Tracy's POV
Mrs. Callahan always had a way of making me feel… safe.
Her little living room smelled faintly of lavender and old books, and when she smiled at me from her chair, I felt the tightness in my chest ease for the first time all week.
"So," she said, pouring tea into my cup with that careful, steady hand of hers, "how is the new job treating you?"
I sighed, leaning back on the couch, my fingers curling around the warm porcelain. "It is good. Busy. Different from what I am used to, but in a good way."
Her eyes twinkled. "Busy is better than idle. But I can tell by your face there is more to it than just busy."
I laughed softly. She knew me too well. "It is… complicated. The people are kind, mostly. My boss is fair. But the CEO…" I paused, unsure how much to say. "He is… intimidating."
"Intimidating?" She arched a brow. "Or distracting?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I nearly choked on my tea. "Mrs. Callahan!"
She chuckled, patting my hand. "Child, do not look so scandalized. I was your age once. I know how these things go."
I shook my head, but I could not quite hide the small smile tugging at my lips. "He is not— I mean, it is not like that. He is just… hard to read. One moment he is polite, the next he is cold. And I can not tell if I annoy him or if he just doesn't care I exist."
Mrs. Callahan tilted her head, studying me the way only she could. "And yet, you are thinking about him enough to sit here and tell me this."
Her words hit too close. I lowered my gaze to the steam rising from my cup.
"It's not just him," I whispered. "There's… Nathan. My boss. He is kind, supportive. He looks at me in a way that feels… safe. Like I matter."
Mrs. Callahan nodded, her expression gentle. "And which one makes your heart quieter, and which one makes it restless?"
The question settled heavily in the air.
I did not answer right away. Maybe because I didn't know the answer myself. Or maybe because I was afraid of what it would reveal. I had just closed a chapter of my one. One full of scars, hurts, regrets and pain. Was I ready to fully accept another chapter? Whilst not knowing how it will end?
Mrs. Callahan squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, Tracy, do not lose yourself in trying to be what someone else wants. You have been through enough. Let this new chapter be yours."
I nodded, the weight in my chest loosening a little. "Thank you. Really."
She smiled knowingly. "You will figure it out, dear. The heart always speaks louder than we want it to."
---
Aaron's POV
The day had dragged on longer than usual, and by the time I left the office, the sun had already started to dip, staining the sky in shades of amber and gold. I stopped by the small convenience store across the street to grab a few things — coffee pods, bread, something quick for dinner. My head was heavy with numbers and reports, the usual mess of a long day.
Stepping out, I did not expect to run into anyone — much less him.
It happened just as I turned the corner, juggling my paper bag and phone. Someone bumped into me, the bag nearly slipping from my hand.
"Oh, I'm so sorry " I said quickly, steadying myself.
The man stepped back, a familiar smile flickering across his face. "You again?"
For a heartbeat, I froze.
Daniel.
He was standing there, dressed casually — a dark jacket over a gray shirt, jeans that somehow looked like they belonged on a magazine cover. His smile carried the same warmth I remembered from Cole's hallway — easy, kind, disarming.
"I knew I recognized you." he said, chuckling. "You are the one who almost spilled coffee on me at Ethan's office, right?"
I swallowed hard, trying not to look as flustered as I felt. "Yeah." I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "That was me. I guess I have a talent for bumping into people at the worst times."
Daniel laughed softly. "Or maybe we're just bound to keep meeting like this."
His tone was light, teasing, but something in it made my chest tighten. I had spent weeks — thinking about that one brief encounter. The way his voice had sounded, the curve of his smile, how effortlessly he seemed to carry himself. I'd thought I'd never see him soon.
And yet here he was.
"Do you… come around here often?" I asked before realizing how cliché that sounded. I immediately regretted it.
He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that your line, or are you actually asking?"
Heat rushed to my face. "Actually asking."
He smiled, clearly entertained. "I was just grabbing a few things nearby. My company's got a branch not far from here. You?"
"Just got off work."
"Right, you work with Ethan."
The fact that he remembered even that made my heart stumble. "Yeah, finance department."
"Finance." he repeated thoughtfully. "Explains the serious face. You looked pretty focused that day — I didn't want to disturb you."
"You could have." I said before I could stop myself. "I wouldn't have minded."
He looked at me then — really looked. His expression softened, eyes glinting in the evening light. "Noted."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The street buzzed softly around us — cars humming by, the faint smell of fried food from a nearby stall. It felt strangely peaceful, like time had slowed down just enough to notice the details.
"I am Daniel, by the way." he said, though we both knew he did not have to introduce himself.
"I know." I said quickly, then stammered, "I mean — I remember. Aaron."
"Aaron " he repeated, as if testing how it sounded. "It's nice to meet you."
Something about the way he said it — warm, sincere — made my chest feel too small for my heart.
He checked his watch and sighed. "I should get going. Got a late dinner meeting."
"Right." I said, trying not to sound disappointed.
He smiled again, taking a step back. "Try not to bump into anyone else on your way home, alright?"
I grinned faintly. "No promises."
He laughed, that same deep, genuine laugh that made my stomach flip, and started to walk away.
And just like that, he was gone — swallowed by the evening crowd.
I stood there for a while, watching where he'd gone, my pulse still racing like I'd just run a marathon. It was ridiculous — one small conversation and I was already smiling like a fool.
But as I walked home, replaying every word in my head, I could not help but think maybe — just maybe — fate wasn't done with us yet.
.