Chapter 5 Space in between

Chapter 5: The Space in Between

Jake's POV

Sebastian dialed Valerie's number while I sat frozen, my breath caught in my throat. The phone rang, each chime tightening the knot in my chest. My palms were slick with sweat, heart pounding like a war drum. I couldn't tell if I was nervous, hopeful, or just terrified.

Just as I was about to give up, I heard her voice-soft, cautious.

"Hello?"

Sebastian handed me the phone. I took a breath, steadying the tremor in my chest. "Valerie. It's me... Jake."

There was a pause. A long one. For a second, I thought she might hang up.

"Jake? Where have you been?" she asked, her voice layered with confusion and a hint of hurt. "I've been trying to reach you for weeks."

I closed my eyes, a wave of guilt and relief crashing over me. "I know. I'm sorry. I should have called- things-things got complicated. My mom called me back home. My dad's business-there's been a lot going on. I've been asked to take over."

"Jake..." Her voice softened, cautious. "I'm sorry about all that. I really am. But why didn't you tell me? You just vanished. I didn't know if you were okay, or if something had happened."

"I was overwhelmed, Val. Everything came down on me at once, and I didn't handle it well. But I'm back now. And I want to make things right. Can we meet? Please."

Another pause.

"Okay," she said at last, quietly. "But... I have something to tell you, too. And it's not easy."

My heartbeat faltered.

"I'm listening," I said gently. "What is it?"

Silence.

"Valerie?"

Still nothing-then a soft thud. The call had disconnected.

Panic seized me. I immediately typed out a message and sent her the address of a small café nearby. Please come. We need to talk. I waited, watching the screen like it might offer reassurance.

---

Valerie's POV;

The next day ;

I cupped my hands around the warm tea, letting the steam brush against my cheeks as I sat quietly in the café Jake had chosen. I had arrived early, too anxious to wait at home. Every time the door opened, my heart jumped.

I sipped slowly, trying to calm the whirlwind inside me. The café buzzed softly with quiet chatter and the clink of cutlery, but I barely heard any of it. My eyes were fixed on the entrance, willing him to walk through it.

Minutes passed. Then more. I checked my phone again. No messages. No missed calls.

I dialed his number, hands trembling. The line rang. Voicemail. Again. I left a message, trying to sound composed, but my voice cracked halfway through.

As time slipped by, the café slowly emptied. The soft hum of jazz faded into something more upbeat-cheerful, unbothered, almost mocking. I forced myself to something- steak- drink- hoping- hoping food would distract me.

But each bite tasted like ash, each sip like disappointment.

I kept glancing toward the door. Faces came and went, none of them were his. Eventually, I stopped pretending and just stared blankly at the entrance, waiting. Hoping. Hurting.

When the staff began clearing tables, I knew it was time to go. I gathered my things and stepped out into the night, the cool breeze brushing my skin like a distant comfort. The scent of night-blooming jasmine filled the air, but even its sweetness couldn't mask the heaviness inside me.

I walked slowly, aimlessly, lost in thought. The lights of my apartment building finally came into view, and a sense of dull relief settled over me.

But as I reached the front door, I hesitated. Something felt off-not physically, but deep inside me. Like the earth had shifted beneath my feet, and I was only just noticing the imbalance.

I opened the door quietly, stepping into the dim hallway. Silence wrapped around me like a cold sheet. I dropped my bag on the couch and sat down, utterly drained, and then my phone rang.

It sat on the coffee table, screen glowing.

I lunged for it, heart racing. Jake. It had to be Jake.

"Hello?" My voice cracked with emotion-part hope, part fear.

But the voice on the other end wasn't his.

"Baby?" came the soft, familiar tone of my father. Concern layered his voice like a balm and a blade.

My breath caught.

He wasn't the person I expected-but maybe he was the one I needed right now.