A/N: So TEW was a mistake and now I'm in love with Joseph. This is just going to be a short series...and set before all the shit that happened in TEW1.

Chapter One: Fate is a Bitch

"I don't understand."

Ceres ignores her friend, Loraine, and opts to take a sip of the tea latte she had ordered earlier. The sweet flavour that invades her taste buds make her smile faintly, appreciating the instant calming effect it gives her.

It's a beautiful Tuesday noon at Krimson City. She and Loraine don't have any classes until later in the afternoon so they decided to spend their break at their usual cafe. The quaint establishment is quiet and only occupied by a few people, especially since the morning rush has passed and most people are out, going about their day.

"You're smart, beautiful, and a capable woman! And yet here you are, single and no boyfriend at all!"

Ceres resists the urge to sigh, already knowing where this conversation is leading to.

Loraine's amber eyes peer at her with obvious concern, her brown hair braided neatly. She's wearing that favoured dark green a-line dress of hers. Her golden band on her ring finger glistens, one she wears with great confidence.

"Who said anything about wanting a man? What if I wanted to date a woman instead?" She remarks with a slight teasing grin.

Her friend stops in-between her rant, blinking at her with wide eyes.

"Do you?"

She snickers at her friend's gullibility, hiding her amusement by taking another sip of her drink.

"No."

Loraine gives her a slight glare at that.

"Come on, Ceres. You're almost twenty-nine and yet you're nowhere close to getting married. Aren't you worried?"

Ceres internally rolls her eyes at her friend's words.

Ever since her friend got married a year ago, she has been on her case about seriously dating once again. And since she has shown no signs (or interest) of changing her current relationship status, her friend took it upon her to rectify this issue. She even tried to set her up with some of her husband's friends. Obviously it never worked, only because she made up excuses why she wouldn't be able to make it to the dates or just plainly turn the guy down depending on her mood.

She knows Loraine means well but she ought to really stay out of her business. Her friend is the type to believe that no one is complete unless they get married. Not that Ceres is opposed to marriage, but she thinks forcing herself to find someone just to get married isn't the way to do it.

"Not really," she admits dismissively. "I have better things to do. Besides, I love my job too much to really focus on anyone right now."

Loraine gives her a disapproving look.

"And next thing you know, you've turned into an old maid."

"An old maid who can afford someone to take care of herself since she never had to spend any money on children," she attempts a joke but when she peers at her friend and sees her horrified expression, she sighs. "It's a joke, Loraine."

Her friend only shakes her head.

"You do have an ideal man at least, right?"

"'Course I do."

The excited look on her friend's face is instant at that, sitting up straight, looking giddy.

"Well? 'Fess up!"

She chuckles, deciding to humour her friend this once so that this dreaded topic is done. Knowing her, she just wants an idea of what kind of man she likes just so she can search for possible prospects.

"I'm not picky – just the typical, dark, handsome type." A pause. "Glasses wouldn't hurt, makes them look like an intellectual."

When she hears no smart comeback from her friend, she looks up and finds her mouth wide agape in shock, almost as if she's just seen a ghost.

"What?" She asks with an arched brow.

It takes her dark-haired friend to respond, her mouth opening and closing a few times.

"...I think I've just found your ideal man," she finally manages to say.

Ceres rolls her eyes, finishing the contents of her drink.

"Uh-huh."

"No, he's right there."

Ceres looks over her shoulder to where her friend is pointing at behind her.

There, by the cash register, is a man wearing a white shirt and black waistcoat. The gun holstered by his side is unmistakable – a cop, perhaps? His back is turned towards them but she can tell that he is speaking with a taller Caucasian man whose outfit is almost similar to his. Perhaps sensing her eyes on him, he turns his head to look at her direction. Ceres can see his eyes briefly widen in surprise, recognition.

Oh no.

He suddenly leaves midway their conversation, much to his partner's chagrin as he attempts to call him back. But his friend ignores him blatantly,

"Hey! Where are you going?"

She can hear her friend making excited noises as the man approaches her, unaware of the panic threatening to overwhelm her.

"Ceres?" He calls out to her, his tone sounding both happy and shocked at the same time.

She gives him an awkward smile, no doubt looking much more of a grimace than anything.

"...Joseph."

Fate just had to throw her ex-boyfriend at her, huh?