Off-limits Series: Never Enough

Overwhelming

Elena P.O.V

The next morning, I woke up with a heavy heart. The events of the previous night played over and over in my mind, a whirlwind of emotions that left me feeling both drained and restless. I couldn't shake the image of Robert, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and regret, his words echoing in my head.

After a quick shower, I made my way to the kitchen. The house was quiet, and I was grateful for the solitude. I needed time to process everything, to try and make sense of the tangled web of emotions that had ensnared both Robert and me.

As I brewed a pot of coffee, I couldn't help but think back to my date with John. He had been kind and attentive, but I hadn't felt the spark I was hoping for. It wasn't fair to him, and it wasn't fair to me. I needed to give myself a chance to move on, but how could I do that when my heart was still so deeply entangled with Robert?

I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table, staring into the dark liquid as if it held the answers to my questions. The truth was, I was scared. Scared of letting go, scared of moving forward, scared of making the wrong choice.

Last night, when Robert had confessed his feelings for me, it had been both a balm and a wound. Hearing him say that he couldn't stop loving me had made my heart ache with longing, but it had also reminded me of the impossible situation we were in. He was married to my sister, and no matter how strong our connection was, we couldn't just ignore that fact.

I took a sip of my coffee, trying to steady my thoughts. Maybe I was right; maybe we did need to take it one day at a time. But even that seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Every day, I would have to see him, be near him, and pretend that my feelings were under control. It felt like an impossible task.

I glanced at the clock and realized I needed to get ready for work. My new restaurant, the one I had opened with Sky, was my pride and joy. It was a place where I could pour all my energy and passion, a place where I could forget about my complicated personal life, even if just for a few hours.

As I got dressed, I made a decision. I would focus on my work, on building something for myself. I would try to put some distance between me and Robert, to give myself the space I needed to heal. It wouldn't be easy, but it was the only way forward.

When I arrived at the restaurant, Sky was already there, bustling around the kitchen. She looked up and smiled when she saw me, but her smile quickly faded when she noticed the look on my face.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, just a rough night. But I'm here now, and I'm ready to work."

Sky studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk."

"Thanks, Sky," I said, feeling a surge of gratitude for my friend. "I appreciate it."

The day passed in a blur of activity. There were orders to fill, customers to greet, and a thousand little tasks that kept me busy. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fully shake the thoughts of Robert from my mind.

As evening approached, I found myself in the back office, going over the day's receipts. Sky poked her head in, a mischievous grin on her face.

"So," she said, leaning against the doorframe,

"How was your date with John?"

I sighed, setting down the papers I was reviewing. "It was... fine," I replied, echoing the word I had used earlier. "John's a nice guy, but I didn't feel a spark."

Sky raised an eyebrow.

"No spark? Are you sure it wasn't just nerves? Sometimes it takes a few dates for that to happen."

I shook my head. "No, it wasn't nerves. I just... I couldn't stop thinking about Robert."

Sky's expression softened, and she came over to sit beside me. “Elena, you know you can't keep holding on to Robert, right? He's married to your sister. You deserve to be happy, to find someone who can be with you completely."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words.

"I know, Sky. But it's not that easy. My feelings for him are so strong, and every time I try to move on, it's like he's right there, pulling me back."

Sky reached out and took my hand.

"I get it, girl. I really do. But you need to think about yourself and your future. Robert isn't available, and holding on to him is only going to hurt you more in the long run."

I squeezed her hand, grateful for her support. "You're right. I need to find a way to let go, to move on. But it's just so hard. He's the one who let me wait for him to come back asking me to move on after all those years.”

“I know” Sky nodded, with sadness eyes.

Silence covered us for a while before suddenly, Sky smiled encouragingly.

“Take it one step at a time. Focus on the restaurant, on your passions. The right person will come along when you least expect it. And who knows, maybe John just needs another chance."

I chuckled, feeling a bit lighter.

“Maybe. I'll think about it.”

Sky stood up, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Good. Now, let's get back to work. We have a restaurant to run, and customers to impress."

As she left the office, I took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of determination. I would take it one day at a time, focusing on my own happiness and future. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to navigate this complicated web of emotions and come out stronger on the other side.
I should never stop hopping.