SWIPING FATE

In the Haze Mansion, Bellvue Manor, a billionaire paradise, golden gates swung open to reveal a marble oasis. Crystal chandeliers and silk drapes shimmered in the light, and a sweeping staircase curved upwards to a master suite with a private balcony and panoramic views. Secret hideaways and art masterpieces awaited discovery, while outside, lush greenery and a private beach beckoned, promising serenity and luxury.

The Haze family gathered in the majestic dining room, seating up to 10, where fine china, silverware, and crystal glasses sparkled. A fireplace crackled with a warm, golden flame, adding a cozy touch to the opulent space. The family's wealth and status were evident in every detail, from the intricate fresco on the ceiling to the rare artwork adorning the walls.

Grandfather Haze, a distinguished gentleman with a silver mane and piercing blue eyes, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect. Grandmother Haze, with a radiant smile and sparkling brown eyes, sat beside him, her warmth and kindness palpable. Vivian, a young lady with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair, chimed in, her wit and sarcasm a familiar presence in the family dynamics.

Mr. and Mrs. Haze, Collins' parents, engaged in a hushed conversation, their body language revealing a deep understanding and connection. Mr. Haze, a man in his 40s with a strong jawline, piercing blue eyes, and a distinctive silver streak in his dark hair, spoke softly, his words carrying weight. Mrs. Haze, with long, curly brown hair, bright green eyes, and a radiant smile, replied, her voice gentle yet persuasive.

As they waited for Collins to arrive, the tension in the air was palpable. Grandfather Haze's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. Grandmother Haze placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her eyes sparkling with understanding.

Finally, Collins Haze, a young man with an athletic build, chiseled features, and piercing icy blue eyes, joined them at the table. His sharp jawline and striking tattoo of a phoenix rising from the ashes on his left hand drew attention. He wore a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, and silver tie shaped like a miniature phoenix, his style impeccable.

Vivian, his half-sister, murmured, "Speak of the devil," and rolled her eyes. Mr. Haze asked, "Welcome, son. Where have you been?" Collins replied simply, "I was busy." Grandma Haze chimed in, "I hope you're not too busy to bring in a wife. You're 27, for heaven's sake. Your father was already married at your age." Collins responded, "I will bring in a wife soon," in an uninterested tone.

Grandma Haze continued, "But when are..." only to be interrupted by her husband, who placed his hand on hers. Mrs. Haze supported her mother-in-law, "Mother is right; we need a new daughter-in-law already." Vivian added sarcastically, "Don't worry, mom. Big bro here will soon find his perfect match." Collins banged his hand on the table, shutting off the conversation, and stormed out of the room.

Vivian followed him, knocking on his door. "Come in," he said in a deep, masculine voice. Vivian entered, saying, "I want to introduce you to a dating app." Collins raised an eyebrow, "Why do I need a dating app?" Vivian replied, "So you can find your Mrs. Perfect and settle your fight with mom and grandma once and for all." Collins handed her his phone, and Vivian filled in the requirements, uploading a weird picture of him. "Someone viewed your page," she said, grinning. "See, even with an ugly picture and a fake name, someone still fell for you."

Vivian viewed the person's page, and an image of a beautiful young lady with black long hair and yellow eyes that shone like the sun appeared. "Oh, she looks cool, doesn't she?" Vivian asked. Collins' green eyes fixed on the picture, and he said simply, "Yeah, she is cool... I want her." Vivian smiled, happy to have found her half-brother a potential match. "Her name is Isabelle. Let me send her a message." Vivian typed away on the phone, "Hey Isabelle, let's exchange stories and see where adventure takes us!"

As Vivian sent the message, Collins' eyes remained fixed on Isabelle's picture, a hint of interest sparking in his gaze. He leaned back in his chair, his mind wandering to the mysterious woman who had captured his attention.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the family conversation continued, with Grandfather Haze expressing his concerns about Collins' lack of interest in settling down.

Grandfather Haze's voice was laced with a hint of frustration. "Collins needs to understand that family legacy and business require a stable personal life. We can't have him gallivanting around the world, chasing adventure and neglecting his responsibilities."

Mrs. Haze placed a gentle hand on her father-in-law's arm. "Father, we understand your concerns, but Collins is a grown man. He needs to find his own path and make his own decisions. Mr Haze nodded in agreement.

Vivian, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "I think I can help, Grandfather. I've introduced Collins to a dating app, and he seems interested in one of the profiles."

Grandfather Haze's expression turned skeptical. "A dating app? Really, Vivian? That's not the way to find a suitable partner."

Vivian smiled. "Times have changed, Grandfather. Online dating is a common way to meet people now. And who knows, maybe Collins will find someone special."

The conversation continued, with the family debating the merits of online dating and the best way to find a suitable partner for Collins. Meanwhile, upstairs, Collins' thoughts lingered on Isabelle's profile, wondering if he would ever find someone who truly understood him.

As the evening drew to a close, Collins made his way back to the dinner table, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Isabelle. He took his seat, and the family resumed their conversation, with Vivian occasionally glancing at Collins, a knowing look in her eyes.

The night wore on, with laughter and conversation filling the room. But Collins' thoughts remained with the mysterious Isabelle, wondering if their paths would ever cross.

As the night drew to a close, Collins excused himself and retreated to his room, his mind still racing with thoughts of Isabelle. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he had stumbled upon something special, something that could potentially change the course of his life.

As he lay in bed, he couldn't help but wonder what Isabelle was like, beyond her captivating profile picture and brief bio. What were her interests, her passions, her values? Did she share his sense of adventure, his love for life?

The questions swirled in his mind like a vortex, pulling him in deeper. He knew he had to find out more about her, to see if their connection was real or just a fleeting spark.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Collins reached for his phone and opened the dating app, his heart racing with anticipation. He navigated to Isabelle's profile, his eyes scanning her bio once again, searching for any hint of what lay beneath the surface.

And then, he saw it - a small icon indicating that she was online, available to chat. Collins' heart skipped a beat as he hesitated for a moment, his finger hovering over the screen.

Finally, he took a deep breath and sent her a message, his words pouring out like a dam breaking. "Hey Isabelle, Want to chat and see where this adventure takes us?"

He hit send, his heart racing with excitement, his mind filled with visions of what could be. The wait was agonizing, but finally, a response appeared on the screen.

"Hey Max, I'd love to chat! What kind of adventure are you thinking of?"

Collins grinned, his heart soaring. This was it, the start of something special. He replied, his words spilling out like a river. "The kind that takes us to new heights, new places, and new experiences. The kind that changes our lives forever."

The conversation flowed like a dream, each message building upon the last, their words weaving a tapestry of connection and understanding.

As the night wore on, their chat became a dance, a beautiful ballet of words and emotions. Collins knew he had found his match, his partner in crime.

As the conversation with Isabelle continued, Collins found himself becoming more and more intrigued by her wit and charm. But he refused to let his guard down, to let himself believe that this was anything more than a mere distraction.

He typed out his messages with a calculating precision, careful to reveal just enough to keep her interested, but not enough to give away his true intentions.

Isabelle, on the other hand, seemed to be opening up to him, sharing her hopes and dreams, her fears and desires. Collins listened intently, his mind analyzing every word, every sentiment.

He couldn't help but think that she was naive, that she believed in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. But he knew better. He knew that love was a myth, a weakness to be exploited.

And yet, as the night wore on, Collins found himself feeling something he couldn't quite explain. It wasn't love, no, he was far too cynical for that. But it was something, a spark of interest, a flicker of curiosity.

He pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. He had a goal, a mission, and he wouldn't let himself be swayed by sentiment.

Isabelle's heart raced as she stared at her phone, her eyes fixed on the chat window. She couldn't believe it - she was actually having fun chatting with someone online!

"So, what's your name?" she asked, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

"Do you really want to know?" he replied, his response dripping with mystery.

Isabelle's curiosity was piqued. "Yh, I really want to know! At least you know mine," she typed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Okay, why don't we meet on a date instead?" he suggested, his words sending her heart fluttering.

Isabelle's grin spread from ear to ear as she read his response. Date?! With a stranger she met online?! It was thrilling and terrifying all at once.

"Really?" she asked

"Yh," he replied, his response followed by a location and time for their date.

Isabelle's eyes widened as she read the details. She couldn't believe it - she was actually going on a date with someone she met online!

Just then, her friend Stacy burst into her room, a huge grin on her face. "Hey, girl! How's the hunt going?"

Isabelle held up her phone, her eyes shining with excitement. "I found him!"

Stacy's eyes widened as she took in the conversation on Isabelle's phone. "OMG, he's cute!" she squealed, jumping onto Isabelle's bed.

Stacy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she read through the conversation. "You have to go on this date, Isabelle! He sounds adorable!"

Isabelle blushed, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. "I don't know, Stacy... it's a bit scary, meeting a stranger like this."

Stacy waved her hand dismissively. "Pfft, don't be silly! You're not going to meet him in a dark alley or something. He seems nice, and you clearly have a connection. Just go and have fun!"

Isabelle thought about her friend's words, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. She had to admit, she was curious about this mysterious stranger...

"Okay, fine," she said finally, making a decision. "I'll go on the date."

Stacy squealed in excitement, throwing her arms around Isabelle. "Yay! I'm so proud of you! Now, let's get ready for dinner - Liam's waiting for us downstairs."

Isabelle laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe this date thing wouldn't be so bad after all...

As they headed downstairs, the savory aroma of roasted chicken and fresh vegetables filled the air, making Isabelle's stomach growl with hunger. Liam, Stacy's boyfriend, had outdone himself this time.

"Hey, guys! Dinner's ready," Liam called out, his eyes sparkling with pride.

Stacy sauntered over to him, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Mmm, something smells amazing in here!"

Liam chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "Thanks, I was hoping you'd like it."

Isabelle joined them at the table, her eyes widening as she took in the spread. "Wow, Liam, this looks incredible!"

As they dug in, Stacy couldn't help but gist Liam about Isabelle's new date. "So, Isa's got a date tomorrow night," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Liam's eyebrows shot up. "No way! That's awesome, Isa. Who's the lucky guy?"

Isabelle blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Just someone I met online. We'll see how it goes, I guess."

Liam grinned. "Well, we're rooting for you, Isa. You deserve it!"

Stacy nodded in agreement, her mouth full of food. "Yeah, you do! And we want all the deets afterwards, got it?"

Isabelle laughed, feeling grateful for her friends' support. "Got it, guys. I'll make sure to fill you in on all the juicy details."

As they continued eating and chatting, Isabelle couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness about her upcoming date.

As they enjoyed their dinner, the conversation turned to the disturbing incident from earlier that day. "I can't believe we saw a dead body on our way home," Isabelle said, shuddering at the memory.

Liam and Stacy exchanged a grim glance. "Yeah, that was crazy," Liam agreed. "We reported it to the police, but I'm still trying to process it."

Stacy nodded. "Me too. I keep thinking about it. Poor person."

Isabelle shook her head. "I know, right? It's just so... surreal. I mean, we were just driving along, and then... there it was."

Liam put his arm around her shoulders. "We're lucky we were together. It's always better to face something like that with friends by your side."

The three friends sat in silence for a moment, lost in their own thoughts. Then Stacy spoke up. "Hey, Isa? What are you going to wear on your date tomorrow?"

Isabelle smiled, grateful for the change of subject. "I have no idea! What do you think I should wear?"

And with that, the conversation turned to fashion and dating advice, filling the rest of the evening with laughter and chatter.

After dinner, Isabelle excused herself and headed upstairs, feeling grateful for the warm and comforting meal. She climbed the stairs, her footsteps quiet on the carpet, and made her way to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her, enjoying the privacy and coziness of her own space.

Next, she filled the bathtub with steaming hot water, adding a sprinkle of calming essential oils to help her relax. As she sank into the water, she felt her muscles unwind and her mind calm.

The warmth of the bath seeped into her bones, soothing her senses and melting away any remaining tension. She closed her eyes, letting out a contented sigh as she felt her body and mind relax.

After a long, luxurious soak, Isabelle climbed out of the bath, wrapped herself in a plush towel, and got ready for bed. She slipped into her coziest pajamas, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed, feeling like she was wrapping herself in a warm hug.

As she snuggled under the blankets, she felt her eyelids grow heavy, and her breathing slow. She thought about her date tomorrow, feeling a flutter of excitement and nerves. But for now, she just let herself drift off to sleep, surrounded by the comforting silence of her bedroom.

With a happy sigh, Isabelle closed her eyes and let sleep take her away.