Timeless Regrets.

Old Friend. (Chapter - 7)

I froze as I saw who was in front of the café; my heart sank as memories surged within me. 

It was Francine, and she looked like she was with someone.

 As she moved inside, I saw who she was with—

Gerald. My heart sank deeper.

Why are they here? Why now?

As I gazed at them, their laughter echoed in my mind, accompanied by their grinning faces. I tried to look away, but their expressions were etched into my memory. 

Their laughter haunted me, and their grins felt like daggers. They stood together so comfortably, as if the world hadn't crumbled beneath me because of them.

Then the emotions flooded in.

My body trembled uncontrollably, chills creeping up my spine. Cold sweat trickled down my face, and a tight knot formed in my stomach, as if it were ready to spill. 

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes. The feeling of hopelessness began to consume me whole.

Samantha's face appeared in my line of sight, concern etched in her features. 

"Yo, what happened?" 

Her words cut through the fog of my despair, giving me a brief anchor amid the storm.

"N-nothing!" I replied, glancing down at my coffee, still anxious about them being inside the café. I hoped they wouldn't notice me.

"Really?" Samantha's warm yet concerned voice held a hint of disbelief.

"Who do we have here?"

I froze at the sound of a voice I knew all too well—the voice that had haunted me since that day.

Did they notice me?

"Hey there, gorgeous. Are you from around here?" the voice taunted, dripping with a sinister undertone.

"What?" Samantha spoke with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Who are you?" Samantha asked, her voice sharp and unwavering.

"Woah, you're a feisty one, aren't you?" Gerald chuckled, his gaze fixed on Samantha.

I could feel Samantha's annoyance growing, but I couldn't turn around. My body felt paralyzed.

"Who's this, your boyfriend?" Gerald sneered, grabbing my shoulder and forcing me to face him. My eyes were dead, devoid of all defiance.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Jonah."

 His grin widened as he recognized me, his demeanor turning aggressive. 

"Been a long time. What are you doing here with a gorgeous lady? Aren't you lucky?"

I stood silent, trapped in a web of anxiety.

Samantha, sensing my discomfort, spoke up.

 "Who the hell are you? Are you some acquaintance of his?" 

Her fierce eyes challenged him.

"Oh, we're old friends of his, right Jonah?" He nudged me with his elbow, forcing me further into the spotlight.

I couldn't speak; it was as if my mouth had been sewn shut, my tongue twisted into silence.

Why can't I move? Why can't I do anything?

Samantha's patience snapped. "Can you stop that? You don't look like a friend to him."

The café fell silent, everyone now watching the scene unfold. Gerald hesitated before stepping back with a scoff.