Unexpected Love

7. A Glimmer Of Hope

The day dragged on like a leaden weight, each hour heavier than the last. Tim, Lucy's training officer, seemed determined to make her life a misery. He watched her every move with a critical eye, barking orders and correcting her at every turn. Lucy's exhaustion only grew, her body screaming for the insulin it so desperately needed.

She tried to hide her trembling hands as they patrolled the streets, her mind foggy and slow. Despite her love for being a police officer, she couldn't help but feel trapped - not just by Chris and his abusive demands, but also by her own failing health. *Why did this have to happen to me?* she thought, fighting back tears. *Why did I have to get diabetes?*

The job she had worked so hard for was slipping through her fingers, replaced by a constant battle to survive. By the end of her shift, she was ready to collapse, but she somehow managed to hold it together long enough to clock out.

The rain fell in torrents, soaking Lucy to the bone as she sat on the bench outside the police station. She felt so small, so insignificant against the relentless onslaught of the storm. Chris had taken her car keys, he insisted it was for her benefit. She felt so dizzy and weak and so she messaged chris asking to pick her up. As minutes passed her phone buzzed in her pocket - Chris's reply to her plea for help.

With a trembling hand, she read his cruel words: 'You wanted to lose weight, didn't you? Walking home will do you good.' Anger and frustration bubbled up inside her, but all she could manage was a broken sob. Her body ached, her head pounded, and her vision swam.

She had hit rock bottom. A police officer - someone who was supposed to be strong, someone who was trained to protect others - reduced to this weak, helpless state. Her colleagues rushed past her, umbrellas shielding them from the downpour, oblivious to her silent struggle.

Lucy let the tears fall freely, the raindrops mixing with them as they traced paths down her cheeks. She couldn't take this anymore. This wasn't living; this was surviving - and barely. She needed to find the strength to leave Chris before it was too late. But as she sat there, shivering and alone, she couldn't help but wonder if she was already too far gone.

Through the haze of her despair, Lucy felt a warmth beside her. She looked up to see Angela standing there, her eyes filled with concern. Angela's hair was plastered to her face, her uniform soaked from the rain, but Lucy had never seen anyone more beautiful. She quickly wiped away her tears, embarrassment flooding her.
She looked up, meeting Angela's eyes, and saw only kindness there. 'What's a pretty girl like you doing out here crying all alone?' Angela asked, her voice soft and soothing. Lucy felt a surge of warmth at Angela's words, her heart skipping a beat at the gentle concern lacing them.

Lucy's cheeks flushed, and she tried to brush away the remaining tears, embarrassed to be seen so vulnerable. 'It's...complicated,' she began, her voice barely audible over the patter of rain. But Angela was patient, waiting silently for Lucy to continue. 

Lucy bit her lip, feeling even more exposed under Angela's scrutiny. "I...can't really talk about it," she managed to choke out, hoping Angela wouldn't press further. To her relief, Angela simply smiled warmly and nodded. "I understand. I'm here whenever you're ready to talk, sweetheart," she said gently.

Then, noticing Lucy's shivering form, she added, "Now, why don't I drive you home? You must be freezing." Lucy nodded gratefully, but as she stood up, she realized her predicament. Her white shirt was plastered to her body, almost transparent from the rain, revealing her pink bra and the outline of her full breasts.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she tried to cover herself, but Angela didn't seem to notice or care. Instead, she handed Lucy her jacket, shielding her from the prying eyes of passersby. "Here, take this," she said kindly. "It's not far. We'll have you home and warmed up in no time." As they walked to Angela's car, Lucy couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected kindness. Maybe there was hope after all.

The car ride home was quiet, save for the hum of the engine and the soft patter of rain against the windshield. Lucy sat in the passenger seat, clutching Angela's jacket around her like a security blanket. She couldn't stop stealing glances at the woman beside her - her dark black hair, her perfect figure, the way she handled the wheel with such confidence. She was everything Lucy aspired to be, and more.

The silence seemed to stretch on forever, but it was comfortable, almost soothing. Lucy felt safe in Angela's presence, like she could finally let her guard down. Her thoughts drifted to more personal territory, her heart fluttering at the idea of Angela seeing her in a different light.

But she quickly pushed them aside, reminding herself of the professional boundaries they had to uphold. Still, she couldn't help but feel drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. As they pulled up to Lucy's small apartment building, she felt a pang of disappointment that their time together was coming to an end.

As Lucy stepped out of the car, shivering despite the warmth of Angela's jacket, Angela surprised her by stepping out too. She walked around to Lucy's side, opening her arms and enveloping her in a comforting hug. Lucy's heart swelled with gratitude, feeling the other woman's strength and warmth seeping into her bones.

Angela leaned down, her breath warm against Lucy's ear as she whispered, "I see you, Lucy Chen. I really see you." Lucy's eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected declaration. No one had ever said something so genuine and understanding to her before, did she notice? The bruises? The facade? The pain?

As they pulled apart, Lucy couldn't help but smile, feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination. 'Thank you,' she mouthed, unable to find the right words to express her feelings.

Angela simply nodded, her eyes holding Lucy's for a moment longer before she got back into the car. Lucy watched her drive away, clutching the jacket to her chest like a talisman, the words 'I see you' echoing in her mind. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally looking up.

1090 words :)
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