The days that followed their conversation were different. It wasn't that anything had changed between them, but there was a new sense of depth in their relationship. Zay saw Gabriella in a new light—he understood now why she guarded herself so fiercely, why she kept parts of her past to herself. But even with that understanding, he was more determined than ever to help her build the future she deserved.
Gabriella had faced so much, but she was strong. And Zay was right there with her, supporting her every step of the way. Together, they had begun something new. Her candle business wasn't just her dream anymore—it was theirs.
One evening, after a long day of work, Gabriella sat on the couch in her small apartment, her legs tucked beneath her as she stared at the candles she had just finished pouring. The new scent was a blend of citrus and vanilla with a touch of lavender, and she was excited to see how it turned out.
Zay walked in, holding takeout bags from their favorite restaurant. "Hey, I brought dinner. You hungry?"
Gabriella grinned as she stood up, taking the bags from him. "You're the best." She opened the bags, and the delicious smells of their meal filled the apartment.
"You always say that," Zay teased, sitting down at the table. "But hey, it's true. I got you."
They dug into their food, chatting about their day. Zay asked how the candle business was going, and Gabriella smiled as she told him about the custom orders they'd received recently. She was still working on growing the business, but things were finally starting to look up.
"So, what's next for you?" Zay asked between bites, watching her closely. "What's your big goal with this?"
Gabriella paused for a second, taking a deep breath before answering. "I want to make it a real business. Something people know about. But it's hard, you know? I'm still figuring it all out."
Zay nodded, understanding. "We've already made it a business. We're building something real, together. You've got the talent, and we've got the work ethic to back it up."
Gabriella's heart warmed at his words. She had never really had someone who believed in her dream the way Zay did, someone who was willing to invest time and energy into making it happen. It meant everything.
"You know, I've been thinking," Zay continued. "Maybe we can start putting together a plan to get more exposure. Maybe a pop-up shop or something. Get people to see your candles in person."
Gabriella's eyes lit up. "A pop-up shop? That's actually a great idea. I've been thinking about doing something like that but didn't know where to start."
Zay grinned. "Well, you've got a partner now. We can make it happen. I can help with the marketing, and we can set up a booth at a local market."
Gabriella couldn't believe how much he was willing to help. He wasn't just supporting her from the sidelines; he was right there in the trenches with her, making things happen.
"That sounds amazing," she said, her smile widening. "I don't think I could've done any of this without you, Zay."
He smiled back, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "You don't have to. I'm in this with you. All the way."
The next few weeks were filled with planning. Zay and Gabriella worked together every day, researching markets, working on social media strategies, and finding ways to grow her brand. Zay's business knowledge was invaluable, and Gabriella's creativity was the perfect complement. They worked tirelessly, but it didn't feel like work because they were doing it together.
One Saturday afternoon, they set up their booth at a local market for the first time. Gabriella was nervous, but Zay was there, reassuring her every step of the way. As the crowd began to gather around their booth, Gabriella couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It wasn't just her dream anymore—it was theirs.
"This is crazy," Gabriella said as they watched customers pick up her candles. "I never thought I'd see something like this happen."
Zay chuckled, leaning against the table. "I told you. You've got something special, Gabby. And now the world gets to see it."
The day went better than they had expected. By the end of the market, Gabriella had sold more candles than she could have imagined. She felt like all the hard work, all the late nights, had finally paid off. And it was only the beginning.
That night, they celebrated with a quiet dinner at her apartment. Zay opened a bottle of wine, and they toasted to their success.
"Here's to us," Zay said, raising his glass. "And to everything that's coming next."
Gabriella smiled, her heart full. "I never thought I'd have someone like you in my life, Zay. I never would've started this business without you."
Zay placed his glass down and leaned across the table to take her hand. "You never have to do anything alone again, Gabby. We're in this together, always."
As they sat together that night, Gabriella felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in a long time. She had come from a place of survival, always fighting, always alone. But now, with Zay by her side, she was building something real. Something that wasn't just about making candles—it was about building a future.
They weren't just partners in business—they were partners in life. And with Zay, Gabriella knew she had found something she never thought was possible: someone who truly had her back, no matter what.
To Be Continued...
