In The Wake Of Love

𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎 : 𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝

𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑨𝒏𝒅
𝑹𝒆𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒆,
𝑰𝒇 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝑰 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑰 𝑪𝒂𝒏'𝒕

𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒍 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒛

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛⋇⋆✦⋆⋇♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

◗Zephyr◖

What goes through someone's mind when they stand on the edge, ready to leap from a rooftop? Is it the false sense of freedom that comes from knowing the outcome is entirely their own, untouchable by anyone else?

While I understand that suicide is a grave matter, not to be taken lightly, I must clarify that I'm not contemplating such an act. Rather, I'm simply acknowledging the fleeting, intrusive thoughts that occasionally flit through one's mind. You know, those moments when you stand on a balcony, twenty-five stories up, and you're struck by a sudden rush of fear or a curious wonder about what might happen if you were to fall. It's a strange dance with the abyss, but rest assured, I have no intention of succumbing to it. You might wonder why, or perhaps not, but allow me to explain.

People say suicide is the ultimate escape, but let me tell you, it's not freedom, at least not for me. Why? Because there are a few people I'd much rather see squirming in their own shame as I rise higher than ever before. Jumping off the edge would just give them the satisfaction they're itching for, and there's no way in hell I'm handing that over on a silver platter. I'd rather drag myself through the mud than give them the pleasure of watching me fall. Call it petty, call it stubborn, but I'd rather stay and fight through the pain than let them win. Besides, watching them choke on their own bitterness? Now that's a victory worth sticking around for. And there's someone I want to live for.

"What are you doing over there, Zeph?"

The sudden voice startles me from my thoughts. I turn to see Mia, who's standing with a look of concern.

"Hey, buttercup, fancy seeing you here."

A flash of irritation crossed her face before she started walking towards me.

"Hey, hey, butte-"

"Cut it out, alright? I get it, you're having a laugh at my expense, but it's starting to get old."

I had to stifle a chuckle. She might claim it's boring, but she still bristled whenever I used the nickname her ex-boyfriend gave her.

"Well, if it's so boring, it shouldn't-"

"Enough with the distraction. What were you doing on the balcony?"

I hesitated, weighing whether to give her the truth. (Spoiler: I didn't.)

"Nothing much. Just watching the sunset. But what about you? What's got you out here at this hour? Everything alright?"

She didn't answer immediately. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if she was mulling something over. After a deep sigh, Mia lets out another, leaving me to wait in uneasy anticipation. I head to the wine cellar to grab a drink, hoping that will ease the tension, but Mia remains silent. I walk back to her.

"Hey, what's wrong? What are you thinking about so intently?"

She lifts her head, and I see a mix of concern, confusion, and sadness on her face.

"Mia, you're making me anxious. Just tell me what's going on."

Another sigh escapes her, heightening my worry.

"Easton called me. He said he couldn't deliver the message himself."

"Easton called you? As in my assistant, Easton Grant? And he wanted you to pass on a message? Why wouldn't he come to me directly? That's his job."

I'm completely baffled, feeling a surge of frustration.

"Zeph, it's not about the office or the company. If it had been, he would've come here himself."

Now I'm even more confused.

"Mia, just tell me straight out what Grant said. I'm lost here."

Mia takes a deep breath before speaking. Her first sentence barely registers as I'm already struggling to process what she's saying.

"Theo called the office. He wants to speak with you... alone. He said they will... but... "

Theo wants to talk to me? But... if it was about the contract, wouldn't Grant have handled it? Why would Theo need to speak to me privately?

"...Zeph... hey, are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I spaced out. What were you saying? He actually wants to talk to me ?"

Mia's worried expression doesn't waver, and suddenly, a cold wave of dread slams into me. My chest tightens, and panic claws at my throat, making it hard to breathe.

"No... No... Nononono."

This can't be happening. Not now. Not like this. Please, God, not like this! I needed to tell him in person, to fix everything! Damn it, no! No, no, no - not like this!

"Zeph, calm down," Mia urges, her voice trying to soothe me. "It might not be about that. Maybe it's just a contract or someth-"

"You know damn well it's not!" I snap, my voice cracking under the weight of my panic. "If it was just that, he wouldn't have said he wanted to talk to me alone. HE FUCKING HATES ME!"

I scream, as my words echoing in the silence. The room feels like it's closing in on me, suffocating me. Mia suddenly grabs me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Stop it, Mia. Not now, I can't-"

"Shh... it's okay, it's okay. Just breathe. Just breathe, okay?"

Her words cut through the chaos in my mind, grounding me. I focus on her voice, on the rhythm of my breath, and slowly, painfully, I start to breathe again. But then, something inside me breaks, like a dam giving way. The tears come, unstoppable and overwhelming, and I cry. I cry until I can't see, can't think, can't feel anything but the weight of my despair.

I cried for the first time since that night, since I ruined everything. Since I learned about the incident. Since I left him without a word. And now, just when I thought I could make things right, when I finally found a sliver of hope, I'm going to lose him again. If only I could turn back time and make everything right... Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to keep him. Or maybe... maybe I'll lose him again.

"No... I can't lose him again." I whisper, as the fear grips me, fear that this time, it might be forever. I try to force the words out through my ragged breathing, but they come out choked and desperate.

"You won't," she answers, her voice filled with so much certainty that I want to wrap myself in it, to let it be the anchor that keeps me from drowning.

"How can you be so sure?" I plead, my voice barely more than a whisper. I need her to give me the answers I've been searching for, the answers that could lead me back to happiness.

"It's just... I know it wasn't your fault. That's all I can say for now," she says gently, but her words hang heavy in the air.

And then, as if the darkness is pulling me under, wrapping me in a cocoon of protection, I feel myself slipping away, falling into the void that's been waiting for me all along.

Welcome to the beginning of this journey, a prologue to a story of love, secrets, and second chances. What is Zephyr hiding? What is Theo so desperate to discuss? And what did Mia mean when she said, 'It's not your fault'? If you're eager to uncover the answers and experience the full story, stay with me. I promise, there's so much more to come. Thank you for joining me on this adventure, I can't wait to share it with you.