Brew Haven Cafe
The cafeteria buzzed with life, laughter bubbling up from tables filled with chatter and clinking dishes. It felt almost surreal, like a vibrant painting she was trapped outside of. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for her familiar face. It had been too long.
As she found a spot at a small table in the corner, the scent of coffee and warm pastries enveloped her, grounding her in the moment. Savannah couldn't shake the heaviness in her chest, a reminder of the silence that had seeped into her life since he was gone. She stirred her untouched cup of tea, watching the steam twist and curl into the air, just like the memories that swirled in her mind.
Then, there she was. Anastasia. Her hair pulled back in a loose bun, a bright smile breaking through the haze that had settled over her heart. As she approached, Savannah tried to muster a smile in return, but it felt like a fragile mask.
"Hey!" she said, wrapping her arms around Savannah in a warm embrace. Savannah sank into her, grateful for the comfort, yet the weight of her grief felt like an anchor, pulling her deeper into the shadows.
"Hey," Savannnah replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She searched her eyes for understanding, hoping she could see the storm brewing beneath her surface.
"Let's get some food," she said, her tone bright and hopeful, yet there was an undercurrent of concern in her voice. They moved to the line, and she tried to focus on the choices in front of her. Savannah could hear her talking about her recent vacation, laughter spilling from her lips like it used to, but she felt like an observer, watching through a foggy glass.
As thet settled back at the table with their plates, Anastasia's chatter softened, and she leaned in, her expression shifting to something more serious. "How have you been?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and full. Savannah took a breath, feeling the tears prick but it didnt come out "I'm... trying," she said, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. "Some days are better than others."
She nodded, her gaze steady and compassionate. "I'm here for you, you know that, right?"
Savannah nodded, the warmth of her presence wrapping around her like a blanket. It was comforting, yet the reminder of what she had lost pierced through. Savannah opened my mouth to speak, to let it all out the pain, the memories, the unbearable absence-but the words tangled in her throat.
Instead, she took a sip of her tea, letting the warmth wash over her. The room buzzed on around them, a reminder that life was moving forward, even when she felt stuck in place. But with Anastasia here, Maybe, just maybe, she could begin to share the burden, piece by piece, with someone who understood, and we can get back together.
"Tasy," Savannah said, as they began to gather their things. "I've been meaning to ask… how was your wedding?"
The question felt heavy, laden with the weight of her lost memories. Savannah could sense that something was off in the air, a shift, a tension. Tasy's smile faltered for just a moment, and Savannah noticed it—something flickered in her eyes. Sadness? Regret? It was impossible to tell, but it made Savannah's heart sink.
"Um, about that…" Tasy began slowly, her voice quieter than usual, almost hesitant. She glanced down at her hands, fiddling with the fabric of her sleeve as if she were searching for the right words, or maybe for the courage to say them.
Savannah watched her, confused, waiting. But the words that came next hit her like a punch to the gut. "I didn't get married."
Savannah's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean you didn't get married? I thought—"
"Two days before the wedding, I got the news," Tasy interrupted, her voice soft and distant, as if the memory was something she still couldn't fully bear to speak of. Savannah saw the way Tasy's expression shifted—pain, raw and real, etched across her face. It felt like a blow to Savannah's chest, and the world around her seemed to blur at the edges.
"About your disappearance," Tasy continued, her words deliberate, heavy. "And about your son."
The silence that followed was thick, suffocating. The air felt colder, the weight of the revelation too much to bear. Savannah's head spun, her thoughts disjointed. The room seemed to close in around her as she grasped for clarity, struggling to make sense of the words that had just shattered her reality.
"What?" she whispered, her voice trembling as the confusion churned inside her. The knot in her stomach tightened, her pulse racing. "I don't understand… why would you—"
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, her eyes softening as she tried to find the right words.
"You were gone, Savannah," Ana said, her voice a little shakier than usual. "And I didn't know what to do. And then I found out about your son... I just couldn't go through with it. It felt wrong to celebrate, knowing you were in so much pain." She paused, as if considering something deeper. "I may not have been the best friend to you, but I just... I wanted to be there for you."
The weight of Anastasia's words sank into Savannah's chest like a stone.
The reality crashed over her, overwhelming and sudden, as though the world itself had just shifted beneath her feet. Her memory loss had carved out a hollow space where joy should have been—the wedding, a moment that should've been filled with love and celebration, was gone. She could feel the sadness tug at her heart, the missing pieces of her life, the pieces that no one could give back.
"I didn't know… I'm so sorry," Savannah whispered, her voice thick with regret and confusion.
Ana reached for her hand, her grip warm and reassuring. It was as if she was trying to anchor Savannah, remind her that there was still something solid in the midst of the storm. "You don't have to apologize," Anastasia said, her voice soft but firm. "You were dealing with so much. We were all worried about you."
Savannah blinked, the tears threatening to spill, but she fought them back. "I didn't even know I was missing," she murmured, the words trembling as they left her mouth. "I lost that entire year."
Anastasia nodded, her eyes full of empathy, the kind of understanding that only someone who truly cared could offer. "I know. That's why I'm here now. I wanted to be there for you. I still want to be. You're my best friend, and I'm not going anywhere. No matter what."
A small, crooked smile tugged at the corner of Ana's lips. "And hey, don't worry," she said, the glimmer of mischief returning to her eyes. "Good news is on the way."
Savannah raised her eyebrows, the smallest hint of curiosity peeking through the fog of emotion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Anastasia leaned back against the wall, her expression relaxed but knowing, as though she were savoring the moment of mystery. "You'll find out in the coming month," she said, her voice playful, yet there was an undeniable warmth beneath it.
Savannah couldn't help but smile, the faintest spark of hope igniting inside her.
Maybe, just maybe, things were about to shift.
Next Day
Baldwin's mansion
The soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the grand staircase as she descended, each step echoing in the silence of the mansion. Dressed in a sleek black outfit that hugged her form. The air was heavy with unspoken words, a tension that crackled between them, and Savannah could sense it even before she reached the bottom.
As she stepped into the main hall, her breath caught in her throat. He stood there, dressed in a tailored black suit, looking every bit of him. His sharp features were shadowed by the dim light, vet the intensity in his qaze was unmistakable. A few of his men lingered nearby.
Their presence a reminder of the world he navigated-but can't pinpoint.
Savannah approached him, her heart heavy. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. The weight of the moment pressed down on them, and she could see the burden he carried.
Blaze turned to her, his expression softening just a fraction. "I'm fine," he replied, though she could tell it was more of a formality than the truth. "Just... a lot on my mind." He added--
"You don't have to, Savannah," Blaze said, his voice steady but tinged with a vulnerability he rarely showed. "I can go through this on my own."
Savannah looked at him, her expression neutral, but there was something deeper in her gaze. Something unspoken, something understanding. After a moment, she spoke, her voice soft but firm, "I want to."
She took a slow breath.
"I know how hard it is... I understand more than you think." Her heart ached with the words, and though she longed to reach out, to comfort him, something kept her hand frozen in place.
Blaze's heart swelled at her words. He was grateful beyond measure, and yet, part of him feared what his life would look like without her. He couldn't imagine it.
She was everything to him—perfect in every way. But the thought that she might be the death of him one day? It lingered like a quiet prophecy in the back of his mind. He couldn't deny it. She had a way of pulling him to the edge, and yet, he couldn't help but want to fall with her.
His eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, the world around him seemed to fade into the background. Time slowed, the noise of the world dimming. He had her, and that was all that mattered.
"I know," he said, his voice quieter now, the weight of his words carrying a layer of gratitude that Savannah could feel in her bones. "It means more than you realize."
They walked toward the waiting car, side by side, their footsteps in sync, each one carrying a quiet promise of something unspoken. In that moment, they were two souls bound together in a complex, delicate dance—one that neither could fully explain, but both knew would change them forever.
For the first time in a long while, it felt like everything was aligned. And for the first time in a long while, Blaze didn't feel alone.
Graveyard
The chill of the autumn air wrapped around them as they walked through the graveyard, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot punctuating the stillness. The sky was a muted gray, and--
Savannah feel the weight of the day pressing down on them both. It had been a year since his father passed, a year filled with unsaid words and unhealed wounds, and today was a day of remembrance.
He walked with a quiet intensity, his jaw set, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat.
Savannah admired him for his strength, but she also felt the ache of his grief, a palpable thing that hung between them like a thick fog. It was a moment he needed to navigate on his own.
As they approached the grave, She caught a glimpse of the headstone, the inscription still fresh in her mind. It felt surreal to stand there, in this sacred space, where love and loss coexisted.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady ger own swirling emotions. This was about him today, not her. But she felt the same nauseous feeling as once she was there for her son.
He stopped, and Savannah stayed a step behind, giving him the space he needed. She watched as he knelt before the grave, his expression a mix of sorrow and reflection.
After a moment, Blaze pulled a small bouquet of flowers from his secretary's hand and placed them gently at the base of the headstone.
"I miss you, Dad," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. It was a simple statement, but the weight of everything left unsaid hung in the air, palpable and suffocating.
Savannah stepped closer, her hand instinctively resting on his shoulder. "It's okay," she said softly, her voice steady and calm, a quiet strength behind her words. "Don't hold it in."
He turned and looked up, his eyes locking with hers.
In that brief moment, Savannah saw the cracks in his carefully constructed facade—the raw vulnerability beneath. "Thank you," he replied, his voice sincere, the weight of his emotions cutting through the somber air. "It just... feels heavy."
"I understand," she whispered, stepping in closer still, her presence warm and grounding. It was an unspoken offer of support, a silent understanding that she would be there for him, no matter the burden. She wanted to say more, but the words hung in the air, unsaid, as if they could never be enough.
Blaze nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to the grave, the weight of his father's absence settling on him like a blanket. "I just wish I could talk to him one more time," he admitted, his voice cracking slightly, revealing the pain he carried. "There's so much I never got to say."
"I know," Savannah replied, feeling the sting of tears at the back of her throat. "But he knew you loved him. That will never change."
They stood there in silence, the moment stretching on as they both tried to come to terms with the emptiness that lingered between them. After a long pause, Blaze stood, his posture a little less tense now, the heaviness in his shoulders finally easing.
"Let's go," he said, his voice quiet, and Savannah felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. It meant a lot that he was ready to leave this place, ready to move on—at least for now.
"No, wait!" Savannah suddenly said, stopping him in his tracks. Blaze turned, confused, his brows furrowing in question. "Give me a few minutes," she added, her voice firm but gentle. Without another word, she walked away from him, leaving Blaze standing there, watching her retreating figure with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
"How much time do we have?" Blaze asked, turning to his secretary, who was now walking toward him.
"The meeting starts in an hour," she replied, glancing at him with a raised brow.
Blaze nodded, then turned back to the gravestone, his father's name engraved on the cold stone. A dark shift seemed to wash over him as his expression hardened.
"You sure take your time, Father," he muttered, his tone sharp and filled with something almost sinister. "The reason I never liked you."
Savannah returned moments later, holding something in her hand. Blaze glanced up as she approached, his gaze questioning. "You're back," he said, his tone softer now.
She nodded, her eyes meeting his for a brief second before she crouched down beside the grave.
With a deep breath, her heart pounding, she carefully pulled out a small, worn photo. The edges were frayed, the colors faded with time, but the joy captured in the image was undeniable. It was a picture of Blaze as a child, a moment frozen in time where his infectious joy radiated from the photo. She placed it gently at the base of the headstone, right beside the flowers he had brought.
Blaze turned, surprised. His eyes widened as he saw the photo, a mixture of confusion and gratitude flickering across his features. "Is that...?" His voice trailed off, as though he couldn't quite comprehend what he was seeing.
Savannah nodded, her throat tight. "I found this in the mansion. Asked Arthur about it." She paused, her eyes lingering on the photo for a moment before meeting Blaze's. "I thought he should see you too. You're his son, and I know he'd want to remember you like this."
Blaze stood silent for a long moment, absorbing the gesture, the emotion in his eyes shifting between grief, nostalgia, and something warmer—something tender. "Thank you," he finally said, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"It means more than you know."
Savannah's heart softened at his words, the relief and gratitude in his eyes speaking volumes. Blaze leaned in closer to the grave, his fingers brushing gently over the photo she had placed there.
"I wish he could see how far I've come," he murmured, his voice distant, lost in the weight of his memories. "I wish I could tell him everything."
"You can," she said softly, her words imbued with a quiet wisdom. "In your heart, he's always with you. You carry him wherever you go."
Blaze felt a rush of relief, a deep sense of gratitude flooding through him.
He wasn't alone in this, not with her by his side. It wasn't just the gesture of the photo, though that meant more than he could say—it was the way she understood him without words, the way she could read the pain he tried so hard to hide.
He wanted to tell her everything—the truth, even the parts he didn't want to face. She deserved that much, and more.
But for now, just knowing she was there, standing beside him, was enough.
He realized, in that quiet moment, how truly lucky he was to have her in his life. How deeply he admired her, how much he cherished her thoughtfulness.
It wasn't just a gesture of kindness—it was something deeper, something that spoke to the heart of what they were to each other.
Author's Note :
Enjoy everyone<3
Take care of yourselves <3
Have a great day/night <3<3