As the next workday dawned at the office, Sam couldn't shake the feeling of unease as she noticed Mon's absence. Concern etched lines of worry on her brow as she approached Yha, seeking answers.
"Have you seen Mon today?" Sam asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Yha nodded solemnly, her expression mirroring Sam's worry. "Mon filed a two-week leave for personal reasons," she explained gently.
Sam's concern deepened at the news, her mind racing with questions. She tried reaching out to Mon, her fingers tapping anxiously on her phone as she attempted to call and message her friend, but each attempt went unanswered.
A sense of helplessness washed over Sam as she grappled with the uncertainty surrounding Mon's absence. With each unanswered call, her worry mounted, leaving her desperate for any sign of her friend's well-being.
Fearing the worst, Sam's trembling fingers dialed Jim's number, her heart pounding with anxiety as she waited for her friend to pick up. When Jim finally answered, Sam wasted no time in explaining the situation, her voice fraught with fear and concern.
"Jim, I need your help," Sam pleaded, her voice shaking with emotion. "I can't reach Mon, and I'm really worried. Can you please try to contact her?"
Jim's heart clenched at the desperation in Sam's voice, her own worry mounting as she listened to her friend's plea. Knowing the gravity of the situation, she immediately agreed to help, her voice steady with determination.
"I'll do everything I can, Sam," Jim assured her, her tone filled with resolve. "I'll contact Mon and let you know as soon as I have an update."
With a grateful sigh, Sam thanked Jim for her assistance, feeling a glimmer of hope amid the darkness of her worry. As she ended the call, she prayed for Mon's safety, trusting in Jim's promise to provide her with any news as soon as possible.
As Mon entered the cafe, her eyes searched the room until she spotted Jim and Kade waving at her from a corner table. With a heavy heart, she made her way over to them, her steps hesitant as she approached.
Jim's warm smile offered a glimmer of reassurance as Mon took a seat opposite them. Kade's kind gesture in offering her a seat brought a small measure of comfort as she settled in, her eyes betraying the turmoil of emotions within her.
"How are you, Mon?" Kade asked gently, her voice filled with genuine concern as she met Mon's gaze.
As Mon settled into her seat, her weak smile barely masking the storm of emotions raging within her, she nodded at Kade's question, confirming her condition.
Jim's gentle voice carried a note of concern as she spoke, "We heard you're not speaking to Sam since the wedding. Sam's really worried about you."
Kade chimed in, her expression mirroring Jim's concern. "We also heard you took a long leave from work."
Jim's brow furrowed with worry as she broached the delicate topic, "Is this about what Kirk did at the wedding?"
Jim's concern softened as Mon's smirk and chuckle eased some of the tension in the air. "You definitely know what Sam's answer to Kirk's proposal would be. Sam wouldn't do that to you again," Jim reassured, her voice laced with conviction.
Mon nodded in agreement, her chuckle fading into a thoughtful expression. "I know," she replied, her tone tinged with resignation. "However, that proposal brought back memories of their wedding, three years ago."
With a heavy heart, Mon continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's like everything came back to me. The memories, the pain, the amger... everything."
Jim nodded empathetically, her expression reflecting understanding. "I understand, but I wish you could talk to Sam," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion.
Mon sighed deeply, the weight of her emotions palpable. "I'm just not ready to face Sam yet," she admitted, her voice tinged with reluctance. The wounds of the past still raw and tender, she knew that healing would take time, and she needed to navigate her own emotions before she could confront Sam.
Jim and Kade exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with empathy for Mon's pain. They understood her refusal to confront Sam and respected her decision.
As Mon rose to leave, her words hung in the air, leaving an unspoken tension in their wake. Jim's gaze followed Mon as she made her way out of the cafe, a sense of helplessness washing over her.
Turning to the person sitting behind her, Jim's voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, "You heard Mon, right?" Her words carried a note of concern, a silent plea for understanding as they grappled with the weight of their friend's pain.
Jim leaned in closer to the person sitting behind her, her voice tinged with urgency as she spoke. "Give Mon space and time," she explained quietly. "Mon's past with 'you' is still a trauma for her."
Sam's voice cut through the air, her tone fraught with frustration and hurt as she addressed Jim's explanation. "This is unfair," she protested, her words tinged with disbelief. "I didn't do anything wrong this time."
Her heart heavy with the weight of misunderstanding, Sam struggled to reconcile the perception of her actions with the reality of her intentions. Despite their carefully laid plans to remain incognito to Mon, the pain of being misunderstood gnawed at her.
Jim's heart ached at Sam's words, knowing the depth of her friend's anguish. She reached out a comforting hand, her voice gentle as she replied, "I know, Sam. But right now, what Mon needs most is space and understanding."
In that moment of shared vulnerability, Jim hoped that Sam would find solace in the knowledge that, despite the challenges they faced, their friendship remained steadfast and unwavering.
Jim's voice was gentle yet firm as she offered her perspective to Sam. "Right now, maybe it's the right time for you to focus on fixing yourself," she suggested, her words carrying a note of encouragement. "What do you truly want for yourself, Sam? Do you want to be free from the life you have now?"
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "You need to think about what will make you feel better," Jim advised, her tone filled with empathy. "This might be an opportunity for self-reflection and growth, to find the path that brings you peace and fulfillment."
With a supportive squeeze of her hand, Jim silently conveyed her belief in Sam's ability to navigate the challenges ahead and emerge stronger from the storm.
Sam's determination surged within her as she nodded in agreement with Jim's words. "You're right," she affirmed, her voice filled with newfound resolve. "I need to fix myself, not just for myself, but for Mon too."
Her commitment to self-improvement and healing burned brightly in her heart as she acknowledged the importance of her own well-being and its impact on her relationship with Mon. With Jim's unwavering support by her side, Sam felt emboldened to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, determined to mend the fractures within herself and rebuild the trust she had lost.
With a grateful smile, Sam expressed her gratitude to Jim for her guidance and understanding, knowing that her friend would be there every step of the way as she embarked on this transformative journey toward healing and reconciliation.
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FanfictionSam and Mon were high school lovers who were destined to fight for their love despite of legal constraints after they have been separated for 7 years.
