Chapter 25: Back In Time

As they were talking, the elevator dinged and slid open with a soft chime. Standing at the entrance were two elegantly dressed individuals. Joseph's eyebrows lifted in surprise. 'What… what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly startled by the unexpected sight. 'I'm here with my wife. Just needed a little time away from work," Mr. Daniels replied with a warm smile as he stepped into the elevator, his arm around a graceful woman in a cream-colored coat. 'Oh, how have you been?" Joseph asked, quickly regaining his composure. He extended a hand, and Mr. Daniels shook it firmly. 'I'm good. Joseph, meet my wife, Amelia. Amelia, this is Joseph, one of our business partners," Mr. Daniels said with a slight gesture. 'It's my pleasure meeting you, ma'am," Joseph greeted her with a broad, polite smile as he shook her hand. 'Same here. I've heard a lot about you," Amelia said, returning the smile with one of her own, radiating quiet charm. 'Hope you heard good things about me?" Joseph teased lightly. Amelia chuckled softly. 'Oh yes, don't worry. It's all good." Her tone was warm and reassuring. 'Oh, meet my son, Jace," Joseph added proudly, placing a hand on Jace's shoulder. 'Good afternoon, sir," Jace greeted, polite and respectful. 'Geez, you took so much from your father," Mr. Daniels said, chuckling as he shook hands with the young man. 'Thanks so much, sir. It's nice meeting you," Jace said with a shy but friendly smile. Mr. Daniels laughed lightly. 'I think I'm beginning to like you, Jace." Joseph grinned. 'Hope to see you around more often." They all shared a light chuckle, and just then, the elevator doors opened again on the next floor. 'Okay," Mr. Daniels said with a grin, making an 'okay" sign with his fingers as he and Amelia stepped out. As the elevator continued its descent, Joseph and Jace soon arrived at the hotel lobby. 'Welcome, sir. How can we help you?" an attendant asked politely as they approached the entrance. 'Reservation under Joseph, please," Joseph replied, offering a polite smile. 'This way, please," the waiter said and began leading the way. As they walked, Jace caught sight of a familiar face and quickly played it off with mock surprise. 'Oh, hey Dorah," he greeted, eyebrows raised. Joseph turned his head slightly. 'Dorah?" he echoed curiously, glancing toward the group. There was a moment of stillness as their eyes locked, Joseph's and Agnes'. Recognition flickered in their expressions. Agnes stood up, her smile fading slightly. 'Joseph," she called softly, her voice touched with an emotion only he could interpret. FLASHBACK The rain poured steadily, droplets tapping rhythmically against the car as Agnes swayed to the music playing from her speakers. She wasn't speeding, but she wasn't exactly slow either. Suddenly, her tires hit a shallow puddle, and water splashed out onto a figure by the roadside. 'Geez," she muttered, guilt flashing across her face. Without hesitation, she pulled over. Grabbing an umbrella from the passenger seat, she stepped out into the rain and hurried toward the man. 'Please, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that," she apologized earnestly. The guy, hood pulled low against the rain, looked up and offered a kind smile. 'It's fine. I know it wasn't intentional. You didn't even have to get out in this weather," he said. 'We all know rain can be unpredictable." Agnes, however, found herself caught off guard—not by his words, but by his smile. It was warm, gentle… captivating. 'How can someone be this cute?" she thought, her mind momentarily drifting. 'Ma'am?" he called again, noticing her daze. When she didn't respond, he gently touched her arm. 'Ma'am?" 'Oh… yeah? You were saying something?" she asked, blinking rapidly to return to reality. 'Hope you're okay?" he asked with slight concern, raising a brow. 'Yeah, I'm good. Uhm… how about I give you a lift?" she offered quickly, hoping he'd say yes. He hesitated. 'No, you don't have to. I can find my way. You shouldn't stress yourself." 'I insist," she said with a small smile. 'Just take it as an apology for the splash." The guy chuckled softly. 'Well… if you insist. I'll take you up on that." They got into her car, both fastening their seatbelts. 'You can just tell me your address," Agnes said as she prepared the GPS. He gave it to her, and soon they were on their way. As she parked in front of his apartment, he smiled again. 'Thanks so much for the ride. I really appreciate it." 'It's my pleasure," she replied, doing her best not to beam too obviously. 'Oh, by the way, I'm Agnes," she said, offering her hand. 'Joseph. But you can call me Josh," he replied, shaking it. 'Nice name for a cute guy," Agnes teased and winked, causing Joseph to laugh. 'You're funny," he said, clearly amused. 'How about we exchange contacts? I'd like to be friends, if that's okay?" 'Sure, why not?" he shrugged casually. She handed over her phone eagerly, barely hiding her excitement. 'Thanks," she said after he handed it back. 'I should be thanking you. You really made today better." 'Still sorry about the water," she said as he got out. 'No worries. Drive safe, okay?" 'Okay. Bye!" she waved as she drove off, smiling like a teenager. With time, they grew closer. They texted often, called regularly, and sometimes met up in person. One afternoon, Agnes showed up at Joseph's house unannounced. 'Oh gosh. I told you not to come," Joseph said, stepping aside to let her in. 'Why not? I was only here once before and even then, I didn't enter," she said as she followed him inside. 'You wouldn't like it here. It's not your standard," he said, a little embarrassed. 'Who's talking about standards here? If that mattered to me, I wouldn't be here at all," she replied as she made herself comfortable on the couch. 'What about your mom?" she asked, glancing around. The space was modest but homely. 'She went to the market. Should be back soon," Joseph said as he walked to the refrigerator. He pulled out a bottle of juice. 'Your favorite," he said, handing it to her with a grin. 'Thanks," she said, taking a sip. 'Oh my God, this is so good and refreshing!" She examined the label on the bottle. 'I knew you'd like it," he said with a wink. 'So, what do you want to eat? I can make anything." 'Anything is fine by me." 'Okay, I'll be back," he said, heading toward the kitchen. Agnes set her bag aside and followed him in. 'What are you doing here? You should be in the living room," he said, pointing playfully. 'Nope, I want to help," she said with a grin. 'As if you know how to handle a knife," he teased. 'Just sit down." She ignored him and washed an onion at the sink. 'I can peel this." 'Just don't cut your....." 'Ouch!" she yelped before he could finish. 'Geez, Agnes! I told you not to do anything," he said, rushing over. He quickly took her to the sink, turned on the tap, and let the water wash over the bleeding finger. 'Ouch," she whimpered as the cold water hit her skin. 'Sorry," he said softly, turning off the tap. He turned her toward him, gently dabbing her finger with a napkin. He dropped the napkin behind her and looked up. 'You okay?" he asked, worried. She nodded slowly. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything around them faded. Their faces inched closer. Until the sound of the front door opening shattered the moment. They jerked back and turned toward the door to see who had arrived.