Chapter 5 5

She had left Aria's apartment that day with more questions than answers, her heart still tangled in knots. The conversation had been honest, raw, and painful, but it hadn't brought the clarity she was desperately seeking. Aria had apologized, but Lena wasn't sure if words could fix what had been broken between them. The weight of the past still hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Even after hearing Aria's words, Lena couldn't bring herself to fully trust her again-not yet. And maybe she never would.

That night, she had texted Adonis, telling him everything that had happened, all the unresolved emotions that seemed to swirl endlessly in her mind. She had hoped for advice, for something to make her feel less like she was lost at sea.

But Adonis didn't give advice. He didn't try to fix her. Instead, he offered exactly what she needed: understanding.

"Take your time. It's not about what she wants-it's about what you need. And I'll be here when you're ready to figure it out."

Those words had stayed with her, helping her make sense of everything. It was okay not to have the answers right away. It was okay to take time for herself before making any decisions about Aria or anything else in her life.

The following weekend, Lena found herself back in the library, her favorite place to escape her thoughts. It was quiet here, the kind of silence that encouraged deep reflection, the kind that allowed her to think without interruption.

She had decided to work on her writing again, trying to get back into the rhythm of things. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but it felt like the right step. Her novel had been sitting in a half-finished state for far too long, and if there was one thing Lena knew about herself, it was that writing was her refuge.

As she settled into her usual corner, she unpacked her laptop and opened up the document. The words she'd written before all the chaos felt distant, like they belonged to someone else. But there was something comforting about it too-seeing the story that had once consumed her come to life once again.

She barely noticed when someone slid into the seat across from her.

"Mind if I sit?"

Lena looked up, startled for a moment, but then she saw him- Adonis, with his usual calm demeanor and that warm, knowing smile. He had that effect on her. She didn't need to say anything. She could just exist in the quiet company of his presence.

"Of course not," she replied, her voice softer than she intended.

He set down a coffee cup between them, its warm steam curling upward. "I thought you might need this."

She smiled faintly, grateful for the gesture. Adonis had a way of knowing exactly when she needed something- a small kindness, a quiet moment. He was her anchor, and in this sea of uncertainty, she clung to that feeling.

"Thank you," she said, wrapping her hands around the cup and enjoying the warmth.

They both sat in silence for a moment, Lena focusing on the screen in front of her, Adonis simply watching her as if waiting for her to speak. It was the same patience he always had, the same unspoken understanding that she didn't need to explain everything.

Finally, Lena sighed and closed the laptop, her fingers lingering on the keyboard. "I don't know what to do with all of this," she murmured.

Adonis leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm. "With Aria?"

She nodded, her eyes casting down at her hands. "Yeah. I keep thinking about everything she said. And I want to believe her. I want to believe she's changed. But then... I remember how much she hurt me. How much she took away."

Adonis stayed quiet for a long moment, and when he spoke again, his words were measured. "You can't just forget how it felt, Lena. You're not supposed to. But you also don't have to carry that anger with you forever. Not for her. For yourself."

Lena bit her lip, chewing over his words. "I'm scared," she admitted quietly. "Scared that if I forgive her, I'll lose myself. That all of this-everything I've been working for-will fall apart."

Adonis shook his head, his eyes unwavering. "Forgiving her isn't about letting go of yourself. It's about giving yourself the freedom to move forward. To heal. But you don't have to do that now. Take your time."

Lena smiled, her heart warmed by his unwavering support. "Thank you, Adonis. For... everything."

He nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You don't have to thank me, Lena. I'm here because I want to be. You don't need to carry everything alone."

Her chest tightened at the sincerity in his words. There was so much she wanted to say to him, to ask him- so much she wanted to understand about her own feelings, her future, and the space that Adonis seemed to occupy in her life. But she didn't know how to put it all into words. Not yet.

Instead, she just leaned back in her chair, taking a long sip of coffee, and let herself feel the calmness of the moment. She wasn't alone, and for now, that was enough.

The following week, Lena had settled into a new routine.

She spent her days at the library, working on her novel and keeping her mind focused on her writing. Every so often, Adonis would show up with coffee or a snack, and they would sit in comfortable silence. But despite the tranquility of her daily life, Lena's thoughts kept returning to Aria and the conversation they'd had.

Aria had texted a few times, asking to meet again, but Lena hadn't replied. She wasn't ready. The wounds were still too fresh, the betrayal too raw.

But when Aria showed up at BrewLab, Lena didn't know how to avoid her.

"Lena," Aria said, stepping forward, her eyes pleading. "I know you've been avoiding me. But I need you to hear me out. I'm not asking for everything to be okay again. I just want you to know that I'm sorry. And I'll wait, however long it takes, for you to decide what you need."

Lena stared at her for a long moment, feeling the weight of everything between them. It was the most honest thing Aria had said since she returned, and yet, Lena's heart was still heavy.

"I don't know what I need," Lena said softly. "But I know I can't rush into anything."

Aria nodded, her shoulders slumping with a mix of relief and sadness. "I'll be here when you're ready."

And with that, she left, giving Lena the space she had been asking for all along.

As Lena sat back down, her phone buzzed once more. It was a message from Adonis.

"Take your time, Lena. Don't rush. You'll know when the time is right."

Lena stared at the words for a moment before replying.

"Thank you. I think I'm starting to understand."

And with that, Lena felt a weight lift from her shoulders. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could breathe.

She'd found a semblance of peace, thanks to the space she had created between herself and Aria. But the absence of confrontation didn't erase the unresolved emotions. There was still a storm brewing inside her-an undercurrent of fear, uncertainty, and guilt. She had made the decision to take her time, but the weight of what had been left unsaid between her and Aria still tugged at her.

She spent most of her hours at the library, her favorite escape. Writing helped her clear her mind, even if her characters weren't always cooperating. Every time she sat down to write, her thoughts wandered back to Adonis and the way his presence calmed her, how his steady, patient gaze made her feel like everything was possible. It wasn't just that he was there for her. It was the way he understood her, even without the need for words. He didn't try to fix her-he simply allowed her to be herself, flaws and all.

Lena's feelings toward him had deepened, and she couldn't ignore it anymore. It wasn't just his kindness or the way he made her feel heard. There was something more. Something she wasn't sure how to define.

As she closed her laptop for the day, she took a deep breath and picked up her phone, unlocking it to scroll through the messages. She hadn't replied to Aria's last text, but she had one new message from Adonis.

"You still free tonight? I was thinking about checking out that new restaurant you mentioned. It could be a good distraction."

Lena hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure if she was ready for a distraction or if she needed to talk about everything weighing on her heart. But the thought of seeing Adonis, of spending time with him outside the confines of the library, felt like exactly what she needed.

"Sure. I'd love to. What time?"

She hit send, feeling a bit lighter already.

Later that evening, Lena arrived at the restaurant Adonis had suggested. It was an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere, with soft lighting and an ambiance that invited conversation. She found him at a corner table, his tall frame leaning against the chair as he looked up from his phone with a smile that felt like a breath of fresh air.

"You made it," he said, standing up to greet her.

"I wouldn't miss it," Lena replied, offering him a smile of her own. The nervousness that had been gnawing at her earlier melted away in his presence. She pulled out the chair across from him and sat down.

Adonis studied her for a moment, his gaze both warm and discerning. "You look like you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. You okay?"

Lena shrugged, folding her hands on the table as she glanced away for a second. "I'm getting there."

His expression softened, and he nodded. "I get that. Take all the time you need."

They ordered their food, and the conversation flowed easily between them-nothing too heavy, nothing too forced. It was the kind of easy, natural connection that Lena had come to appreciate with him. Adonis didn't push for her to open up. He didn't make her feel like she had to fill the silence with something profound. And for that, she was grateful.

But as the night wore on, the weight of her earlier conversation with Aria started to creep back in. She wanted to talk about it, to tell Adonis everything that had been churning in her mind. But was it the right time?

Adonis seemed to sense the shift in her mood. He set down his fork and gave her a gentle, knowing look. "What's going on in that head of yours, Lena?"

She hesitated, her thoughts tangled. "I'm just... trying to figure things out," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to fix things with Aria. I'm not sure I can."

Adonis leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edge of his glass thoughtfully. "You don't have to fix everything, Lena. Sometimes, it's just about finding peace with it all-letting go of what's holding you back."

Lena shook her head. "But I don't want to let go of our friendship, Adonis. I don't want to lose her, even if everything feels... broken right now."

Adonis met her gaze, his expression quiet but steady. "I think what you're trying to do is brave. You're facing the things that scare you, Lena. But you don't have to carry all of that on your own. Sometimes, things aren't meant to be fixed. Sometimes, they're meant to be healed."

Lena's heart fluttered at his words. There was something about him, the way he spoke-so calm and certain-that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could figure out how to heal the rift between her and Aria. It wasn't about fixing it all at once. It was about taking small steps.

"Thanks," Lena whispered, her eyes softening. "You always know exactly what to say."

Adonis smiled, his eyes warm with sincerity. "I just know that you're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

The evening ended too soon, with Lena feeling lighter than she had in days. It was as though the conversation had unlocked something within her-an acceptance of her own uncertainty, an understanding that healing didn't require immediate answers, and that it was okay to not have everything figured out.

As they walked out of the restaurant together, Adonis turned to her, his hands casually slipping into his jacket pockets.

"You ever think about what comes next?" he asked.

Lena paused for a moment, the cool night air brushing her skin. She looked up at the stars, then back at him. "I think about it a lot. But I'm learning not to rush it. Life's too short for that."

Adonis gave her a small, knowing smile. "Wise words."

Lena chuckled softly, feeling the lightness of his company. "Maybe I'm starting to get there."

Adonis fell into step beside her as they walked down the street, the city lights casting shadows around them. It wasn't perfect, and the road ahead wasn't clear. But with Adonis beside her, Lena felt like maybe, just maybe, she could navigate the uncertainty and find the peace she had been craving for so long.