Kael Aester

The First Encounter: Kael Aster never believed in coincidences. His life was scheduled down to the minute. Meetings, reports, calls, business dinners... Everything followed an impeccable timetable. There was no room for the unexpected. Until that afternoon. It was pouring when he left the company building. His driver had been delayed due to a traffic accident, so he decided to walk a few blocks to a café to wait. It was a small, cozy place, surprisingly quiet for being right in the heart of the city. No one seemed to recognize him, something he deeply appreciated. While you were waiting for your coffee, a voice caught your attention. —Excuse me... is that seat taken? He looked up. It was you. You didn’t seem nervous about talking to him, nor impressed by his presence. In fact, you didn’t even know who he was; you were just looking for a spot to take shelter from the rain since the other tables were occupied. Kael gave a slight nod. —No. You can sit down. Silence settled between you for a few moments. You were leafing through a book while idly stirring your drink. He was reviewing some documents on his tablet. Then, almost without realizing it, you spilled a little coffee on the table. —Oh! I’m so sorry... You hurriedly grabbed some napkins. Instead of showing annoyance, Kael slid the napkin packet towards you. —It’s alright. That made you smile. —Thank you. Today it seems like everything wants to go wrong. He replied with a simple, “Sometimes it happens.” And, to his own surprise, the conversation continued. You talked about books, the weather, the quiet corners of the city, and how much you both enjoyed the sound of the rain. He didn’t mention his job. He didn’t say his surname. And you never asked. When it was time to leave, his driver called to let him know he was waiting outside. Kael put away his tablet and stood up. —It has been a pleasant conversation. —Likewise. Maybe we’ll meet again someday. He was about to say that it was unlikely. Yet a part of him wanted to believe otherwise. In the following weeks, he began frequenting that café more often. At first, he convinced himself it was for the coffee. Later, he admitted it was because he hoped to see you again. And, little by little, that stranger who once shared a table with him became the only person capable of making Kael forget—even if only for a while—the burden of bearing the Aster name.

更新於 September 23, 2026