A Legacy in Bloom: Casa Montenegro Series 2

Chapter 5

"Somewhere far. Somewhere exciting. Somewhere that makes you nervous."

Sy woke up the next morning feeling lighter than he had in years. There was no call to his father's office, no overwhelming schedule packed with meetings he didn't care about. For once, the weight of the Montenegro legacy didn't feel like it was crushing him.

His mind drifted to Aya, and a smile crept across his face. She had been his anchor, the one person who saw through the polished façade and reminded him of who he really was. He grabbed his phone and sent her a quick message.

Sy: Free for breakfast? My treat.

The reply came almost instantly.

Aya: Sure. But you're paying extra if you make me wait.

Sy chuckled, already grabbing his jacket.

---

They met at a quaint café near Aya's studio. She was already seated when Sy arrived, her hair tied in a loose bun and her camera bag slung over the chair beside her.

"You're early," he teased, sitting across from her.

"I was hungry," she replied with a grin. "And curious. How does it feel to finally be free?"

Sy paused, considering her question. "Weird," he admitted. "But good. Like I'm finally breathing fresh air after being stuck underwater for years."

Aya smiled. "That's the best kind of weird."

Their food arrived, and as they ate, Sy found himself sharing more than he ever had with anyone else. He told her about his childhood—how he'd always been compared to Zay, how his father's expectations had shaped every decision he'd ever made. Aya listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking a question.

When he finished, she leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you've spent your whole life living for other people. Maybe now's the time to figure out what you want."

"That's the problem," Sy said, running a hand through his hair. "I don't even know where to start."

Aya reached across the table, placing a hand on his. "Start small. What's something you've always wanted to do but never had the chance?"

Sy thought for a moment. "Travel, I guess. See the world without it being about business."

Aya's eyes lit up. "That's perfect. Pick a place and just go."

He chuckled. "It's not that simple."

"It can be," she said with a shrug. "You're not tied down anymore, remember?"

Her words sparked something in him, a sense of possibility he hadn't felt in years.

---

That afternoon, Sy found himself browsing travel blogs and destination guides, something he'd never had the luxury of doing before. He couldn't stop thinking about Aya's suggestion—why not just pick a place and go?

His phone buzzed with another text, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Aya: Did you book your ticket yet?

He smirked and replied: Not yet. Any suggestions?

Her response came quickly. Somewhere far. Somewhere exciting. Somewhere that makes you nervous.

Sy stared at her message, a slow smile spreading across his face. He had no idea where this newfound spontaneity would take him, but he knew one thing for certain: he wanted Aya to be a part of it.