Claire was a modest, ordinary woman from an educated, middle-class family. Her mother had spent years working as a primary care physician at the local hospital, while her father was a university professor specializing in modern geology. Due to his profession, he was frequently away on research trips and expeditions, surveying remote landscapes and scouting for mineral deposits. Because of this, the family was well-off; they lived comfortably and never had to want for much.
Claire grew up in a stable, loving home. She had everything she could ever ask for. If she wanted a beautiful dress, her parents bought it immediately. If she wanted a designer bag like her friend Olivia's, her wish was granted. Despite this indulgence, she wasn't a spoiled child. She didn't abuse her parents'' generosity, and she dedicated all her free time to her studies. Ultimately, Claire graduated high school as valedictorian and got into a prestigious college without any help or connections. She graduated at the top of her class with honors. People described her as promising, hardworking, and talented. And while all of that flattered her ego, it didn't bring her any real joy.
"You see, Sophie, my life is just so boring, bland, and predictable," she said to her friend one day, lounging upside down on the sofa. "I finished school, I'll work for a bit, claw my way into a good position, marry some professor, and basically repeat my mother's life."
"Uh-huh. And what's wrong with that? Everything is on track," her friend replied with a wink.
"That's exactly what's wrong. I want an explosion of emotion. I want someone unusual and vibrant to crash into my life... someone who makes my head spin. Let them cause a little chaos. It's more interesting that way."
"Honestly, girl, I think you're just ungrateful. Anyone would kill for that kind of stability. My life is a non-stop roller coaster. You think that's easy?"
They both sighed heavily, each lost in her own thoughts.
***
The gray weekdays dragged on. Every day looked exactly like the one before. Nothing ever happened in Claire's life. She had taken a job as an accountant, but even that work had ceased to bring her any satisfaction lately. After some time, she decided she desperately needed an adventure. Mustering her courage, she went to see her father.
"Dad, your job is so interesting. Is there any way you could take me with you on your next expedition?"
"It's interesting that you're only asking now. I thought you would have said something years ago," her father said with a smile.
"So, will you take me?"
"Of course. One is starting in just a couple of days. If you can get time off work, you can start getting your gear ready. But I'm warning you now: it'll be tough. Our goal is geological surveying without any modern luxuries. We're talking rough camping."
"That's wonderful!" Claire exclaimed, jumping for joy.
A few days later, they set off. It was a long journey. During the trip, Claire managed to catch up on her sleep and got to know the whole research team. Among them was a geophysicist named Justin—a handsome, tall young man with massive hands.
Look at those hands, Claire thought. If he ever hugged me, those paws of his would cover me from head to toe.
But he turned out to be kind and cheerful. During the trip, he played the guitar and sang. It was one of the most beautiful voices Claire had ever heard. She watched the young man, her eyes smiling.
When they arrived at the site, they changed, ate, and geared up. The terrain was cold and rugged. They had to work in field conditions, and a portable base camp was set up. In the morning, the group of geologists set out.
At first, Claire was fascinated by everything they did. Then, the novelty began to wear off because nothing "exciting" was happening. The geologists created maps and performed calculations necessary for surveying the terrain. They left markers and red flags, choosing the best spots for future drilling. In the evenings, they warmed themselves by the fire, singing songs and telling stories about strange tracks in the woods, phantom wolves, mysterious abandoned structures, and sightings of ghostly figures that lured hikers and geologists into canyons or off cliffs.
Claire remembered Justin talking about Bigfoot. He described the creature in such detail that she actually found herself wanting to see one.
Then there were the dances. They danced together to folk melodies, held in each other's arms.
"So, do you regret coming? Our work is pretty dull and monotonous, isn't it? Nothing interesting ever happens," he asked, looking her straight in the eye.
"I don't regret it. My job is monotonous. Yours is fascinating. Plus, it's a change of scenery. I get to breathe fresh air, see new people, and maybe even see someone else... like a Yeti, for instance."
Justin just laughed at that. Claire looked at him, and she felt her heart beginning to thaw.
***
Claire didn't remember much of the following days because she had been clumsy enough to fall into a freezing mountain stream. Her feet got soaked, and by evening, she had a high fever. All she could recall was Justin's face; he was constantly coming by to check on her. He brought her hot tea with cookies and placed cold compresses on her forehead. By the last day of the expedition, Claire was on the mend. She was smiling again and eating her oatmeal with an appetite. When Justin came in to see her, he stood silent for a long time, watching her. Then, he sat down and took her hand.
"I'm so glad you're feeling better. I want to give you something," he said, pulling a pendant on a cord from his pocket and placing it around Claire's neck.
"What is it?"
"It's clear quartz. They say it brings its owner luck and good fortune—but only if their intentions are pure."
"That's so sweet. Thank you."
Justin looked at Claire one last time, kissed her on the forehead, and left. From that moment on, she didn't see him again. And she wanted so badly to meet him once more.
***
A week had passed since the father and daughter returned from the expedition. Everything was back to normal. Claire returned to work after her short vacation, and her father went back to the university. One evening, Claire's mother decided to have a heart-to-heart. She set the table, bought a cake, and told her daughter she wanted to talk, gesturing for her to sit down.
"Sweetie, you know how much your father and I love you, right?" she began.
"I know, Mom."
"We're always worried about you. You're thirty now, and you haven't made any plans to start a family."
"Mom, I know where this is going. But I haven't met anyone worthwhile."
"But there must be someone you like."
"Well, I liked Dad's colleague, Justin, but what's the point? He hasn't called once since our trip."
"You mean Justin Miller? He won't call you. He's a good, kind man from a wealthy family, but he's married. That's why he's staying silent."
Claire hadn't expected to hear that at all. She had felt a spark between them. He had seemed so familiar, like a kindred spirit. But she must have been mistaken. A heavy, restless feeling settled in her chest.
"Forget about him. I have a better idea. My boss has a son, Mark. He's a bright, promising young man. She raves about him. He just bought a new car and has his own small business. I want you to meet him this Friday evening."
"Mom, since when did you become a matchmaker? I didn't ask for this. Why?"
"Because youth is fleeting. You need to start thinking about stability and marriage."
Claire sighed heavily. she didn't really want to meet anyone, especially someone her mother recommended. But out of respect, she agreed.
However, Justin wouldn't leave her mind.
***
A few days before the meeting with her mother's protégé, Claire stopped by her favorite cafe, where she loved to drink frothy cappuccinos and eat fresh pastries. She walked in in a great mood, placed her order, and was heading back to her table when she came face-to-face with Justin. He was carrying a tray of coffee. As they collided, he spilled coffee all over his white sweater and dropped the tray.
"Justin! I didn't expect to see you here," Claire said, trying to wipe the stain with a wet wipe.
"Hi! I live near here. How are you? How've you been? What's new?" Justin said, and Claire realized he wasn't angry at all about his ruined clothes.
"Oh, same as always: work, home, work. I just stopped in for a coffee."
"Me too. Hey, let me buy you a cup?" he asked suddenly, giving her that same playful look.
"I think I should be the one buying you coffee. I'm the one who made a mess of you."
They both laughed. They sat down at a table, ordered more coffee and some sweets, and started chatting like old friends. After a while, they both checked their watches and prepared to leave.
"Here's my number. If you want, we could meet up sometime. Maybe grab a coffee," Justin said unexpectedly.
"I don't think that's a good idea. You're married."
Justin lowered his eyes.
"You don't understand. It's very complicated. And there's no time to explain now. Let's meet next time and I'll tell you everything," he said, draping Claire's coat over her shoulders and taking down her phone number.
"Alright. You certainly know how to create a mystery," Claire smiled back.
They left the cafe and went their separate ways. Claire stole a glance back at Justin, and he turned around every few steps to watch her walk away.
But Justin never called. Claire waited for several days. By Friday, she couldn't take it anymore and dialed the number herself. To her surprise, the phone was turned off.
"Strange. Well, maybe things really are complicated for him. He is married, after all," she thought with a sad smile.
***
The next evening, she met Mark. He arrived in a beautiful red sports car with a bouquet of roses. Surprised, Claire got into the car and, to the whistles of her colleagues, went for a drive around the city. Mark turned out to be surprisingly charismatic. He was easy to talk to, knew how to be a gentleman, and knew how to please a lady. So, Claire started dating Mark. He took her to restaurants, museums, and nightclubs. He gave her expensive gifts. In short, he courted her beautifully for a long time. Just before Claire's birthday, he confessed his love. And on Valentine's Day, he gave her an engagement ring and proposed. Everything moved so fast that Claire couldn't even process it. All she knew was that she couldn't forget Justin. He never showed his face. He never called. His phone remained off. Desperate, Claire thought long and hard and decided to accept Mark's proposal.
"So, what did you tell him?" her mother asked.
"I said yes. We're getting married, Mom."
Claire's parents were overjoyed. She, on the other hand, didn't know how to feel about it all. She had some feelings for Mark, but they were different from what she had felt for Justin. Mark and Claire got married. They moved into his large apartment and started making plans for the future. Claire told herself it was for the best, but there was still a lingering, unpleasant bitterness in her heart.
***
Three years passed.
Both Claire and Mark were busy with work. They had settled into a routine. He was traveling for business more and more often and staying late at the office. She had been promoted. But in the evenings, she was always alone. She started thinking about having a child and told her husband. He was supportive. For a whole week, they focused on the idea, calculating the best time to conceive. She was already anticipating the new addition to their little family when something unexpected happened...
One day, Claire received an anonymous text:
"You're putting on a show of family happiness, but it's all fake. Your husband is cheating on you. He has a one-year-old daughter."
The message sent Claire into shock. That evening, when her husband came home, she showed it to him.
"Mark, is this true? Do you have a daughter? Have you been cheating on me for a year?" Claire asked, her voice trembling.
"Honey, please, calm down. It's not what you think."
"And what exactly does it look like to you?"
"It's true. I have a daughter who just turned one. Her mother is Vanessa from the credit department. Her father is a major banker. I needed this, don't you see? To get the loans. They wouldn't give them to me otherwise. I didn't want us to have a kid. It just happened. By accident."
"By accident? You cheated on me for a year—maybe more—'by accident'?" Claire's legs gave out, and she sat on a chair to keep from falling.
"Yes. She means nothing to me. It was for the business."
"I see," she said, and walked into the other room.
She cried there all night, and in the morning, she packed her things and moved back to her parents.
A few days later, she filed for divorce, unable to forgive her husband's betrayal. As it turned out, besides Vanessa, there had been other women, and he had seduced each of them for some ulterior motive. Vanessa herself told Claire this, having expressed a desire to meet with Mark's wife and have a heart-to-heart. After the divorce, Claire couldn't pull herself together. She cried many tears; she suffered from migraines and depression.
***
One day, she decided to get out of the house and clear her head. Instead of going home after work, she went to that same cafe where she used to eat those delicious pastries. Just outside the entrance, she saw a man with no legs. He was playing the guitar, singing beautifully, and begging for change. There was something familiar in his voice. Claire stopped and looked closely at the homeless man. Staring into his face, darkened by dirt and grime, she gasped. It was her Justin.
"Justin," she called out, her voice breaking.
He looked at her and silently looked away.
"You've got the wrong guy, ma'am," he finally forced out. He whistled, waved to someone, and started quickly gathering his things.
A three-year-old boy came around the corner of the building and started helping the man into a wheelchair. Watching this, Claire couldn't bear it. She took the stone Justin had given her from around her neck and placed it in the donation box.
"I'm not mistaken. Justin. It's you. Pure intentions, remember?"
The young man looked into Claire's eyes and smiled.
"I didn't think you still had it."
Then he told her everything. He had entered into an arranged marriage; his parents had insisted. He didn't love the woman, but he couldn't refuse his parents. Then he had met Claire and fallen in love. But his status as a married man wouldn't let him see her secretly, even though he wanted to. He couldn't do that to a woman who had touched his soul. On that last evening, he had thought it all over and decided not to call. Later, he was driving with his parents when a speeding SUV hit them. The driver was drunk. Justin's car was literally crushed. His legs were pinned; they had to be amputated. His parents didn't survive. As soon as he lost his legs, his wife left him. She took all the money and ran away. Only his son remained.
"I have nothing. Only my son. So we're out here."
Hearing this, Claire burst into tears. She hugged Justin. He took her hands in his, and they held on to each other for a long time. Then, she took him and his son home with her. Exactly one year later, she gave birth to their daughter, Emily. They opened their own consulting firm and lived as a large, loving family. And that quartz stone that brought them back together was placed in a frame under glass and hung on the wall of their home.
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