Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 49: Tightening the Knot

The days following Jaylen's meeting with Andre were quieter than Mya expected. Jaylen seemed to have a renewed focus, throwing himself into work and their family like nothing was wrong. But Mya knew better. Just because the surface was calm didn't mean the storm wasn't still brewing beneath. She could feel it in the tension that lingered around Jaylen's shoulders, the late-night phone calls he didn't want her to overhear.

Mya had learned over time how to balance patience with her desire for answers. Jaylen was doing his best to handle the situation, and she trusted him. But it didn't make the waiting any easier. Every day felt like walking on the edge of something uncertain.

One afternoon, while Jaylen was out handling business, Mya was at the café working through some final design details with Melody. The café was coming together beautifully, the vision she and Melody had worked on for so long finally becoming a reality. It was the one bright spot in her life right now—the project that kept her mind focused, even when everything else felt like it was hanging by a thread.

"So, you excited for the grand opening next month?" Melody asked as they reviewed the final layout of the menu.

Mya smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, it's exciting. I just feel like my mind is split between the café and everything else going on at home."

Melody frowned, setting down her pen. "Everything okay with Jaylen?"

Mya hesitated. She hadn't told Melody about the mess Jaylen was dealing with. She wasn't sure how much she should say, but keeping it all inside was starting to wear her down. "It's complicated," she finally said. "He's dealing with some stuff from work. Business deals gone bad, that kind of thing. And it's been... stressful."

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Sounds more than just stressful. You worried?"

Mya bit her lip, nodding. "Yeah. I mean, Jaylen's doing everything he can to keep it away from us, but... I don't know. I can feel how heavy it is on him, and I just want it to be over. It's hard seeing him carry that weight alone."

Melody reached out and squeezed her hand. "You've got a lot on your plate, but if anyone can handle this, it's you two. I've seen the way y'all hold each other down. You're stronger than this."

Mya smiled softly. "Thanks. I just hope you're right."

That night, Jaylen was quiet again, his mind clearly somewhere else as they sat on the couch after putting Zaria to bed. Mya had been trying to give him space, but the silence was growing heavier with each passing day.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "Jay, what's going on? You've been quiet since that meeting with Andre. I know you're handling it, but I feel like you're still holding something back."

Jaylen glanced at her, his jaw tightening for a moment before he sighed. "I've been tryin' not to stress you out more than you already are, Mya. I didn't wanna tell you until I was sure, but... things are moving faster than I thought."

Mya's heart skipped a beat. "Faster how?"

Jaylen leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Andre found some leverage we can use to get out clean, but Rashad and his people are already making moves. They know I'm trying to back out, and now they're pushing even harder."

Mya's stomach tightened. "What does that mean? Are we in danger?"

Jaylen shook his head quickly. "No, not yet. But I can't let this go on much longer without making a move. Andre thinks we can turn the tables on them, but it's gonna take a little time. And if I don't act soon, they might start lookin' for other ways to get what they want."

Mya felt her chest tighten with worry. "You mean like coming after us?"

Jaylen's expression darkened. "It ain't gon' come to that. I won't let it."

Mya looked at him, her mind racing with all the possibilities. She had trusted Jaylen to keep them safe, but now it felt like everything was spiraling out of control. "Jay, I trust you, but I need you to be honest with me. How bad is this really?"

Jaylen met her eyes, and for the first time, she saw the full weight of what he'd been carrying. "It's bad, Mya. Worse than I thought. But I'm not gonna let them touch you or Zaria. I'm workin' on a way out. I just need a little more time."

Mya swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "What can I do to help?"

Jaylen shook his head. "You don't need to do nothin'. Just keep doing what you're doing, keep Zaria safe, and let me handle the rest. I'm not dragging you into this any more than I already have."

Mya's frustration flared. "Jaylen, I'm already in this! We're a family. You can't just keep carrying all of this on your own. We have to face it together."

Jaylen's expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand. "I know. And I'm sorry. I just... I'm so used to handling things on my own, I forget that I don't have to anymore. You and Zaria are my whole world. I can't let anything happen to y'all."

Mya squeezed his hand, her heart aching for him. "We'll figure this out, Jay. We always do. Just promise me you won't shut me out again."

Jaylen nodded, pulling her closer until she was resting against his chest. "I promise."

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of everything pressing down on them both. Mya closed her eyes, letting the steady rhythm of Jaylen's heartbeat soothe her. No matter how heavy things felt, she knew they'd face it together.

The following morning, Mya woke up to the sound of Jaylen on the phone, his voice low but tense. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help overhearing bits and pieces of the conversation. It was clear things were moving fast—faster than either of them had anticipated.

When Jaylen hung up, Mya sat up in bed, watching him carefully. "Was that Andre?"

Jaylen nodded, running a hand over his face. "Yeah. He's pulling everything together. We're almost there."

Mya slid out of bed and crossed the room, standing in front of him. "What do you need me to do?"

Jaylen shook his head. "You don't need to do anything. Just stay safe, and I'll take care of the rest."

Mya frowned. "I don't like just sitting around while this is happening."

Jaylen took her hands, pulling her close. "I know, but it's almost over. I can feel it. Once this is done, we can go back to normal."

Mya rested her head on his chest, letting out a breath. She trusted Jaylen, but the tension in the air felt thick, like something was about to break.

That evening, as Mya and Jaylen sat on the couch watching a movie, there was a knock at the door. Mya's heart jumped, and she exchanged a glance with Jaylen, who immediately stood up, his posture tense.

"I'll get it," he said, his voice steady but firm.

Mya watched as he walked to the door, her nerves on edge. Something about the knock felt off. When Jaylen opened the door, her heart stopped.

It was Rashad.

Jaylen stepped outside, quickly closing the door behind him, but Mya could hear the heated conversation just beyond the threshold. She stood frozen, her mind racing. Whatever was happening out there wasn't good.

And for the first time, Mya felt the cold reality of what Jaylen was really up against.