Not So Out Of Reach

Chapter 22: The Collision of Worlds

I stepped out of the café, my mind tangled in thoughts that refused to settle. It was as if each time I tried to move forward, the past yanked me back. The image of the man I had written in my notepad kept flashing in my head. Something about him haunted me. His face, the way he lingered at the hospital—then again at my mother’s funeral. I had given Detective Masego everything I remembered, but the unease lingered like a weight on my chest.

Distracted, I barely noticed the bustling street or the sun dipping low in the sky. I turned the corner with my head down, lost in my thoughts, and slammed right into a wall of muscle. The collision knocked me off balance, and before I could apologize, a familiar voice pulled me back to the present.

“Whoa, Winnie, are you okay?”

I blinked and looked up—straight into Alex’s eyes.

Only, this wasn’t the Alex I was used to seeing. Gone were the usual laid-back jeans and T-shirt. Instead, he was in a perfectly tailored navy blue suit, the kind that screamed luxury without trying too hard. His black shirt was unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his chest, and a slim dark tie hung loose around his neck. The whole look was corporate, sleek, and effortlessly sexy. His dark hair was slicked back, with a few rebellious strands falling over his forehead. He looked like he had just stepped out of a high-end business magazine—hot, commanding, and completely out of place in my usual world.

I swallowed hard, trying not to let the shock show on my face. “Alex?”

He smiled, a slow grin that made my heart skip for reasons I didn’t care to admit. “Yeah. Didn’t expect to run into you like this.”

I was still trying to gather myself when I realized I hadn’t moved. His hand lingered on my arm where he’d caught me from stumbling, and I quickly stepped back, creating space between us. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No harm done.” He gave a casual shrug, as if colliding with people on the street was a normal part of his day. “You alright?”

I nodded, pulling myself together. “Yeah, just... distracted.”

His eyes softened with concern. “Everything okay? You seem a bit off.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the last few days settle over me. “I went back to see Detective Masego,” I said, not really intending to, but the words just spilled out. “It’s about my mom. There’s a guy I keep remembering—someone who was there at the hospital and the funeral. I think he might know something, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s more than that.”

Alex’s expression shifted, his casual smile fading into something more serious. “Did the detective say anything new?”

“Not yet. He’s looking into it, but it’s all just... messy. Nothing makes sense, and I feel like I’m missing something important.” I hesitated, suddenly aware that I might be oversharing. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”

“Maybe because I asked,” he said, his voice gentle but steady. “And I’m glad you did. Look, I don’t know the whole situation, but I can tell you one thing—trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.”

I nodded, grateful for the reassurance. There was something calming about the way Alex listened, like he wasn’t just hearing the words but trying to understand the space between them. I hadn’t expected that from him, not when we barely knew each other. Yet, here he was, offering more comfort than I’d gotten from anyone else lately.

We talked over the phone often than I thought we would ever talk. It was more about what's happening in our lives, than where we actually stand. I hadn't told Daisy anything about mom's case—-- I felt the need not to disturb her. She is stressed out but better.

“Thanks, Alex,” I said softly, offering a small smile.

“No problem.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he glanced down at himself, tugging at his loosened tie. “I guess I should explain why I’m dressed like this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh lightly. “Yeah, I was wondering. What’s the occasion? Did you just come from a wedding?”

“Close,” he said with a grin. “Corporate dinner at my mom’s company. It’s... not really my thing, but she insisted I go. Apparently, I clean up well.”

“Well,” I said, crossing my arms, trying to hide my amusement, “you do.”

He chuckled, a sound that made my chest feel a little lighter. “Thanks. Though I’d trade this suit for a guitar any day.”

The way he said it, so genuine and casual, made me forget about the heavy thoughts weighing me down. For a moment, it felt like we were just two people sharing an easy conversation on a random day.

“So, what about you?” he asked, his tone shifting again. “What’s going on besides playing detective?”

I shrugged, suddenly aware of how mundane my day had been in comparison to his. “Just working. The café’s been busy thanks to your performance, actually. I think we’ve gotten more customers than ever.”

“Glad to help,” he said, grinning again. “Maybe I should do another set soon.”

“That could be fun,” I said, feeling a little spark of excitement at the idea.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. For a second, it seemed like there was something else on his mind, but he hesitated. Instead of voicing whatever it was, he tilted his head. “Listen, if you ever need to clear your head, I’ve been scoping out this spot downtown. It’s this live music bar, kind of low-key but with great vibes. I’m thinking of playing there sometime. You should come.”

The invitation was casual, but there was an underlying sincerity in his offer that made me pause. “Maybe,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant but feeling a warmth I couldn’t quite explain.

“Good,” he said, his eyes catching mine for a moment longer than necessary. “I’ll let you know when.”

We stood there, the busy city swirling around us, but it felt like we were in a different world. Alex, dressed like a polished executive, and me, in my regular café gear. It was strange how easily we had slipped into this conversation, like we’d been doing this for years instead of just a few weeks.

But before I could get too comfortable, my phone buzzed in my bag, pulling me back to reality. It was a message from Detective Masego. My stomach dropped.

“I have to go,” I said, my voice tinged with regret.

“Everything alright?” Alex asked, concern flickering across his face.

“I think so,” I lied, not wanting to drag him into the mess of my life. “Just... something I need to check on.”

He didn’t push, but his eyes told me he wanted to. Instead, he gave a small nod. “Alright. Take care, Winnie.”

“You too,” I said, offering one last smile before turning away.

As I walked down the street, I could feel his eyes on me, the weight of our unexpected connection lingering in the air. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel entirely alone in what I was going through.

But there were still too many questions, too many unknowns that needed answers. I needed to figure it NOW.