She sank onto the edge of her bed, mind spinning. Marcus Thompson—the same man she had noticed on the bus, the marketing manager at Biotherm—liked her. And he wanted to meet after work. She should feel excitement, maybe even joy, but all she felt was a swirl of nervousness and hesitation. Memories of her past heartbreak crept in, reminding her how carefully she had built the walls around her heart.
She forced herself out of bed, moving around her apartment mechanically. Emails needed checking, clothes had to be laid out for work—thousands of little routines that kept her grounded. Yet her mind kept drifting back to Marcus, to his confession, to the words "see you tomorrow."
And now… this was the tomorrow. The day she would see him again. Her heart fluttered despite herself, a mix of anticipation and nervousness twisting in her chest. Every small task felt heavier, yet sharper, as if the world itself was reminding her that today, everything could change.
By the time she finished getting ready for work, the city outside was buzzing with its usual morning frenzy. She knew she had to focus on the day ahead—coffee orders, impatient customers, and the familiar chaos of Midtown Coffee Co.—but she couldn't stop her heart from racing at the thought of seeing Marcus again.
Mia moved through her morning routine with a strange mixture of autopilot and anticipation. By the time she stepped into Midtown Coffee Co., the familiar hum of espresso machines and clattering cups felt sharper than usual, every sound amplified by the nervous flutter in her chest.
"Morning, Mia!" Lauren called from behind the counter, smiling warmly. "You look… different today. Nervous, or are you hiding something?"
"Do i, does it look obvious" Mia said nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Lauren's smile widened. "Oh, you didn't deny it at all. Something is definitely going on. Okay, tell me— is it Mr. Thompson?" she teased.
Mia froze for a second, her fingers tightening around the edge of the counter."What? No—well… I mean…" She let out a nervous laugh, shaking her head. "It's not what you think."
"Okay, what did i think?," Lauren leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Mia, I've known you long enough to tell when something's different. And you only get like this when something gets under your skin."She raised an eyebrow. "So… Mr. Thompson right?"
Mia sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. "He called me last night,"she admitted softly. "We talked. He said he likes me."
Lauren's eyes widened, then softened with excitement "Wow, didn't i said he's into you babe, and what did you said."
"I said we could meet after work,"Mia replied, her voice barely above a whisper."But Lauren… I'm scared. You know what happened last time. I don't want to go through that again."
Lauren reached over and squeezed Mia's hand gently. "I know," she said quietly. "And you don't have to rush anything. Just talk to him. That's all. You deserve something good this time."
Mia nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. As the espresso machine hissed beside her, she tried to calm the storm in her chest—hoping that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
Orders flew in faster than she could count, customers chattered impatiently, and the espresso machines hissed and steamed. Yet no matter how frantic the day became, Mia found herself stealing glances toward the door, half-expecting to see Marcus walk in—or worse, imagining him there. Her heart jumped every time a customer's reflection caught her eye in the glass panels.
The afternoon dragged on, each order and each customer a small distraction from the anticipation building inside her. Finally, as the clock inched closer to closing time, she felt the familiar knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. This was it. Soon, she would see him, and she had no idea what she would say, or how she would act.
The city lights reflected off the wet pavement as Mia stepped out of Midtown coffee co. Marcus was already there, leaning casually against his 2014 Toyota Camry, hands tucked into his coat pockets. He smiled the moment he saw her.
"Hey," he said softly. "Mind if we take a walk"
Mia hesitated. Her heart remembered the last time she had trusted, the way it had hurt. But tonight felt different. Something about him—his patience, his sincerity—made her step forward, then Nodded "yeah... that's fine"
They walked in comfortable silence at first, the distant hum of traffic and the faint laughter from nearby bars filling the air. Marcus kicked a small pebble along the sidewalk.
"So," he began, glancing at her, "how long have you been working at the coffee shop?"
"A years ago," Mia replied. "It wasn't part of the plan, but… life happened." She gave a small, guarded smile.
He didn't press. "Sometimes the unplanned stops teach us the most."
That simple statement surprised her. Most people tried to fix her story before hearing it. She looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time in a long while, she felt safe enough to speak.
"I used to believe love was easy," she said quietly. "Until it wasn't."
Marcus slowed his steps, turning to face her. "I don't think love is easy," he said. "I think it's honest. And honesty can be hard."
" and you, can you be honest with me?." she said facing him
Their eyes met, and the city seemed to soften around them. Mia felt something unfamiliar stirring in her chest—hope, fragile but real.
Marcus didn't answer immediately. He took a slow breath, as though weighing his words carefully. "I've made mistakes," he said at last. "I've been in places where I stayed too long and said too little. But what I feel right now… this is real."
Mia searched his face, looking for cracks, for signs of uncertainty. Instead, she found sincerity—steady and unafraid.
"I'm not here to play games," he continued. "I want something meaningful. Something that grows, even when it's hard."
Her throat tightened. "I was cheated on," she said softly. "It broke something in me. I don't know if I'm ready to trust again."
Marcus nodded, his voice gentle. "Then let me earn it. One day at a time."
The words settled deep within her. For the first time since her heart had been shattered, Mia didn't feel like she was standing alone in the ruins. She felt like someone was willing to help her rebuild—brick by brick, truth by truth. For once, she wasn't rebuilding walls. She was standing on her own feet, uncertain but upright — and that alone felt like progress.
They reached a small park, its benches still damp from the rain. Marcus gestured toward one. "Can I be honest with you?"
She nodded again. "Yes, that's what i needed honesty"
"I've enjoyed every conversation we've had at the shop," he said. "And I know this might be fast, but I don't want to pretend I don't feel something."
"Me too " She said
And as they stood there beneath the glow of streetlights, Mia realized that honesty, when met with patience, could be the beginning of something beautiful.
As they finished there conversation, they both went to a close coffee shop near the park and chills.
After the conversation, they stood quietly for a moment, neither in a hurry to break the spell. The city resumed its rhythm around them, but something between them had shifted—soft, certain, and new.
Marcus glanced at his watch and smiled. "I should probably get you home before it gets too late."
Mia nodded, though part of her wished the night would stretch a little longer. They walked back toward the coffee shop, their hands brushing now and then, each touch sending a gentle reminder that this wasn't imagined.
When they reached his car, Marcus opened the passenger door for her. "Thank you," she said, her voice warm.
"For being honest?" he asked.
"Yes and for listening," she replied.
He paused, then spoke with quiet conviction. "Mia, I don't know where this will lead, but I'd like to find out—with you."
Her heart fluttered. "I'd like that too."
He drove her home, the ride filled with easy conversation and shared laughter. When they stopped in front of her building, neither of them moved right away.
"I had a good time tonight," Marcus said.
"So did I," she answered.
He leaned in, stopping just close enough for her to decide. Mia smiled and closed the distance herself, resting her forehead against his. It wasn't a kiss, but it was a promise—unspoken yet understood.
As she stepped out of the car and walked toward her door, Mia looked back once more. Marcus was still there, watching her with that same gentle smile.
And for the first time in a long time, Mia went to sleep believing that love might be kind after all.
Two weeks later, Mia and Marcus were officially dating.
It wasn't loud or dramatic—no sudden declarations or rushed promises. It was quiet texts in the morning, shared dinners after long days, and walks that stretched late into the night. Marcus was consistent in a way Mia wasn't used to.
She and Marcus had started seeing each other. Nothing rushed. Nothing forced. Coffee dates after her shifts. Evening walks through the city. Quiet conversations that lingered longer than planned. He learned how she took her tea. She learned how he listened—not just to respond, but to understand.
Still , fear follow her everywhere.
Some nights, she lay awake replaying old memories—the betrayal, the lies, the moment she realized love hadn't been what she thought it was. Her heart would tighten, warning her not to fall again.
But this time, she didn't run.
On their fourth date, they sat on the hood of his car, city lights glowing around them. Marcus talked about work, about his childhood, about mistakes he'd made. He never pretended to be perfect.
There was a pause, the kind that carried meaning.
"Mia," Marcus said softly, turning toward her, "you never ask about me… about my family." He offered a small, understanding smile. "I know you're scared. I wouldn't promise perfection—but I can guarantee you this: I will never hurt you."
The words hit her harder than any grand declaration ever had. Mia looked down at her hands resting in her lap, then back at him. "I'm afraid that if I ask, I'll care too much," she confessed. "And caring is what broke me last time."
Marcus reached for her hand, warm and steady. "Caring doesn't make you weak," he said. "It means you're human."
She exhaled slowly, as if releasing something she'd been carrying for months. "Okay," she said at last. "Tell me about your family and your self ."
His eyes softened. He began to talk—about Sunday dinners, about a mother who worried too much and a father who was always busy with his work, about growing up learning that love was something you protected, not something you played with.
As he spoke, Mia listened—really listened. And with every word, a small wall inside her began to crumble.
That night, sitting under the glow of city lights, Mia realized she wasn't just falling for Marcus.
She was choosing to trust again.
The next day, Mia woke up with Marcus's words still echoing in her mind. I will never hurt you. She tried not to hold onto them too tightly, but they stayed with her as she got ready for work at the coffee shop.
Midway through her shift, her phone vibrated in her apron pocket. During her break, she checked it absentmindedly—until the subject line made her freeze.
Congratulations – Biotherm Marketing Department
Her heart pounded as she opened the email. She had been accepted into Biotherm's marketing department as a Marketing Assistant. The message welcomed her warmly and stated her resumption date—two weeks from Monday.
Mia covered her mouth, tears filled her eyes. After everything she'd lost, something was finally going right.
She didn't think twice before calling Lauren.
"Lauren," she whispered the moment the call connected, "I got the job"
Lauren gasped. "congratulation darling, am really happy for you"
"Am starting in the next two weeks "Mia said, smiling through tears. "Biotherm. Marketing department."
After her shift, Mia found herself outside Marcus's place, nervous in a way she hadn't expected. When he opened the door, she blurted it out before fear could stop her.
"I got accepted," she said. "Biotherm. Marketing assistant."
For a second, Marcus just stared—then his face broke into the widest smile. He pulled her into a hug without thinking.
"Wow, that's great" he said " am really proud of you, Mia"
She relaxed against him, feeling something new bloom inside her—confidence. Not because of him, but because of herself.
As she walked home later that night, Mia realized the timing mattered. The job didn't come before Marcus or because of him.
It came after she chose to face life again.
Meanwhile, there was a truth Mia didn't know yet.
The job offer hadn't come by chance.
Marcus was the owner of Biotherm.
For years, he had kept his identity hidden, choosing to operate from behind the scenes. He believed leadership didn't require a spotlight, and very few people within the company had ever seen their CEO in person. To most employees, he was simply a name on official documents—distant, faceless, untouchable.
To Mia, he had been just Marcus.
An ordinary worker. A man who spoke honestly about mistakes. Someone who listened more than he talked.
The night before the email arrived, Marcus sat alone in his apartment, laptop open. Mia's résumé was on the screen—not pulled through favoritism, but through merit. She had passed the interview rounds, impressed the hiring team, and earned her place.
Only then did he authorize the final approval.
He leaned back, conflicted. He hadn't wanted to blur the lines between his personal life and his power. But he also couldn't ignore her talent—or the way she doubted herself.
He knew the truth would come out eventually.
And when it did, it could either deepen her trust—or shatter it completely.
For now, he chose silence, hoping that when the time came, honesty would find its moment.
Because the one thing Marcus feared more than losing control of his company…
…was losing Mia.