all the what could've been

CHAPTER X

Life after summer vacation had taken us in different directions, both of us caught up in the whirlwind of our new careers. Lucas had joined his family's company, working alongside his father, while I had taken a position at my parents' firm. The demands of our jobs made it hard to find time for each other, but we always made the effort to catch up whenever we could. The occasional phone call or text was no substitute for our long, heart-to-heart conversations.

Tonight, however, we had finally managed to spare a few hours for each other.

We decided to meet at our favorite café, the one we used to frequent during our college days. It was a cozy spot with warm lighting and a comforting atmosphere, perfect for reminiscing and catching up. Lucas arrived first, looking as polished as ever in his business attire, though the dark circles under his eyes betrayed the stress he was under.

"Cali, it's so good to see you," he said, standing up to give me a hug as I approached our table.

"It's great to see you too, Lucas. I've missed this," I replied, squeezing him tightly before sitting down.

"I've missed you."

"Me too," he agreed, gesturing for me to sit.

We ordered our usual drinks and settled in.

"How's everything been going?" he asked. I sighed, feeling a mix of excitement and exhaustion.

"Work has been crazy, but I'm really enjoying it. My parents have been incredibly supportive and helpful. It's like I'm learning something new every day." I answered with a smile

"That's awesome to hear," Lucas said, genuinely pleased. "I knew you'd be great at it. Your parents must be so proud." Smiling while staring at me intently

"They are," I smiled. "But enough about me. How's everything with you? How's the family business treating you?" Lucas leaned back, running a hand through his hair.

"It's been a rollercoaster, to be honest. The work itself is interesting, but dealing with people can be exhausting. Especially my dad's secretary. She's been driving me nuts lately." I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh? What's going on with her?" I asked.

"She has been making these ridiculous flirtatious advances. It's so unprofessional and honestly just plain annoying." He frowned.

"That sounds like a nightmare. You should report her if it's really bothering you." I said, shaking my head.

"I'm considering it," he said, rubbing his temples. "But you know how complicated it gets with family businesses." Uneasiness displayed on his face.

"True," I agreed.

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, as it always did. We shared stories from our workplaces, laughed about old memories, and simply enjoyed each other's company. It felt like a momentary escape from the chaos of our busy lives.

"How I wish I could freeze the time whenever I'm with you, Lucas."

As we were laughing about an old college prank, a voice interrupted us.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is." I looked up to see Andrea, Lucas's ex-girlfriend, standing by our table. Her eyes were blazing with a mix of jealousy and anger.

"Andrea, what are you doing here?" Lucas asked, his tone guarded.

"I was just passing by and couldn't help but notice you two together," Andrea said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You always seem to be with her, don't you, Lucas?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.