Rhythm of Heartbreak

Chapter 1: Meet Jess Lynn

"Jess, we've got a customer at table 2. Can you handle it?" Fred's voice cut through the lively hum of the busy restaurant.

With a practiced nod, Jess moved toward the table with her usual grace. Her smile was warm, and her eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm. "Good afternoon! What can I get for you today?"

She swiftly jotted down their orders, repeating them for a final confirmation before heading back to the kitchen. The diner buzzed with the comforting noise of chatter and laughter, that's how it is most days. She breathed as she took a moment to absorb the scene, appreciating the vibrant, bustling atmosphere that had become her second home.

This diner had been a refuge for her when she first arrived in town, its charm immediately captivating her. Fred, the owner, was warm and accommodating, there was kindness reflected in his old eyes that bore no judgment, and his attentive nature made every guest feel special. He also has a good relationship with all of his staff, encouraging them to greet patrons with sincere smiles.

A smile touched Jess's lips as she thought about her good luck. When one of the waitresses had quit, she had gotten the chance to work at the diner. After a long, tough job search in a city full of competition, this job was a lifesaver. Leaving her hometown and her studies to support Shaun's dreams had been a big sacrifice. But reality had hit hard with bills and rent, and making ends meet had become her new normal.

"Jess, here's the order for table 2," Jose, the head cook, said, snapping her back to the present.

She took the plates with a nod and moved gracefully toward the table. Serving the food filled her with quiet pride, and she momentarily forgot about her tiredness. The diner, winding down for the afternoon, had been a refuge from her struggles. But as the hours dragged on, exhaustion started to weigh heavily on her.

When the last customers left and the diner's lights dimmed, Jess glanced at her watch. It was almost eight in the evening.

"I'll just finish up here and then head to my other job, Fred," she said, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.

Fred looked at her with a mix of concern and admiration. "Don't work too hard, Jess. You need to rest."

"I'll be fine," she assured him, though her tired smile showed the truth. She knew every shift brought her closer to balancing her dreams with the tough reality of her life.

Fred's worry grew. "You're too young to be taking on so much work. I don't know what's going on, but I hope you're not pushing yourself too hard."

Jess smiled weakly and nodded. She appreciated Fred's genuine concern but was determined to keep going. She hurried out of the diner, her mind already shifting as she made her way to the bus station. She thought about taking a cab but decided against it. Every penny counted, and she couldn't afford to spend extra money.

When Jess arrived at her next job's address, she paused, amazed by the grand house. She wondered why she was there again, thinking about the events that led her to this point.

Earlier that day, while taking out the trash, Jess had met Evelyn Lee, a widow who lived above her apartment. Evelyn had looked upset, and Jess had noticed a forgotten frame on the cold stairs. In a quick moment, she had seen Mrs. Lee's consciousness fading.

Jess had rushed to help, her heart racing as she tried to stabilize the elderly woman. The effort had been physically demanding, and Jess had nearly lost her balance as she helped her back to her room.

"Mrs. Lee? Are you okay?" Jess asked, worried.

After moving Evelyn to a more comfortable spot, Jess made some tea. As she handed the cup to Evelyn, she saw the woman's color slowly return and a soft, thankful smile appear.

"Thank you..." Evelyn whispered, her voice faint.

Jess sighed in relief as she saw the woman's awareness return. "Mrs. Lee, I was really worried. What happened?"

Evelyn adjusted herself to a sitting position with Jess's help. "I was going downstairs when I suddenly felt dizzy. I decided to lie down before I fell."

Jess nodded. "Do you want me to call 911?"

Evelyn shook her head.

Jess was quiet for a moment, then said gently, "I hope you're feeling better now. If there's anything I can do, just let me know." She offered a comforting smile.

Evelyn nodded gratefully and said, "Actually, there is something. Would you be willing to take over my housekeeping duties for tonight?"

***********

Jess sighed as she looked at the flickering lights in the garage, wondering if the owner was home.

When she stepped inside the house, she was struck by how modern it was. Big windows let in lots of light, while the clean lines and brown and silver colors gave it a sleek, modern feel. The roof sloped in a new way, different from older designs. Inside, the open space featured a floating stairway leading to the upper floor, and the shiny concrete floors added a touch of style.

As she looked around, she wondered if the owner lived alone in such a big house. The curving staircase, made of polished wood with a pretty banister, led to a second floor. A Persian rug covered part of the worn carpet, and the walls were decorated with prints of men on horseback, giving the home a unique charm.

While dusting the walls and tables, Jess noticed the house was nearly spotless. She imagined what it would be like to live in a place like this with Shaun and their future kids. She blushed at the thought, touching her flushed face and giggling. If Shaun knew about her daydreams, he'd probably tease her playfully. Even as a child, her biggest wish had been to be Shaun's partner and succeed in that role.

She felt a wave of longing. They hardly saw each other now because of his busy schedule. Even though she understood his career demands, she missed him a lot. Shaun, with his talent and looks, had always been charming. His deep blue eyes with silver flecks and his striking features made him very attractive. No wonder he became popular so quickly.

Jess's smile faded as sadness set in. Shaun had been with her since they were young, and their bond had been strong. But lately, she felt like a stranger to him.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. "Shaun will come around. He's just stressed. Once his career settles down, everything will be fine," she said to herself, holding her hands to her chest.

With a sigh, she continued exploring the house, trying to distract herself from her worries. As night fell and the outside world grew quiet, Jess wondered about her future in this new city and hoped she wouldn't regret her choices.