Mia Johnson was once full of dreams the city promised to fulfill. She believed in love, in loyalty, and in a future carefully planned beside the man she trusted. But when everything she held onto collapsed—her relationship, her confidence, her sense of direction—she was forced to rebuild herself from the ruins of a heartbreak she never saw coming.
Her ex-boyfriend's betrayal did more than break her heart; it shattered the life she thought was secure. With nothing left to hold her in place, Mia left behind the familiar and moved to the city, She promise her self that she will do everything that will make her to be successful and also find a way to survive in the city. She wanted distance from the memories, from the pain, and from the woman she used to be.
Mia made a promise to her self to do whatever that makes her happy and never backed down.
After moving to the city, Mia began working as a cashier in a coffee shop ( Midtown Coffee Co.). Because the job did not pay well, she applied to many companies. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in marketing and communications. on Monday morning Mia woke up from a phone call "Rang, Rang, Rang " She Picked her phone and answer the call without checking who is on the line
""Hello," Mia said softly, her tiny voice almost swallowed by the hum of the coffee shop.
"Hi, it's me—Lauren Brooks!" Lauren's cheerful voice cut through the morning bustle. She had been Mia's only close friend since she moved to the city, and they had worked side by side at the coffee shop for months.
Mia's eyes widened as she glanced at her phone. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't check my phone… Wait, what time is it?" She held the device awkwardly, feeling a mix of guilt and embarrassment.
"Babe, you're late! You know Mr. Carter"—Lauren's voice turned worried—"the manager of Midtown Coffee Co., will be here soon, and if you don't get your ass here, you're gonna be fired. And I don't want that for you."
Holy shit! I'll be there now—I… I slept off! Oh my God, thanks, friend!" Mia exclaimed, brushing her teeth as she ended the phone call.
Panic surged through her as she quickly rinsed, threw on her uniform, and grabbed her bag. Within minutes, she was out the door, the morning sun just catching the edges of the city skyline as she hurried toward the bus stop.
Mia stood at the bus stop, the city rushing past her like she no longer belonged to it. She was lost in thought—bus horns blared, engines roared, and people hurried by with purpose in their step. She hurriedly boarded the bus and found a seat, tightening her grip on her handbag. Glancing at her phone, she saw the time—8:30 a.m.—and muttered to herself, "Oh, I'm late."
Staring out the window, the buildings blurred into one another. That's when she noticed a man glancing at her from a 2014 Toyota Camry. She quickly looked away, her cheeks warming. It was Marcus Thompson
The bus jerked to a stop, and Mia rushed off, sprinting toward the coffee shop. She entered, quickly got changed into her uniform, and glanced around. A car horn blared outside—Mr. Carter was here. Lauren moved closer to Mia's desk, whispering a quick warning.
"God saved you, or you would've been fired," Lauren said to Mia.
"Thanks I really appreciate it, If not for you I really don't know what to do" Mia appreciate Lauren. The doorbell rang—"Braaaaaaang"—and a customer approached Mia. At lunchtime, Mia and Lauren talked about Mia's new love interest, but Mia denied it since they had not started a relationship.
One years after Mia start working at midtown coffee co. she met Marcus Thompson. It wasn't the life she once planned for herself, but after everything she had been through, the café felt safe. The smell of coffee, the soft music, and the routine helped her forget the heartbreak that had ruined her trust in love. After being cheated on by the man she once loved, Mia had promised herself she would never open her heart again.
Marcus became a regular customer. He came in every morning, ordered black coffee, and always said "thank you" like it truly mattered. At first, Mia kept her distance. She was polite, professional, and careful. This was the first time in a very long time she had noticed a man, and that alone scared her.
"Is your lover not coming today?" Lauren asked jokingly.
"Who? No, why would you call him my love? We're just friends," Mia said, laughing nervously.
"Says who? I know that guy is into you, so don't miss your chance, my friend, okay?" Lauren said gently. She had heard about Mia's last lover and wanted her to move on.
" I saw him this morning—I didn't even realize he was staring at me from his car. I was shocked when I noticed him through the bus window, and, moreover, this is not why I came to the city," Mia said nervously.
"I know, but you really have to give him a chance. Besides, who knows—he might be able to get you a job at Biotherm, the luxury skincare company. He's the marketing department manager, babe. Don't let this opportunity slip away, okay?" Lauren said. She tossed her trash into the bin and slid back to her desk to help a customer. Mia just stood there, momentarily speechless, lost in her thoughts.
Mia returned to her desk, but her mind wasn't on her work. She kept replaying Lauren's words, thinking about what it would mean if she gave him a chance. The thought lingered with her all day, weaving through her tasks and making it hard to focus. Finally, when the shop closed, she gathered her things and headed home, still lost in her thoughts.
At home Mia phone rang " rang, rang, rang" she picked the phone and and answer it, it was Marcus on the line
"Hi, it's me," Marcus said, his voice sharp and cold, like ice creeping over her skin.
"Hi… I… I saw you this morning, and I'm so sorry for the way I behaved," Mia said, her voice shaking slightly. She clutched the phone tightly, afraid he could hear her hesitation.
"It's okay," Marcus replied, his voice calm but distant. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me. But… it's fine." There was a pause, the faint sound of his breathing filling the line.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Knock, knock," the voice called from outside.
"A minute, please," Mia said quickly, holding the phone with one hand as she went to answer the door. She received the package from the dispatch rider, taking care not to let it interrupt the call too much.
Returning to the phone, she spoke quickly, "Yes, I went to receive an order from a dispatch rider."
Marcus's voice softened slightly. "I see."
Mia drew a slow breath, her mind still racing with thoughts of the morning, their conversation, and everything left unsaid. The city outside hummed with life, but in that moment, all that mattered was the fragile connection held across the phone line.
"Okay… can we meet tomorrow after work? I want us to talk, Mia. I like you." Marcus Said
Mia froze, the phone trembling slightly in her hand. Her heart thudded, but not entirely with excitement—there was a shadow of the past, a memory of a love that had left her broken.
"You… you like me?" she whispered, her voice tight, caught between hope and fear.
"Yes," Marcus said softly. "I've liked you for a while, and I just… I need us to talk about it."
Mia bit her lip, memories of past heartbreak flooding back. She wanted to believe him, to let herself feel something new, but the pain of her old love made her hesitate. Tomorrow after work felt so far away, yet she knew she couldn't ignore the possibility of what he was saying—or what it could mean for her future.
"Okay… see you tomorrow," she whispered, her voice barely audible, a mix of nervousness and cautious hope.
Light Fade.