Code of the Hearts

Chapter 7: The Quiet Distance

The days after Jake's visit to London passed in a blur for Emily. Despite their conversation at the café, the unresolved feelings between them only seemed to deepen. Emily had wanted clarity, but all she'd found was more confusion. And in her heart, she knew that the growing distance between them wasn't just physical—it was emotional too.

To cope with the overwhelming uncertainty, Emily did what she had always done when things got too complicated: she buried herself in work. Her role at DataVision's London office expanded quickly as she volunteered for every project she could get her hands on. She worked late into the night, her flat becoming little more than a place to sleep and shower. The office was her escape, and the constant demands of her job were a welcome distraction from the turmoil in her heart.

Jake, on the other hand, found himself increasingly on the outside of Emily's life. After their conversation, he had hoped they would start working through things together, but instead, it felt like she was pulling away even more. Every attempt to reach out was met with brief, distracted responses or, more often, silence.

"Jake, you've got to give her some space," Lucas advised one evening over drinks. They were sitting at a dimly lit bar in New York, the noise of the city a comforting hum in the background. "She's dealing with a lot right now. Maybe she just needs time to figure things out."

Jake stared into his drink, frustration and hurt evident on his face. "But how much space is too much, Lucas? I'm trying to be patient, but I feel like the more I back off, the further she drifts away. What if I lose her completely?"

Lucas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know it's hard, man. But sometimes, you have to let go a little so that the other person can find their way back to you. If you keep pushing, you might push her away for good."

Jake knew Lucas was right, but that didn't make it any easier. The thought of Emily slipping further away from him was almost unbearable, but he also knew that forcing the issue would only make things worse. So he did the only thing he could—he backed off, hoping that Emily would come around in her own time.

Meanwhile, in London, Emily's work was gaining recognition. The senior management team was impressed with her dedication, and she quickly became the go-to person for high-priority projects. Even David, the senior manager who had initially admired her from afar, couldn't help but be impressed by her work ethic.

"Emily, you're doing phenomenal work," David told her one evening after a long meeting. They were the last two in the conference room, the city lights twinkling outside the windows. "You've really turned things around for this office. I don't know how we managed without you."

Emily smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, David. I'm just trying to do my part."

David leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You've been working nonstop since you got here. It's admirable, but I have to ask—are you doing okay? You seem... a little worn out."

Emily looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. "I'm fine. It's just been a lot to handle, that's all."

David's expression softened with concern. "You know, you don't have to carry everything on your own. If you ever need to talk or just take a break, I'm here."

Emily appreciated his concern, but she wasn't ready to open up. "Thanks, David. I appreciate it, but I'm handling it."

David nodded, though it was clear he wasn't convinced. "Just remember, you don't have to do everything alone. Sometimes it helps to let someone in."

As the days turned into weeks, Emily's dedication to her work only intensified. She was determined to succeed, to prove that she didn't need anyone's help, not even Jake's. But the more she threw herself into her work, the more isolated she felt. She missed Jake—missed the way he made her feel grounded, the way he could always make her laugh, even when things were tough. But every time she thought about reaching out, something held her back.