Rhythm of Heartbreak

Chapter 2: Cracks of the Present

Jess's breath caught when Shaun’s face appeared on the small television in the diner. His new music video was playing, and her eyes lit up with pride. She felt a wave of joy, having longed to see his dreams come true.

“Hey, are you okay?” Fred asked gently, tapping her shoulder. He noticed the tears of joy in her eyes.

She gave Fred a sweet, wistful smile and nodded. “That man…” she said, pointing at the screen. Fred looked at the TV, following her gesture.

"The singer?" he asked.

She nodded earnestly. "That's my future husband," she declared matter-of-factly.

Fred's lips curled into a sudden grin. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop himself from laughing, and soon his loud, joyful laughter filled the diner. Other people turned to look at him, curious about the noise.

"What's so funny?" Her pout deepened as she asked.

Fred, still laughing, wiped away tears from his eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make fun of your dreams. It's just... hearing you say he'll be your future husband is really funny."

"But it's true," she was about to share the story of her long connection with Shaun when Fred tapped her shoulder again.

"There's nothing wrong with dreaming big, but keep your dreams grounded in reality. Otherwise, you might end up chasing them endlessly," Fred advised with a smirk before walking away.

She watched him walk away. He probably saw her as just another fan dreaming that her idol would one day fall in love with her. She sighed and said to herself, "Maybe I did seem like just another fan—overly excited and devoted to an impossible dream."

Turning her eyes back to the screen, Jess's smile came back. "But I'm truly happy for you," she whispered, feeling proud of Shaun more than ever. 

Jess decided to leave work early to surprise Shaun and personally congratulate him on his new album. She wanted to make the visit special, so she hadn't told him in advance.

As Jess walked to the studio, she passed a popular bakery. The sweet smell of fresh baked goods tempted her. The display featured cakes with pink raspberry swirls, rich chocolate layers, and creamy toppings of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. They were covered in mocha, chocolate, Oreo, white chocolate, nuts, and whipped cream.

She remembered their first visit when Shaun was struggling with his music career. Jess had insisted they stop at the pastry shop, even though Shaun was reluctant, he finally gave in. Jess knew that he loved cheesecake, a secret treat of his. The bakery’s cheesecake had a dark chocolate cookie base, a light and moist cream cheese layer, and a perfectly baked top.

She recalled the excitement Shaun had shown as he took the first piece. The texture, as his fork cut through the soft cream cheese, reminded her of a baby playing in a bubble bath. The joy on Shaun's face as he tasted the cheesecake made all his worries vanish, even if just for a moment.

She smiled, knowing Shaun would love the cheesecake as a congratulatory gift. After paying for and carefully wrapping it, Jess headed to Shaun's studio building. She had been there a few times when he was just starting, but later he had preferred to work alone to stay focused on his career. It had been disappointing for her, as she wanted to be part of his journey, but she understood why he needed to do it.

When the elevator doors opened on the 14th floor, Jess saw that the studio had changed since her last visit. The walls were painted a calming bluish-gray with a simple floral border. The ceiling matched the walls, and the floor was dark brown wood. A coat rack near the door, though empty, was stylish and the potted plants around the room added a nice touch.

She walked in and saw that the studio was empty. She regretted not calling Shaun first—he might not be there. Just then, she heard a familiar, sultry laugh from the recording room. The conversation sounded personal, and Jess felt a lump in her throat.

Jess froze when she saw Shaun and a woman in the recording studio, both smiling. Shaun's initial surprise quickly turned into confusion and then anger when he saw her. Before Jess could say anything, two strong hands grabbed her arms and pulled her back toward the elevator.

"What are you doing here?" Shaun's frustration was clear.

Her smile faded at his reaction. She had hoped for surprise, maybe even excitement, but not this coldness. Trying to stay calm, she said, "I haven't seen you in a while and wanted to check in. I saw your music video earlier and I'm really proud of you. I came to congratulate you... and I brought your favorite," she said, trying to show him the cheesecake.

"Can we do this another time, Jess? I'm busy with something important," Shaun said, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting. When will you be finished? I can wait," she offered.

"No!" Shaun said sharply.

"Why not?" Jess asked, confused by his sudden change in attitude.

Shaun took a deep breath to calm down. "I'm not sure when we'll be done with this project. How about I come by your place later when I'm finished so you don't have to wait here?"

Jess's face lit up. "Alright, I'll wait for you at the apartment. I'll make your favorite dinner," she said with excitement.

Shaun nodded, pressing the elevator button and quickly showing Jess out. He didn't wait for the doors to close before heading back to the studio, where the blonde woman was waiting.

"Who was that?" Cindy, Shaun's manager, asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms on the couch.

Shaun paused before answering. "What, her?"

"Yes, the one who looks at you like a lovesick puppy. Who is she?" Cindy asked, pressing for details.

Shaun laughed it off. "Oh, she's nobody," he said, brushing off her curiosity.