A Number, Not a Name

In the Midnight Hour

1 month earlier:

Milena stared blankly ahead. She took another sip of her coffee, trying to wake herself up. The last few weeks had seemed like a blur. All she had wanted were answers. She never could have envisioned the path it would set her on. Some days she didn't have a doubt in her mind about the choice she'd made. Other days she'd question everything except her love for chess and cream brûlée. Everything had been much simpler before. Her life was set. At least that's what she'd thought. She'd continue to run her father's company. Eventually, take over for him. Most likely marry Lorenzo.

If there was anything she'd learned it was that nothing is certain. Inside she felt numb. Empty. The light had gone out of her eyes. It took her a moment to recognize the man who sat in the chair in front of her.

"Loren," she said flatly.

"Lena" he looked down at his hands. "It's been a while. You haven't returned any of my calls."

"I know." It was clear things were awkward. She stared down at her mug, trying to avoid his eyes.

Lorenzo continued, his voice shaky. "I...I handled things badly earlier. What I said about you having to move on from your father. I was callous. I didn't realize how much pain you were in. I'm sorry."

Milena held up her hand. "Lorenzo...we each didn't handle the situation as well as we could have.

Lorenzo took her hand in his. "I miss you. I've tried to give you space these past few weeks. But it seems every day we're drawing further and further apart."

"Lorenzo. You've been amazing to me. Everything a girl could dream of" she swallowed hard. "But right now I can't..." she trailed off. Deep down she knew what she had to do. Though somehow she hadn't been able to let go. Lorenzo was her only link to her life before. A life she was still struggling to say goodbye to.

Lorenzo found himself getting more nervous by the second as he had a feeling he knew what was coming. "Can't what?"

Milena sniffed "Can't be with you. I have some things I need to sort out. Things that need my full attention. I don't know if I'll ever..." she took a breath, "but I know it's something I have to do."

"I'm sure whatever it is we can take it on together."

Lorenzo brought his other hand to Milena's face. His eyes were large and luminous, shimmering with unshed tears. He gently stroked her cheek; her skin was smooth as silk.

Milena's eyes fell to his lips; longing seized her—how wonderful his lips would taste, it had been so long since they'd been pressed against her own—Her eyes looked up at him—she was drawn closer—closer.

Using all her strength, she resisted the urge. In a moment, all other feelings receded as all her attention was focused on fighting her overwhelming waves of emotion. "No, no." She shook her head. "This is something I have to do...alone. Trust me it's better this way."

"Trust you?"

"Yeah..."

"Milena...a few months ago we were talking about our future...possibly marriage, children."

"I know."

"Then why are you doing this?" His voice started to rise, the desperation evident.

She matched his tone. Her world had already crumbled, it didn't much matter she figured if her relationship with Lorenzo did as well. "I already told you."

"Yeah 'it's something I have to do.' But that's not an answer. It's not good enough for me. We've been together for over two years now and you expect me to just sit back and let you throw it away!"