part 2: Chapter 2: New Beginnings

I sat at the small kitchen table, the weight of the morning newspaper in my hands. The words blurred before my eyes as I stared at the open page, not really seeing the headlines but thinking about everything that had led me here. The loss of my café, the memories of long nights spent baking and serving coffee, the laughter of Ivy and Jasmine, who had stood by my side through it all—it all seemed like a lifetime ago.

The emptiness in my chest wasn’t new, but it had grown heavier with each passing day. I had been through so much, and yet, every day felt like a new challenge, a new hurdle to overcome.

My fingers traced the rim of my coffee cup absentmindedly, the bitterness a stark reminder of my current reality. Oh my God, I need to look for a new job now. My life isn't the same anymore, not like it was when I first lost the café.

The café had been my dream, a piece of my soul that I poured everything into. But it was gone, and I couldn’t keep mourning it forever. Slowly, I was learning to move forward. The first few weeks had been hard—lonely even—but now there was something almost freeing about not being tethered to the past.

I had always been a dreamer. I remembered my school days, always lost in my thoughts, imagining a life where I could create something of my own. College had been my escape from the small town I grew up in, a place where I could be whoever I wanted to be. I met friends there, some who became like family, and I learned so much about myself.

My mind wandered to those days, the carefree moments before life got complicated. I thought of Ivy and Jasmine, my closest friends from back then. They had been the ones who encouraged me to open the café in the first place, always cheering me on. They were there for me when things started to fall apart too, even if they hadn’t known how to help.

It’s strange how life works out. You meet people, you think they’ll be in your life forever, and then they fade away, leaving you with nothing but memories. Ivy had moved away after college to pursue her career in fashion, though she visited occasionally. Jasmine, on the other hand, stayed in town, but we hadn’t spoken much lately. Life had taken us in different directions, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever get the chance to reconnect with them.

My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a message from Sophie.

“Hey! Do you have anything doing this afternoon? I need a break from work!”

I smiled, the corners of my mouth lifting. Sophie. She had been there for me ever since the incident with Ethan and my dad. We met shortly after I lost the café, and our connection had been instant. Sophie was kind, fun, and unapologetically herself. She was the kind of friend I needed. I didn’t know what I’d do without her.

“Sounds perfect. I’ll meet you at the usual spot in an hour!”

After sending the message, I sighed and leaned back in my chair. Sophie had been a constant source of support, but there were still days when I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the loss—the café, the life I worked so hard to build, and the man who had been part of that dream.

Leo.

I hadn’t seen him in days. Not since the incident. He was there in the beginning, his presence a source of comfort and strength. I miss him. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like weeks, months even.

He was someone who understood me, who shared my dreams and helped me chase them.

My phone buzzed again, interrupting my thoughts. Could it be Leo? Oh my God, I just hope it’s him. My hands fumbled to open the message, but my excitement quickly faded—it was spam.

I groaned, tossing the phone aside. This isn’t Leo. Should I call or text him instead? No, I won’t. I don’t want to sound too desperate or attached. But I do miss him. Maybe I’ll just wait. If he doesn’t call, then I will.

I glanced at the time and jumped to my feet. Oh no! I almost forgot about my appointment with Sophie.

I hurriedly picked out my outfit: jeans paired with a white shirt and a coat, finishing the look with white sneakers. I packed my hair into a neat bun and stepped outside, flagging down a taxi.

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I arrived at the café a little early, letting the familiar smell of freshly baked cakes and pastries fill my senses. Sophie was already there, sitting at one of the window tables, a cup of tea in front of her. My heart warmed at the sight of her.

“Hey, you!” Sophie greeted with a bright smile. “I ordered your usual.”

I sat down across from her, grinning. “You’re the best.”

We spent the next hour talking about life, my struggles, and everything in between. The tension in my chest slowly eased as we laughed and shared stories. For a moment, I didn’t think about the past. I didn’t think about Leo or the café or the struggles that lay ahead. I just enjoyed the moment, my friendship with Sophie, and the simple joy of being in good company.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Lila?” Sophie asked, her tone serious now. “You’ve been so quiet lately. I can tell something’s on your mind. I hope you’re not still trapped in what happened the other day.”

I paused, staring at my cake. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly. “I’m okay. Really. It’s just... sometimes I wonder what’s next, you know? I’ve lost so much, but I can’t keep looking back.”

Sophie nodded. “It’s hard to let go of things. But you have to trust that new opportunities will come. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually.”

I smiled faintly. “I hope so.”

We sat there for a while longer, not needing to say much. In that moment, I felt something shift inside me. Maybe the road ahead wouldn’t be so dark after all. Maybe I could start over, rebuild, and find happiness again.

But for now, I would take it one step at a time.

As we finished our tea, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—movies, books, and Sophie’s latest escapades at work. She was a natural storyteller, weaving tales that had me laughing until my sides hurt.

“I swear, Lila, my boss has this ridiculous obsession with motivational quotes. Today, he walked into the office and said, ‘Dreams don’t work unless you do.’ And I’m like, sir, can I dream of a raise while working myself to the bone?” Sophie rolled her eyes dramatically, making me giggle.

“You’re lucky, though,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “At least you have a job where you can vent about your boss. I’m still trying to figure out what’s next.”

“You’ll get there,” Sophie said, her voice suddenly gentle. “You’re smart, hardworking, and you’ve got more resilience than anyone I know. Honestly, losing the café isn’t the end for you—it’s just a plot twist.”

“Plot twist?” I raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

“Yeah! Like in the books you used to read all the time. The heroine always goes through some messy chaos before finding her happy ending. This is just your messy middle, Lila.”

I smiled at her optimism, even though part of me struggled to believe it.

We stayed a little longer, the conversation winding down until Sophie glanced at her watch and sighed. “I need to head back. My ‘dream big’ boss is probably waiting to inspire us into exhaustion again.”

We both laughed as she stood to leave, and I felt a pang of sadness as I watched her walk away. Sophie always had a way of making me feel lighter, even on the hardest days.

I lingered at the café, sipping the last of my tea and letting my thoughts wander. My eyes drifted to the couples seated around me—laughter, smiles, and shared desserts. It reminded me of the days when Leo and I used to come here.

I closed my eyes briefly, the memory washing over me like a wave. He used to hold my hand across the table, his eyes filled with a warmth that made me believe in forever.

But I can't say forever yet, because it’s still early.

Just as I was about to leave, a deep, familiar voice startled me. “Lila?”

I turned, my heart skipping a beat.

Leo.

He stood there, looking as though he’d walked straight out of one of my dreams—or nightmares, depending on how I chose to feel at that moment. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and his usual confident demeanor seemed… different.

“Leo,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Can we talk?” he asked, his gaze searching mine.

I hesitated. A part of me wanted to act as if I wasn’t missing him, to protect my fragile heart from shutting. Another part—the part that still missed him—nodded.

“Okay,” I said softly.

We stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against my cheeks as we walked a short distance to a nearby park. The silence stretched between us, heavy and unspoken, until Leo finally stopped and turned to face me.

“Where have you been? I missed you so much. You didn’t even call me or text me, Lila. Why are you making me waver so much?” Leo’s words tumbled out in a rush, and I fought the urge to let my emotions spill over.

I tried to keep my composure. “Why didn’t you call me instead? Why didn’t you text me? I don’t think you missed me. If you did, you would have tried harder.”

“No, Lila, don’t get me wrong,” he said earnestly. “I’ve been busy, and the little time I had, I texted. I thought it went through, but it didn’t. Then I thought you were ignoring me. I’m so sorry, my love. I’ve missed you so much. You look good, by the way.”

His words caught me off guard, and despite myself, I smiled, a blush creeping across my cheeks. Unfortunately, he was in a hurry and had to leave for work.

His words made me waver even more. For weeks, I had replayed our last conversation in my head, wondering if I had been too harsh. But hearing him say this now made me feel so good.

When I got home, I sat on my bed and thought deeply. What else could I do in my spare time? What could earn me money? Then an idea came to me—why not share my café expertise? I could post tutorials on making the perfect latte, coffee, pancakes, and more. I could create aesthetic content on YouTube while also looking for a physical job.

The thought excited me. But it wasn’t just about having the idea—I needed a plan to implement it. I’d need some tools.

Before jumping in, I decided to discuss it with my friends. I picked up my phone and texted Ivy.

Girl, where have you been? Jasmine told me the café shut down. What happened? What happened to Ethan? What happened to Leo?

I sighed before replying. Calm down a little, girl. It’s a very long story. We’ll need to meet to talk about it.

But Ivy couldn’t resist. Leo? You guys are still good? Are you in love?

I hesitated before typing. I don’t know if it’s love, but I miss him every day. I feel something in my stomach whenever I think of him.

Bubbles! Ivy texted back with excitement. Those are bubbles, girl. You’re in love. Awwn, that’s so sweet. But what about his ex? How did you deal with her?

I laughed softly to myself. Girl, I don’t even remember much about her anymore. I’ll tell you everything later.

I continued. But Ivy, I didn’t call just to talk about Leo. You’re the only one I can ask for advice. I’ve been looking for a job but haven’t found one yet. So, I thought of starting content creation—sharing tutorials on café life and maybe even aesthetics. What do you think?

Ivy’s reply came instantly. OMG, Lila, that’s such a brainstorming idea! You should definitely do it.

I don’t have the tools yet, I admitted. But I’ll get them soon.

With Ivy’s encouragement, I felt a surge of determination. This could be the start of something new—a way to channel my passion while building a future for myself.

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