"I don't think it's wise going back for him after hurting him five years ago Jacinta" A lady said softly, she sat on a chair close to the window, her fingers resting on her laps. Her eyes was fixed on her best friend with concern. The room felt so heavy, every word pressing down on the silence.
Jacinta shifted uneasily, her hands twisting on her laps but her face still held a quiet determination. "I still need to give it a try Jessica, he loved me once remember, maybe he still loves me" she said, her tone steady but carrying the weight of guilt.
The lady whose name happens to be Jessica knitted her brows together "But you left him Jacinta, not just left him you left him broken, you walked away and never looked back. Even as your best friend I have to be honest with you, why do you think Charles will take you back?"
Jacinta lifted her chin, though her eyes betrayed the uneasiness and guilt she felt. "I know I was wrong, I still regret everything I did to him but my heart tells me he still cares. I just want to see him again even if it ends badly I need a closure.... or forgiveness"
Jessica lifted her a brow "What do you mean closure? you hurt him so definitely the only thing you should need from him or hope to get from him is his forgiveness and not some closure. He is even the one who needs closure from you because you left him without giving a valid reason why you ended everything with him"
Jacinta bent her head down embarrassed, Jessica noticed this and could only sigh
"Okay I think I was too harsh on you sorry about that, but at the end of the day I'm just concerned and worried about you. You know that right?"
"I know" Jacinta whispered, her head still bent down
Jessica sighed again, she leaned forward holding Jacinta's hands in hers "All right then, go ahead and give it a try but... what if he rejects you? what if he's moved on?" Her voice heard concern and worry.
"I will accept it" She said, her voice shaking as she spoke "but I won't live wondering anymore"
Jessica sighed deeply for the third time, her shoulders falling. She really wanted to stop her friend because she had the feeling Jessica would get hurt, but she also knew nothing could change her friend's mind.
*******
Charles sat in his office, the late afternoon sun pouring across the glass walls. His desk was scattered with files but his attention wasn't on them, his eyes lingered on the framed photograph in his hands. A picture of him and Jacinta smiling happily five years ago.
He rubbed his forehead setting the picture down with a frustrated sigh. For years he had tried to forget about her, burying her memories. Yet the ache still remained as fresh as the day she left.
The office door opened, his mother stepped in, her movements gentle and smiling brightly "Charles son, I decided to come surprise you today. I know you weren't expecting me to visit the off...." her sentence paused midway when she saw the picture frame on the table.
"Charles don't tell me you still aren't over that girl?" she asked quietly, but anyone could notice that she was a little bit upset.
He straightened in his chair, his jaw tightening "Mum do you think I haven't been trying to forget about her? I am trying but it isn't easy. It's been five years, five years mom! but she's still here" He tapped his chest with his fingers, his face reflecting sorrow
Lady veronica's face softened with sympathy for her son, she moved closer placing her hand over his "I know son, I watched how you suffered when she left you. It broke me too because I had always seen her as my daughter, but you can't let her hold your heart hostage for ever"
"I know mom, I really don't like the fact that remembering her still has such effect over me" he whispered, his eyes lower lowering "but some days it just feels.... Impossible"
"You must try" she urged gently "Jacinta made her choice, don't waste your future on a past that left you broken. There are plenty of women out there who can make you happy, Anastasia for example, she's so kind, such a nice girl, she's so loving and I'm definitely sure she would also be a good mom in the future. She can be everything you ever wanted in a woman"
Charles chuckled a little "There you go again mum, you never waste an opportunity do you?"
"Of course you can't blame me, I just want the best for my son" she grinned widely, trying to make the atmosphere lively again.
Charles closed his eyes briefly "I will try mum, I promise I'll try"
"That's all I ask" she squeezed his hand once more, stood up and left
Immediately the door closed Charles remained in silence but with a resolve building up, he decided to forget everything about her and give it a try with Anastasia. Just like his mother said, she could be what Jacinta couldn't be to him
*******
Anastasia walked into her home her steps slow from the long day. She found Chloe and Craig in the living room, Craig sat with a book on his lap while Chloe fiddled with her phone, restless as always.
Both looked up as she entered
Chloe jumped to her feet excitedly "Yes give us all the details, I've been itching all day to know" She moves closer to Anastasia, holding her hands.
Anastasia placed her bag down and sank into one of the couch, her expression thoughtful "It went... well" she said, not certain on the kind of went well she was talking about.
"Mr. Jake proposed to me a contract offering us more work in his company. He said he wants me to be in charge for catering for whatever event his company will be holding in the future because his business associates loved every baking of mine during his birthday event. I also saw Lady Veronica and her son Charles, and they also offered the same thing that Mr. Jake offered for Mr. Charles company"
Chloe gasp, her hands clapping together. "That's huge sis, this is exactly what we need. Imagine the pay that comes with it"
Craig however leaned back, his hands crossing over his chest and his voice filled with caution "It's actually a great opportunity, it's good but sometimes something too good can be dangerous. I hope this just have to do with them admiring your skills, purely work and nothing else. Because opportunities that come so easily like this... there is always a motive behind it"
Chloe rolled her eyes " O come on Bro, why do you have to be so negative? This is once in a lifetime opportunity, we should be happy and not being skeptical about it"
"I am not being negative Chloe, I am being realistic here. Success comes with risks, if we rush in without thinking, we'll rush out regretting it later"
Anastasia listened quietly, her gaze darting between them. "He is right Chloe, I need to be careful. We are talking about two of the most powerful companies in the city, which till now I'm still surprised that they turned out to be related. I have to make sure we are not working into something we can't handle"
Chloe sighed, giving it a thought and shrugging her shoulders "alright, let's take it step by step, we are all in this together"
Craig leaned forward his elbows resting on his knees "That's fine, but promise me you will always keep your guard up. Don't get carried away by any other thing"
Anastasia nodded, not confident about the reply she was about to give "I will be careful, it's just business"
Craig studied her face, then gave a short nod "good then"
Chloe tilted her head, curiosity written all over her face "So tell me sis, what were they like in person, especially Jake?"
"Well for Mr. Charles you already saw him the other day when he came with his mum to our bakery. Just like that day he spoke very little, but at least more than that day at the bakery. His mother did most of the talking" she paused, and then continued "and As for Mr. Jake.....he was polite, reserved, like someone that keeps to himself and doesn't say much and.....that's all" She wanted to talk about the way he always stared at her intensely, but she didn't want neither of them, especially Chloe to make a big deal out of it
"Interesting" Chloe said, tapping her chin.
Craig nodded his head "That's fine, but like I said don't get carried away by any other thing"
The room fell silent for some moment, everyone with their own thoughts. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Craig asked after some minutes "So what's your next move?"
Anastasia leaned her head against the couch, her mind weighing both options "I will call Mr. Jake tomorrow and accept his offer, I will also do the same for Mr. Charles. It's safer to keep both doors open"
Chloe clapped her hands, a small smile spreading across her face "that's perfect, diversify. It's better not to put all eggs in one basket, also don't put everything on one man"
Craig raised an eyebrow at her choice of word but said nothing, instead he turned back to Anastasia "If that's the decision you have made I'll stand by it, just remember always be on your safe guard"
"Yeah I will" she said firmly
The following morning Anastasia sat on her bed in her room, with her phone in hand. Her stomach knotted, but her decision was clear. She dialed Jake's number which was also left on the letter that was delivered to her yesterday. Her pulse raced as she waited for him to answer the call.
He answered on the third ring, his voice smooth and deep "Hello?"
"Good morning sir, it's me Anastasia" There was silence at the other end so she continued "I have thought it through and I am ready to work with your company sir. I will also move forward with Mr. Charles offer"
There was a brief silence before Jake's voice finally spoke "good, come to my office tomorrow so we can finalize the details"
Anastasia slowly exhaled the breath she didn't know she was holding "I will be there sir"
Immediately she hung up the phone she fell on her bed, a mixture of relief and unease stirred in her chest. She had chosen this path, but the future felt uncertain, like stepping into a fog
Chloe knocked and came into her room, her voice sounding eager "Was that Jake?"
"You need to stop calling him just by his name and yes that was Mr. Jake, he said I can come to his office tomorrow to finalize the details"
"Chloe rolled her eyes and puffed up her cheeks "it's not like he's here to hear me call him just by his name, anyways I'm so happy for you and for us sis!"
Anastasia could only sigh and shake her head "You're so stubborn, anyways thank you"
"Congrats sis, let's see what comes next" Craig said, walking into her room.
Chloe nodded her head excitedly "yes, tomorrow marks a new start for us!"
