CREME DE LA CREME

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐨𝐧𝐞: reconciliation

Anastasia sits in her office, staring at the portrait of her and Cameron. It's been about two months since that disastrous New York trip. It's about high time she talks to him, especially with the wedding being two weeks away. She grabs her phone to send him a text.

ANASTASIA
cam, can you come by the office?
I really need to talk to you

CAMERON
of course.
I'll be there in 20 minutes.

Anastasia gazes out the window, her mind racing with the impending conversation. The cityscape stretches out before her, but her focus is on the turmoil of the last few months. The trip to New York had been a disaster, and the fallout had lingered, casting a shadow over the upcoming wedding.

The door to her office opens with a soft click, and Cameron steps in, his expression serious. He pauses for a moment, taking in Anastasia's tense posture by the window.

"Hey," Cameron says gently, closing the door behind him. "You wanted to talk?"

Anastasia turns slowly, her eyes meeting his. "Yeah, Cam. I did. Please, have a seat."

He sits down across from her, his gaze steady but concerned. Anastasia takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"I've been thinking a lot about us, about everything that happened," she begins, her voice unsteady. "The trip to New York was... a mess. And I know we haven't really talked about it since."

Cameron nods, waiting patiently. "I know. Things have been tense, and we haven't had the chance to really sit down and clear the air."

Anastasia crosses her arms, her eyes searching his. "It's not just about New York. It's about us, and what we're heading into. The wedding is two weeks away, and I need to be sure we're on the same page."

Cameron leans forward, his expression earnest. "I'm here, Stassi. I want to work through this. What do you need to hear from me?"

She hesitates, then sits down at her desk, looking down at her hands before meeting his gaze again. "I need to know that we're in this together. That we can handle whatever comes our way. Because right now, it feels like we're just going through the motions."

Cameron's face softens, and he reaches out, his hand resting gently on hers. "I'm sorry if it feels that way. I really am. I've been struggling to find the right way to fix things, but I want you to know that I'm committed. I love you, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this work."

Anastasia's eyes fill with tears, but she blinks them away. "I love you too, Cameron. But love isn't always enough. We need to be able to communicate and support each other, especially now."

Cameron nods, squeezing her hand gently. "I agree. Let's make a promise to be open with each other from now on. No more avoiding the tough conversations."

Anastasia looks at him, her heart feeling lighter. "I can do that. I just want us to be happy together, and to start our marriage on the right foot."

Cameron smiles, a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. "Me too. We've been through a lot, but I believe we can get through this. Together."

Anastasia finally allows herself a small smile, feeling a sense of relief. "Okay. Let's take it one step at a time. We have two weeks to work things out, and I'm willing to put in the effort."

Cameron stands up and pulls her into a gentle hug. "We'll figure it out. We always do."

As they embrace, the tension in the room seems to ease, replaced by a renewed sense of commitment and understanding. The road ahead may still be uncertain, but for now, they both feel a glimmer of hope as they move forward.