The space

a

the phone rang, I could hear my heart pounding in my chest loudly l

omach ached. I have missed her so much, and I just couldn't wait to se

deep breath before speaking, " Valerie, "

f she was going to hang up on me, But then her voice came back on, sounding he

some stuff, My Dad's company, I have been asked to take over his business, to run it for the family, and othe

had no idea what was happening, but why didn't you tell

ie, I was just .... overwhelmed by the whole thing I guess, But I'm back n

ost her, But then her voice came back on, sounding tentative, " Okay, Jake, we

matter what. "I'm listening, Valerie, what is it?". But there was silence at the other end, Valerie!!

le

senses as I sat at the small cafe. The address had been sent to me by Jake, our

drifted towards the door, my heart ski

and saucers provided a comforting background noise, but my attenti

ttle to ease the growing sense of unease in my chest, I checked my watch for

I tried calling him again, my fingers trembling with anxiety as I dialed his number. The phone rang, each ring feeling

soft drinks hoping that eating something would distract me from the growing unease, But every bite

but every face I saw seemed to blend together, a blur of features that weren't Jake

t the melody felt discordant, a jarring reminder of the emptiness inside me. The lig

the night; the cool breeze enveloped me, carrying with it the scent of night-blooming flow

eplayed the events of the day. The lights of my apartment buildi

ery foundation of my world had been shaken, leaving me feeling lost, worse, and alone

I stepped into the darkness of my apartment hall, I couldn't shake the f

ilence. I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim light in my room, I had j

ions, but my heart skipped a beat as I rushed to pick it up, my hands shaking slightly, and I didn'

y tone; I was anxious, hope

warm, gentle tone that made my heart sink," Ba