It had been a few weeks since Gabby wrote that letter to Zay. Things had been flowing smoother than ever, both in business and in their relationship. The house they had bought together was starting to feel more like home, the smell of fresh candles filling the rooms, and their lives coming together in ways Gabby never thought possible. But Zay never let her forget that their relationship wasn't just about their success—it was about staying loyal, staying grounded, and always having each other's backs.
Gabby was in the kitchen one afternoon, surrounded by jars of wax and fragrances, pouring new batches of candles for the store. She had just signed another deal with a major retailer, and she could feel her business getting bigger every day. She was proud, but she was also exhausted.
Zay walked in with his usual confident swagger, a smile creeping onto his face as he watched her work. He leaned against the doorframe, taking in the sight of her so focused, so determined.
"You know," Zay said, breaking the silence, "you look good doin' all this work. You know how to hustle, babe."
Gabby looked up, smiling tiredly. "I'm just trying to keep it together. I got big plans, you know? I wanna be more than just a candle maker. I'm tryin' to build something that lasts."
Zay nodded, proud of how far she had come. "You already building, baby. Just don't forget to take care of yourself while you doing it. You've got me here for all the extra stuff, alright?"
She rolled her eyes playfully. "I know, I know. But you know I'm not good at slowing down."
Zay walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You don't gotta do it all by yourself, Gabby. I got you. We got each other."
Gabby rested her head on his chest, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little. "I know, I just... sometimes it feels like I have to prove something. Like, everything I've been through, I gotta show I can do it on my own."
Zay gently lifted her chin, making her look him in the eyes. "You don't have to prove nothin' to me. You already showin' what you made of every single day. I'm proud of you, baby. But don't wear yourself out. You don't have to carry the world on your shoulders. That's what I'm here for."
Gabby felt the sincerity in his words. She knew Zay meant it. He was never the type to say something just to say it. When Zay said he had her back, he meant that with every ounce of his being.
"Thanks, Zay," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You really make me feel like I'm not alone in this. Like... like everything I've been through, all the hurt and struggle... it matters. You make it feel like it's all worth it."
Zay kissed her forehead, holding her tight. "You've been through a lot, Gabby. And you deserve every bit of happiness that comes your way. I'm not goin' nowhere. We gon' ride this thing out together."
Gabby smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn't known in years. The weight of her past—the foster homes, the struggles, the loneliness—it felt lighter now. She had Zay, and that was all she needed to keep pushing forward.
As they stood there, wrapped up in each other's arms, Zay's phone rang. He pulled away just enough to glance at the screen, then put it on speakerphone.
"Yo, what's good?" Zay answered, his tone casual but commanding.
"It's Max, man. You free for a minute?" Max, one of Zay's business partners, asked.
"Always for you, bruh. What's up?" Zay replied, glancing at Gabby with a wink.
Max's voice dropped a little. "We got some serious stuff goin' down. I need you to pull up to the office. There's a situation with the store. We might need to make some moves, fast."
Zay's expression hardened, and he turned to Gabby. "I'll be right there," he said to Max, hanging up. Then, he turned back to Gabby. "Business don't stop. I'll make this quick. I need to handle this for a minute."
Gabby nodded, but her expression shifted to one of concern. "You good?"
"Yeah, don't worry. It's all business, babe," Zay reassured her, but the intensity in his eyes told her it was more than just a minor issue.
He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, but not before kissing Gabby on the forehead one more time.
"I'll be back soon, alright?" he said.
Gabby nodded, her thoughts drifting to what Max could possibly be referring to. Zay was used to handling business under pressure, but she had seen the way his face changed when things got serious.
She finished up the candles she was working on, but her mind was elsewhere, thinking about what might be coming their way. Life had a way of throwing curveballs, and Gabby knew that no matter what happened, Zay would have her back—and she would always have his.
To Be Continued...
