Morning encounter

It was the next day while she was getting ready for work Kate saw Kincaid's message and her lips curved into a bashful smile.

Good Morning. Have a good day!

Kate sent him a message as she munched on her sandwich. At the same time, she sent replies to her family who as usual was going crazy early in the morning in the group chat.

Dylan: Sis, save me. Mom wants to sacrifice me to the witches!!!

Kate: What did you do now?

Dylan: I broke her favorite coffee mug by mistake.

Kate: Oops!! I'm sorry, buddy. I can't save you. You committed a grave sin.

Dylan: Sis, you can't say that!!! Help me!!!!!!

Kate: I'll miss you, Brother. I hope you have a wonderful afterlife.

Dylan: Sis!!!!!

Kate: Dad, is Mom crying? Is the roof intact or is it...

Dad: Not yet. I think she's more angry and is looking for something to smack Dylan with. Dylan, wherever you are keep hiding. Don't come down. Otherwise, I can't save you.

Dylan: No! I better hide before Mom finds me and smacks my ass.

Mom: Dylan, if you want to remain alive, come down before I find you.

Dylan: Mom, I'm sorry. It was a mistake. My hand slipped.

Mom: Mistake? How? Did you apply oil to your palms that my mug slipped? 

Dylan: Mom, I...I... Please spare me this once. Please.

Mom: Come down. I'll count to 5. Don't make me wait. Otherwise, you'll not get any food today.

Dylan: Mom!!!

Kate clicked her tongue as she saw her mother threaten her brother. 'You're done for Dylan. Best of luck, baby brother.'

Mom: 5.

Dylan: Mom, please forgive me this once. I promise I'll never do it again.

Mom: 4. Again? Do you intend to say that you'll touch my mugs again? How dare you!

Dylan: Mom, that's not what I meant. You're twisting my words here. Dad, please help me.

Dad: Dylan, I don't want to get my ass smacked by my wife. I'm sorry, son. You're alone on this one.

Mom: 3.

Dylan: Sis, please help me. Let me seek refuge in your house. I don't want to die yet.

Mom: 2.

Kate: Oh uh. I'll be leaving for work soon. If you can make it here by then, you're most welcome.

Dylan: All traitors!

Mom: 1

Dylan: I'm coming. I'm coming, Mom. RIP, Dylan. It was nice here, although I stayed for only a few years. I hope my death will be less painful and you guys will miss me. To the mighty abode, here I come.

Kate burst out laughing when she saw Dylan's last message. 

'What a joker!' She thought and immediately, Tristan's face flashed in her mind. Her brother seemed like a mini him. 'Hmm, Dylan and Tristan would make a good combo. Maybe, I should introduce them to each other one day. But wait a moment!'

Kate sat up straight and she started having second thoughts. 'If the two troublemakers meet, I doubt anyone will be able to control them. They're going to wreak havoc and it'll be difficult to control them. The two jokers are better off without knowing each other.'

Kate had no idea that her plan to keep the two men away would soon be foiled and how chaotic it'd become in the near future. 

Swallowing the last bite of her sandwich, she placed the plate in the dishwasher. Taking a quick look in the mirror, she adjusted her shirt and combed her hair. Picking up her bag, keys and phone, she hurried out of the house, only to find a fully dressed Kincaid leaving his apartment at the same time.

Compared to the previous night when he was dressed in all black like a typical bad boy, he was wearing smart casual attire. 

'Fuck! He looks so damn good.' Kate thought as she admired him discreetly. 

Kincaid did look amazing. With his black trousers, plain white T-shirt, and a grey blazer, he looked like he was ready for a photoshoot.

While Kate was admiring him, Kincaid took his own sweet time to check her out as well. Although she wasn't dressed to kill, she looked lovely in her jeans and a tucked-in blouse. Just perfect for her job.

"Good Morning. What a coincidence!" Kincaid smiled widely as he greeted her.

"Good Morning. Is it really a coincidence?" Kate didn't believe him and eyed him suspiciously.

"Yes, it is. Did you sleep well?" Kincaid didn't tell her that he had been stuck to the door since morning as he peeped through the peephole like a creep, waiting for her to leave her apartment to create a beautiful encounter. He didn't reveal how his friends had teased him for his antics, especially Paul and Tristan who hadn't missed a second pulling his leg. What a Kate-gifted opportunity!

Kate nodded at him as they entered the elevator together. "What about you?"

"Oh, I slept like a baby."

"Awesome."

"Kate, I hope you weren't offended yesterday." Kincaid was listless and he looked at her apologetically.

"Offended? Why would I be offended?" Kate couldn't comprehend the meaning behind his words. What was he trying to say? Who would offend her?

"My friends could be a little extreme sometimes. I hope their words and actions didn't hurt you." Kincaid explained and Kate's lips parted in realization.

"Ohh, them. Your friends are a happy bunch. They are cool people to hang out with and don't worry, their quirks didn't offend me. In fact, I found them all lovely and amiable." Kate replied honestly and Kincaid was overwhelmed with joy. 

"Are you going out for work?" Kate questioned as Kincaid followed her out of the elevator to the parking lot.

"Yes, I need to meet my Chief. He is going berserk after I took a leave."

"Ohh. Then, have a good day. See you later."

"Do you want me to drop you off at your workplace?" Kincaid gave her a hopeful look, only for the light in his eyes to vanish when Kate shook his head.

"No, thank you. I presume we're going in different directions and I have a few places to go later in the afternoon."

"Next time, then." 

"Sure. Take care."

The couple separated after bidding goodbye. While Kate entered her car, Kincaid approached his jeep.

Kate was the first to leave the building and Kincaid followed her for quite some distance before he took another direction at one of the intersections.