Wedcuffed

Chapter 54

Sarah's POV

The warm sunlight filters through the café window, casting a soft glow on the table where I sit, nursing a cup of coffee. The days since my last conversation with Adrian have been a whirlwind of emotions, and I'm still trying to process everything. The doubts he planted in my mind have been gnawing at me, but I'm determined not to let them control my actions. I need to focus on my relationship with Alessandro, to understand him better and address the issues that have been growing between us.

My phone buzzes with a message from Alessandro, reminding me of our dinner plans for tonight. I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe this evening will help us reconnect, clear the air, and bring us closer. It's been too long since we had an honest conversation about our feelings and where we stand.

I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering doubts. Adrian's words are still echoing in my mind, but I know that if I let them dominate my thoughts, I'll be doing both myself and Alessandro a disservice. I have to give our relationship a fair chance, to address the concerns directly with him rather than letting suspicions fester.

Later that evening, as I prepare for dinner, I pick out an outfit that feels both comfortable and confident. I want to make sure Alessandro sees that I'm serious about working things out. When I arrive at the restaurant, I spot him at a corner table, looking out of place in his usual well-tailored suit, his expression a mix of anticipation and unease.

"Hey," I say as I approach, offering a warm smile despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

He stands to greet me, and I can see the tension in his posture ease slightly as he takes my hand. "Hey, Sarah. You look great."

"Thanks," I reply, settling into my seat. "You do too."

We exchange small talk as we peruse the menu, but I can tell that Alessandro is preoccupied. It's not like him to be so distracted. I'm determined to break through the surface-level conversation and get to the heart of what's been bothering us.

"So," I begin, trying to keep my tone light, "how's work been lately? You seem a bit off."

He hesitates, and for a moment, I wonder if I've overstepped. But then he sighs and looks at me with a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. "It's been busy. You know how it is. But that's not what's been on my mind."

I nod, encouraging him to continue. "What's been bothering you, then?"

He takes a deep breath, clearly wrestling with his words. "I've been feeling like we're not on the same page. Like there's this distance between us that I can't quite bridge. I want us to be honest with each other, but I don't know how to break through."

My heart sinks a little at his admission. It's exactly what I've been feeling too, but hearing it from him makes it all the more real. I reach across the table and take his hand, trying to offer a sense of reassurance. "I've been feeling the same way. I think we've both been avoiding the real issues, and it's causing more harm than good."

Alessandro nods, squeezing my hand gently. "I know. I just... I want us to be honest with each other. To talk about what's going on and how we can fix it."

"I agree," I say, feeling a surge of relief. "We need to have a real conversation about our feelings and what we both want from this relationship."

As the evening progresses, we talk openly about our concerns, fears, and hopes for the future. Alessandro admits that he's been struggling with some personal issues that have affected his ability to be fully present in our relationship. He explains that he's been trying to protect me from his problems, not realizing that his distance was pushing me away.