Imprisoned Love 2

Epilogue

Jade's POV:

I focus on the ground as I make my way through the crowds and heaps of people, my dark sunglasses barely shielding my eyes from the flashes of their cameras, and my ears ringing from the shouts and screams of the undistinguishable voices.

I'm a private person. I always have been and I'd like to think I always will be. And I love my job, I really do. But this whole invasion of privacy sure is one of the worst quirks of directing in L.A. All the demands for me to smile for a picture, all the fake laughs to make myself seem pleasant, all the people pleasing and fake acting..

It's not me.

I finally make it to the coffee shop in one piece, breathing out a sigh of relief as I eagerly take off my large sunglasses once I'm inside the local safe haven, politely nodding at the waitress who nods back knowingly, already knowing my order without having to hear me say it aloud.

Making my way towards my usual back corner in the colloquial-ish café, I try but fail to ignore the burning stares I receive, cursing myself for not having arrived sooner, when there's less people around. It's not like this is my first time here. They already know who I am. Especially since hearing the recent news..

I lazily plop down onto the leathered chair in the secluded corner, setting my sunglasses on the table and placing my coat aside, no longer being bombarded by the cold air. My name in bold on a magazine catches my eye, mocking me as it carelessly hangs opposite me on the table cloth, already having its purpose fulfilled as it informs the entire world:

I'm a failure.

I shake my thoughts away as soon as they begin to spiral. The whole point of me leaving my house was to forget about it. Not enhance the dread.

"Thank you." I nod at the waitress, hurriedly handing her the money for the coffee before taking out my phone to indicate that I'm not in the mood for our usual small talk. Luckily, she catches onto that fact before responding with a cordial tone, then walking off to serve another customer.

The rich taste of coffee hits the tip of my tongue, scalding it with its hotness before gliding down the back of my throat, leaving its soothing trail behind. I close my eyes in a moment of peace. It's been a while since I've had coffee. It's also been a while since I've felt any form of peace. So I try savoring it for as long as I can before I'm back to facing the harsh realities of the world.

My fingers absentmindedly fumble across my phone screen, opening my messages as I continue to tenderly sip at my coffee, letting it warm the palm of my hands in a comforting embrace.

Alex: Mornin' sunshine, hope you have a nice day today :) xx

I stare at the text for a little longer than necessary. As if forcing my heart to flutter at the sincerity and niceness of her words. But instead, all I get is nothing. No butterflies. No cheeriness. Not even a single twitch of my lip.

Why can't I feel it anymore? The feeling I felt when I first met her. The feeling I felt when I first kissed her. The feeling I felt every single time I saw her name pop up on my screen.

Nothing's changed. At least I don't think it has. She's still her same chirpy self. I'm still my same grouchy yet caring self. And we're still going strong despite the little obstacles that obstructed our path. So why am I still not satisfied? What do I have to do to restore those sparks?

Me: Thanks, you too x

I abruptly shut the phone off after typing out about ten different replies only to settle with a simple, boring response. Subconsciously, I know I'm still being watched by the papz who all wait outside with their stupid cameras and stupid questions, but instead of dwelling on that thought for too long, I try to focus on the people around me instead.