I know everything about Joy. Everything about her father, how she got abused by her fiancee, and how her mother died. But, I still tend to ask her about her life because I want her to feel how it feels like to open up to someone and let them help with her problems. She's fragile, easy to be break just by one single word.

Fiancee.

Father.

Mother.

And I would never abuse my power to get my way with her. I will always be patient whenever she starts to open up about her life. I would never force her to talk. One day, I believe she will open up to me and finally, this day has come out sooner than I thought.

I am at her mother's house, where no one knows.

"My mother died due to cancer, and my father was deeply depressed. My father thought if he left all my mother's legacy, the pain would lessen, but you know it didn't work," Joy laughed bitterly. It explains why everything is still here, and the only thing that is not here is the family photo, "He began to shut everyone out of his life, even his children."

I stayed silent, letting her talk, "the last time I saw his sorrow was when he was staring at the family photo, holding a glass of wine without spilling any tears. He was shut, and the only thing that could open his door was himself."

"I can see why you hide your life from everyone," I said to her, and she nodded.

"Do you believe me when I say he was a family man?" Joy asked, and I shook my head, "he loved my mother very much and thought they were meant to be together. Just a single thing happened, changed his life."

"Your mother's passing was not just a single thing that happened. It must be tough for your father."

"But, it was also challenging for my brother and me. He's not alone. Why does he think he is? He never cared about me whenever I was sad or hurt," her tears were streaming faster. I took her hand and caressed the back of her hand.

"When did you move out?" I asked her carefully.

"When I was ten years old."

I sighed and brushed her arm, "it must be hard for you."

Joy gave another bitter laugh, "Do you know why I hate being called Jocelyn?"

"Why?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

"Because all the people I hate call me by my name, not my nickname."

I brought my hand to her face and wiped her tears away but not her sorrow. I took her face so she faced me clearly, "let me tell you something, Joy. You're the strongest person I've ever known."

"How can you say that?" She asked, and her nose started to get redder.

"You're still alive now and standing in front of me. I know you're strong," I spoke to her, "you should be proud of yourself."

Joy smiled and looked down to her feet. She took my hand from my face, "you hands are cold. Do you need the coat back?"

I shook my head immediately, "no, please. Wear it."

Joy took off the coat and put it around my body, but she didn't stop. She went inside and wrapped the overcoat around our bodies. I chuckled at the gesture and hugged her body to give her warmth. Joy sighed before speaking, "out of seven billion people in the world, I choose to open up to you."

"They say it's destiny," I said as we looked at the scenery. It was cold and yet, calm simultaneously. Then a couple of seconds, I decided to speak, "do you regret opening up to me?"

Joy turned around and looked at me in disbelief, "never. I even feel grateful to know you and tell you all of my stories."

"I'm trying to keep up with your expectations. I'm worried if I disappointed you someday," I said and frowning. Joy took my chin so she could see my eyes.

"I hope never to be disappointed in you, and I hope I'm enough for you," Joy smiled wearily.

"Oh, please, you're more than I asked for."

Joy smiled and looked down, "I hope so."

I took her chin and spoke, "You already are," we were staring at each other as the voice of the cricket started to wear down. The birds flying in the sky stopped as the world around us has stopped. This is the moment that I've been waiting for.

I slowly leaned down to her as she looked up a little until our lips touched. Our lips grazed each other smoothly as we had kissed a million times, although this was our first kiss. I feel butterflies flying around my stomach-

Set the bond, Claude.

I heard an unfamiliar voice inside my head that caused me to pull away from the kiss.

Set the bond, and this will start your journey with your soulmate.

"Is everything alright?" Joy said, looking worried. She must have noticed my shallow breath.

"It's okay, Claude. Follow what you're told," a familiar voice said inside my head. Kinsley.

Repeat after me.

I, say your name.

"I, Claude Harris," I said out loud.

Allow me to be something in your life, say your soulmate's name

"Allow me to be something in your life, Jocelyn Wright."

Which I will grant you the life you've ever dreamed of

"Which, I will grant you the life you've ever dreamed of."

And always to believe in me

"And always to believed in me."

A kiss will seal both agreements and lasts until death arrives.

I leaned closer until our lips touched for the second time, "why are you saying it like you were chanting a spell?" She asked between the kiss, "what did I do to deserve you," we continued to kiss until I felt her pushing us inside the house. I felt my legs touching the edge of the couch.

I felt her finger going through my shirt, but I stopped her, "are you sure about this?"

"Stop talking," she said. When I saw her eyes, it was full of lust and things I couldn't describe. Her eyes were turning more black than before, and I can't lie to say that didn't turn me on. She let go of my hand and took off my shirt.

I grazed my hand behind her back as I reached the zipper and brought it down. I kissed her shoulders while pulling her dress down to the floor. I stopped and took in her lingerie, "you look beautiful," I spoke to her. Joy pushed me onto the couch. She straddled on top of me as she continued to kiss my lips.

I bring my hand to her hair as I bring my lips down to her jaw and her neck. I tried not to suck it too hard, so it didn't leave a mark. I heard a slight moan next to my ears which eagers me more. My other hand went behind her back and unhooked her bra, letting her breast hang.

I lift myself and put my right hand on her back. We caught our breath while staring into each other souls, "if you want me to stop, just say the word," I said, and she nodded. I took a second to gather myself before sliding inside her as she leaned her weight back.

Every second of her moan was music to me while I kept pumping inside her. I brought my face closer to her body as I kissed between her breast until I moved toward her stiff buds. The contact boosted all of my five senses.

"Faster," she said a single word that continued to turn me on. I moved more viciously, and she pulled my hair, keeping me closer to her.

"Harris-" Her moan deepened as sweat formed on her forehead. Her neck veins popped out as I kissed it until she reached her climax, and I thought I was in heaven hearing her orgasm.

"I love it when you call me Harris," I whispered seductively.

She leaned her neck on my shoulders as I heard her breathing. I took her face one more time and nibbled her bottom lips.

"That was better than crying," Joy said as she laughed.

"There's no camera here, right?" I asked her, and she continued to laugh.

"Let's hope not."

~~~

I opened my eyes to see a familiar place—the same massive bookshelf with Kinsley sitting on her usual chair. I approached the other chair and sat as I summoned a coffee.

"Look who just got laid," Kinsley said as she smirked at me, "it was a scenery at first, but when she orgasm, I feel like in heaven-"

"Oh my God, you saw it?!" I widened my eyes and hid my face with my hand.

"No need to be embarrassed. It's not like the first time I saw you had sex," she said as she stood up from her seat and looked towards the beach, "I'm proud of you. You've reached the agreement."

"Who was it anyway?" I asked curiously.

"It was the angel," Kinsley answered.

"So, what's next?" I asked her, and she shook her head.

"I don't know. I should be gone by now," Kinsley said as she walked back and forth. Panic was written all over her face, "you've done the agreement and even had sex with her!"

"What's happening, Kinsley?"

"Nothing, nothing's wrong. Don't worry about it," I saw sweats dripping down her face.

"Kinsley."

"What?!" She asked furiously, "Perhaps we missed the most important thing. That can't be. You've made more progress than me."

"Maybe there is one thing important," I said as I stood up from my seat, "can you recite to me what the angel told you?"

"You shall save your soulmate from a dreading future before she graduates. If you fail, there would be consequences," Kinsley recited.

"Wait, save your soulmate from a dreading future," I rubbed my chin as I put two and two together.

Kinsley told me to make Joy my girlfriend.

Dion keeps saying about saving her soulmate.

And the Angle said something about saving me from a dire future.

Then, it hit me like a truck.

I don't have to seduce or make Joy my significant other unless I save her from, "Martin," I spoke loudly.

"So, I'm making a mistake?" Kinsley said as I suspected that she was listening to my thoughts.

"I didn't need to break up with Lydia when I can still finish the job!" I exclaimed to Kinsley's face.

She shook her head and took my shoulders, "it doesn't matter, Claude. You will never get back together with Lydia."

"I wonder why?!" I tilted my face and waited for her answer.

"Because she's the actual reason why I failed!" She screamed and made me quiet, "You were fucking obsessed towards Lydia that you forgot about Joy! The moment she began to be friendly towards you was when you fucked up. You fall in love the second time with Lydia, but when she dumps you, you push everyone away until your graduate."

Dion was right. This isn't fate; it's destiny.

"So, it wasn't about lacking information about her?" I asked.

"Oh, that's also one of the reasons, but the main reason was Lydia," she puts her finger up, "you didn't realize that you fucked everything up when you got the first bad luck," Kinsley spoke aggressively, "Dion was working on a time machine, so you studied physics until you graduated, and that's the only good thing in your life after you graduate high school."

I put my hands up to stop her, "I- I understand you don't need to-"

"Oh, I need to tell you how much I wasted my life on this, but I messed it up anyway," Kinsley spoke.

I took her face and made her look at me, "It's not too late, Kinsley. I haven't graduated, and we still have time to save her. We have exactly six months before graduation."

Kinsley nodded while she caught her breath, "yes, I'm sorry for freaking out," she said and sat back in her seat.

"Don't worry, I understand. You're me, so I'd also freak out."

"Do you think six months is enough to save her?" she asked, and I hissed at the thought. It should be tricky trying to save her from Martin.

***