed her the collected papers. “Here you go,” he said softly.

She accepted them with a shy smile. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. “I’m Hope, by the way. Hope Zaavan.”

“Jace,” he responded, offering a slight nod. “Jace Martin.”

They stood there for a moment, an awkward silence settling between them. The bustling city around them seemed distant, their immediate surroundings shrinking to just the two of them.

“Do you work around here?” Hope ventured, clutching the papers to her chest.

Jace glanced at the building she had emerged from. “Not exactly. I was just out getting dinner,” he explained, gesturing toward the noodle shop down the street. “What about you?”

“I work at a publishing industry. The bookstore is a part of it,” she said, nodding toward the glass doors behind her. “Just finished a late meeting.”

He offered a polite smile. “Long day, huh?”

She laughed softly, the sound like delicate chimes. “You could say that.”

Another pause settled between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and fleeting glances. Sensing the need to conclude the interaction, Jace took a step back.

“Well, I should get going,” he said, pointing toward the noodle shop. “My sister’s waiting for dinner.”

Hope’s eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment, but she masked it quickly with a warm smile. “Of course. It was nice meeting you, Jace.”

“Likewise,” he replied, offering a final nod before turning on his heel and making his way toward the shop.

As Jace walked away, Hope remained rooted to the spot, her heart fluttering in a way it hadn’t in years. She replayed the encounter in her mind—the accidental collision, his deep, soothing voice, and those captivating mismatched eyes. A soft blush crept up her cheeks as she realized she hadn’t felt such an immediate attraction to anyone before.

Shaking herself from her reverie, she glanced down at the papers in her hands, a bemused smile tugging at her lips. The city continued its relentless pace around her, but for Hope, time had taken on a different rhythm. The chance meeting had left an indelible mark, and she couldn’t help but wonder if their paths would cross again.

Meanwhile, Jace entered the cozy noodle shop, the familiar scent of broth and spices enveloping him. He placed an order for two servings of their favorite noodles, his thoughts still lingering on the unexpected encounter. There was something about Hope—her genuine demeanor, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke—that resonated with him. But he pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on getting back to Alina.

With the steaming takeout bags in hand, Jace made his way back home, the cool night air clearing his mind. He walked briskly, eager to return to his sister and share a meal. Yet, a small part of him couldn’t shake the memory of Hope’s smile, wondering if fate had more in store for them.

Back on the street corner, Hope finally broke from her trance, clutching the papers close as she made her way to the subway. The city lights danced around her, mirroring the newfound excitement in her heart. As she descended the steps into the subway station, she silently hoped that this wouldn’t be the last time she saw the enigmatic man with the mismatched eyes.