_Almost Is Never Enough_

Close, But Not Quite🩶

As Sophia stood before the mirror, brushing her hair and applying her makeup in the warm morning light, her excitement bubbled over. She couldn't wait to share her news with Ryan. But as soon as she mentioned Paris, Ryan's face transformed before her eyes. His smile, which had lit up just moments before as he congratulated her on her promotion, vanished in an instant. His expression darkened, like a cloud casting a shadow over his face.

"You're really going to leave, aren't you?". His voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Sophia nodded, her excitement about the opportunity still radiating from her. "I have to, Ryan. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me".

Ryan's expression turned intense, his eyes burning with a fierce gaze.

"I get it, the promotion is a big deal, but Paris? That's a whole different continent. What about us? Don't you care about what this means for our relationship?" he pressed on, his voice laced with a hint of accusation and vulnerability.

Sophia's smile faltered, and she took a step back, intuitively sensing the rigid tension in Ryan's stance.

"Of course, I care," she replied, her voice measured and gentle, as if trying to placate him. "But this opportunity is a game-changer for me. I can't let it slip away. We can bridge the distance," she continued, her words spilling out in a reassuring cadence, "we can Skype, visit each other, make time for each other..."

Ryan cut her off, his voice rising. "That's not the same as being together, Sophia".
"Then if it's about being together we can leave together".
"And what about my promotion? I just got a new job on this side of town. We were supposed to start this new chapter together".

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise. "You never mentioned that before!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness.

Ryan's face darkened, his expression morphing into an accusatory glare. "You were too caught up in your own Parisian dreams to even consider my dreams, weren't you?" he shot back, his tone laced with a hint of bitterness.

"That's not fair, Ryan."
"Oh, so you think it's fair to leave me behind?I'm not the one running away."

"I'm not running away!". Sophia protested. "I didn't choose to be transferred!".
"Then you shouldn't have a problem declining the offer. I'm not asking you to turn down the promotion, but why can't you stay here and move up to a higher position? We can celebrate both our achievements together."

"It's not just about me, Ryan. It's about Ava, too. She's worked tirelessly to get to this point, twice as hard as I have. Can you imagine me telling her that we're passing up the Paris opportunity, which would take our careers to the next level, just because I can't bear to leave you behind? What about all the people she's willing to leave behind for this chance? Family, friends, colleagues. She's sacrificed so much for this moment, and it wouldn't be fair to her if I were to turn it down. She's counting on me to seize this opportunity, and I can't let her down."

Ryan's face contorted in disbelief. "So you're willing to sacrifice our relationship for this promotion, just to avoid letting your friend down?" he asked, his voice laced with incredulity.

Sophia's voice quivered, but she stood her ground. "That's not what this is about, Ryan. I'm not being selfish, I'm being selfless. I can't snatch away Ava's hard-earned dreams, not when she's worked so hard to achieve them."

Ryan's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he leaned in.

"It's a pity you don't have much of a choice. Either you'll break your promise to Ava, or you'll break my heart. What's your choice going to be?" His voice was low and even, but with an undercurrent of hurt and anger.