They say fate ties you to the one you're meant to love—literally.
An invisible golden thread. Magical. Absolute. Unbreakable.
Once in a lifetime, when you stand close enough to your fated partner, it appears—glowing and radiant, like destiny wrapped around your finger. Most people never even see theirs.
But Andrew Sebastian? Oh, he's a believer.
A 27-year-old romantic. Café owner. Gay. And still waiting for that golden thread to shimmer into existence like a blessing from the universe.
The only problem?
He has never even been kissed.
And just when he thinks his time might finally come… He gets hit by a truck.
---
Three Hours Earlier…
"Are you here for free coffee again?" Andrew asked, raising an eyebrow. "I think you should start paying for your coffee, even if we've been best friends since middle school, Chase."
"Stop being a cheapskate, Andy," Chase shot back, flopping into his usual seat with a smug grin. "This is exactly why being friends with broke people is a liability."
"I'm the owner of this building, Chase, where you come for free coffee every afternoon, and you dare call me cheap? At least I don't work under someone who drains me dry with overtime and empty promises." Andrew shot back, smirking.
"I'm working hard to take care of you," Chase mumbled under his breath.
"Aw, come on, honey. Let me be the one who does the taking care," Andrew quipped, tossing a wink his way.
Chase rolled his eyes, grinning. "Anyway, the guy I met at the bar yesterday was sooo fine… The dude was hot, and damn, his body was fire! We shared a kiss, and he was a great kisser—his lips tasted like milk and honey," Chase said, making an exaggerated cute face.
"You're such a hoe lately," Andrew said, mock-scandalized. "What happened to emotional depth?"
"But the bar's been crawling with hot guys," Chase sighed dreamily. "And maybe I'm actually ready for something real this time."
"Right. Until next week, when you ghost another poor soul."
"Rude!" Chase pouted. "Besides, what about you, Mr. Fated Partner or Bust? Still saving yourself for Prince Shy and Petite?"
Andrew leaned on the counter dramatically. "Yes. My man is coming. I can feel it. Petite, stylish, loves late-night walks and BL manhwa. We'll bake cakes and binge dramas and wear matching silk robes. It's fate, Chase. I can smell it."
"I can smell something alright."
A customer called out, "One iced tea and cheesecake, please!"
"Sure, coming right up! Timmy, get the order!" Andrew called out.
"Yes, sir!" Timmy—a teen with a hopeful smile and bright blue shirt—rushed to grab the order.
Here's your order, ma'am," Timmy said, handing it over.
"Thank you!" the woman in red replied, smiling as she took it.
"Chase, shouldn't your break be over?" Andrew asked pointedly.
"This job is draining the soul from my body," Chase moaned. "I swear I'm going to die in that office chair."
"I thought you said you were working hard to take care of me?" Andrew smirked.
"I seriously will kill you one day," Chase groaned as he stood up to leave. "Being your best friend is exhausting."
"Hustle hard, Chase!" Andrew called with a grin.
The café buzzed with life. Laughter. Background music. Spoons clinking against ceramic mugs. Lisa wiped down a nearby table, giggling. A girl at the window whispered to her friend, "It's always chaos in here."
---
Later that evening…
As twilight softened the streets outside, Andrew flipped the café sign to CLOSED.
"Don't forget to lock up, Lisa, and Timmy, take some leftover cake home to share with your siblings. I know how hard you're working to take care of them," Andrew said, smiling warmly.
"Thank you, sir!" Timmy beamed.
The warm breeze hit Andrew's face as he stepped outside, stretching. The golden hour painted everything in soft hues.
He glanced at his watch. "6:30?! Crap. I need to move!"
I can't miss tonight's episode of Hot Man: Reality Edition… They're finally revealing who the secret straight guy is, …and I still need to grab Volume 2 of Men Are in Love—my favorite BL manhwa—from the bookstore.
As he walked, his thoughts wandered. They say there are infinite universes, alternate timelines—but mine? Mine's special.
Everyone is born with a destined partner once in their lifetime. The golden thread of fate connects people to their fated partner, regardless of gender. While it's difficult to meet your fated partner—only about twenty percent of people do.
But Andrew Sebastian, 27, fabulous, unapologetically hot (and very much a top—hopefully), still believed.
Sure, I've been single forever. So what? I've had more crushes than I can count—some guys even liked me back.
But as a die-hard romantic who worships the idea of true fate, he'd saved himself. For the one.
Not that his friends ever let him forget it.
"Andrew, how do you know you're gay if you've never even dated?"
"Andrew, how do you know you're a top?"
Ugh. So annoying.
Still, nothing would change his heart.
I want to find my one and only man. Sexy, sweet, maybe a little shy. Fate, I believe in you. He nearly shouted it aloud.
Suddenly, a crowd screamed from across the plaza.
"Say yes! Say yes!"
Andrew turned to see a romantic proposal unfolding in front of the fountain. A young man held out a rose, candles flickering around him. His partner burst into tears and nodded.
Andrew scoffed. "Ugh, couples. That won't last. His partner's not even cute. That nose? Too big. And why propose in public? So tacky."
Then—
BAM.
A blinding flash. Tires screeching. A scream.
"Someone call an ambulance!"
Andrew blinked up at the sky, the world spinning. His limbs wouldn't move.
This… this is what I get for judging people in love?
Their relationship is definitely going to last.
Is this really how I go out? Hit by a truck? Before I ever kissed my fated one? Not even once?!
So… Chase was right after all?
Fate, why do you hate me?!
And then everything faded to black.