Island Love

Chapter 22: Back to Reality

Weeks had passed since Beyoncé left the island, and life had quickly returned to its usual hectic pace. The comforting warmth of the sun-soaked beaches, the calming rhythm of the waves, and the serenity of those stolen moments with YN felt like a distant dream, but one she carried with her every day. It was back to reality now—the reality of being Beyoncé, the global superstar, the mother, the woman whose life was constantly under the spotlight.
She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of her blazer as she prepared for yet another day filled with meetings, rehearsals, and the endless responsibilities that came with her name. She looked impeccable, as always—a picture of grace and poise. But behind the polished exterior, there was a part of her that felt incomplete.
The island had given her a taste of something she hadn't realized she was missing: simplicity, connection, the freedom to just be herself without the weight of the world's expectations pressing down on her shoulders. And, of course, there was YN.
Beyoncé couldn't stop thinking about her. Not a day went by that she didn't miss the hell out of YN—the sound of her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when they talked, the comfort she found in their shared silence. They had made a promise to stay in touch, and they had kept it. Texts, calls, video chats—they did it all, almost every day. It helped, but it wasn't the same as being there with her.
As she drove to the studio that morning, her phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced at the screen and couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.
YN: Morning, beautiful. Thinking about you. How's your day so far?
Beyoncé's fingers quickly moved over the screen, her smile widening.
Beyoncé: Morning, love. Busy, as always. But I've got you on my mind, so that's keeping me going.
YN's reply came almost instantly.
YN: Same here. I miss you like crazy.
Beyoncé's heart gave a little flutter. It was strange, this connection they had. It felt so deep, so real, despite the distance and the challenges. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before.
Beyoncé: I miss you too. Wish you were here.
The truth of that statement hit her hard. She did wish YN was there, more than anything. But she also knew how complicated things were. The media would have a field day if they found out about YN, and that was something Beyoncé wasn't ready to deal with—not yet.
She arrived at the studio, sliding her phone into her bag as she stepped out of the car. The day ahead was packed: finalizing choreography for an upcoming performance, meetings with her team, and, of course, spending time with her kids in between. But as much as she tried to focus on the tasks at hand, her mind kept drifting back to YN.
During a brief break, she found herself scrolling through their text messages, reading over the conversations they'd had in the past few weeks. There was a comfort in those words, in knowing that no matter how far apart they were, YN was still a part of her life.
Later that evening, after putting the kids to bed, Beyoncé settled into the corner of her couch, phone in hand. She dialed YN's number, anticipation bubbling in her chest as she waited for her to pick up.
"Hey, you," YN's voice came through the line, warm and familiar. "How was your day?"
"Busy," Beyoncé admitted, sinking deeper into the cushions. "But better now that I'm talking to you."
"I feel the same way," YN replied. "I wish I could just be there with you. This distance is killing me."
Beyoncé sighed, feeling the same ache. "I know. It's hard. But we're making it work, right? And when the time is right, we'll figure out a way to be together."
There was a pause on the other end, and Beyoncé could almost hear YN's thoughts churning. "Do you think that time will come soon?"
Beyoncé didn't have an answer, not one she could say with certainty. "I hope so," she said softly. "I really do."
They continued talking late into the night, about their days, their hopes, their fears. It was the kind of conversation that felt both grounding and uplifting, a reminder that even though they were miles apart, they were still connected in a way that mattered.
As the night wore on and the conversation began to wind down, Beyoncé felt a sense of peace settle over her. She missed YN, more than words could express, but she also knew that what they had was special. It was worth the distance, the wait, the uncertainty. Because for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was truly being seen and loved for who she was—not the superstar, but the woman underneath.
"Goodnight, YN," she whispered into the phone, not wanting to end the call but knowing she needed to sleep.
"Goodnight, Beyoncé. Sweet dreams."
As she lay in bed that night, Beyoncé allowed herself to dream about the future—a future where she and YN could be together, where they wouldn't have to rely on phones and video chats to stay connected. It was a future that seemed far off, but one that she was determined to reach.
For now, though, she would take it one day at a time, holding on to the connection they had built, and trusting that it would be enough to carry them through until they could be together again.