2: My en

2: My

g. My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat echoing with anticipation. A storm of emotions swirled inside

my bag tighter. How would Jake react

e and climbed the stairs to his apartment. I knocked,

gain, harde

l no

me. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number-v

Had he moved wit

t, my mind a blur. I couldn't give up-not now. I needed to t

forwarding address, hastily scribbled by his neighbor

ed. For two weeks, he'd been gone, without a word. I'd been consumed by exams and n

e breathless. It looked like something out of a dream. A marvel of modern architecture w

ammering. The entrance loomed ahead-two grand wooden doors, carved with intri

ded with sunlight. The marble floors gleamed beneath my feet. Sculptures lined the wa

ere? And more importantly-what wa

elegant in a dark blue dress. Her eye

you?" she as

ng calm into my voice. "I'm a friend

se. "Jake? Oh... you must mean our b

lanced at it and nodded. "Yes, you're in the right

" as I stepped into the sitting room-

that scattered light like a cascade of stars. Cream-colored sofas sat gracefully atop a

efinement. I sat down slowly, trying not to wrinkle my dress, trying to st

tray of cups, the rich scent

efer tea?" sh

ed, gr

up. "Thank you," I murmured. She nodded and g

e warm ceramic and took a si

teps. Loud, confident

eath

it

nd striking. Her silver hair was cut into a sharp bob that framed her hi

ng to her frame like they'd been tailored by a private designer

y. "Welcome," she said, extending a

othing my skirt and

." she trailed

barely above a whisper, my heart

this time, it didn't

feeling deep in my chest-this enco