I wake up slowly, stretching a little as the morning light slips into the room.
For a moment, I just lie there.
Then I turn my head…
And see Stacy sleeping beside me.
I smile.
Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without her.
She has always been there for me.
No matter what.
I'm really lucky to have a best friend like her.
Carefully, I get out of bed without waking her up and head to the kitchen.
I was in a really good mood today. I decided to make something very delicious for breakfast
A few minutes later, I'm already busy flipping pancakes when I hear footsteps behind me.
"Wow… someone is in a good mood," Stacy says, walking in. "Is that such a bad thing" I ask smiling and she shrugs. "just curious considering you were a mess last night" she says snd sits on the counter and i shake my head. Minutes later Ben walks in "morning mom" he greets and sits beside Stacy "morning sweetie hope you had a good night" I reply and he nods his head.
"Mom, you're smiling a lot today. Is everything fine?" he asks
"what is it with the both of you and me smiling" I ask and they both shrug.
"Anyways I was thinking… we should go to the beach today."
They both look at me.
"The beach?" Ben asks, his eyes lighting up.
"Yes," I say. "Just to relax. Clear our heads."
"That's actually a really good idea," Stacy says.
Then her expression changes.
"Oh… wait. I can't go."
"Why?" I ask.
"I have a date today," she says, smiling. "Daniel is taking me to the movies."
I smile.
"Of course. Go have fun. You deserve it."
"Are you sure?" she asks.
"Yeah," I reply. "We'll be fine."
After breakfast, Stacy gets ready and leaves.
Ben and I pack a few things and head out.
The beach is calm and beautiful.
The sound of the waves instantly relaxes me.
"Mom! can I go and build sandcastles with the other kids!" Ben says excitedly.
"of course but stay close" I reply.
"I will!" he says, running off.
I smile and head to the juice stand nearby.
"Strawberry or mango…" I mumble, staring at both drinks
"I'd go for the strawberry."
I turn slightly.
A man stands beside me.
I frown. "excuse me?"
He shrugs lightly. "The drink, I'd go for the strwberry." He replies and then he walks away.
I stare after him.
"so ma'am should I bring the strawberry?" the girl behind the counter asks. "yes pls" I say and she hands me the strawberry juice and I go back to my mat lying down with a novel.
For once, everything feels peaceful.
"I see you took my advice."
I look up.
Him again.
"You again?" I say.
He smiles slightly. "Yes. Sorry about earlier."
I sit up a little. "yh no problem the strawberry is actually good" I say
"I'm Colin." He says
"Julie," I reply.
"Nice to meet you, Julie."
He sits down beside me.
"So… are you here alone or with someone?" he asks.
I shake my head. "With my son." I reply waiting for him to walk away like every other guy whenever they find out I have a son. "So you're married then" he says and I sigh "No just me and my son"
He lets out a small breath.
"Thank God."
I raise a brow.
He chuckles.
"Let's just say… I once had a bad experience with a married woman. I'm not trying to repeat that mistake."
I blink.
"…Okay."
Then I look at him.
"You're not… disappointed that I have a son?"
He looks at me like that's the strangest question.
"Why would I be?"
I don't answer.
"Honestly," he adds, "I think it's cute."
I don't know why…
But that makes me smile a little.
We start talking.
And talking.
And talking.
It's easy.
Comfortable.
No tension.
Just… conversation.
"Mom!"
Ben runs towards us.
"I'm hungry!"
I laugh softly. "Already?" He doesn't notice Colin at first till he speaks up"Hi there champ. What's your name" Colin asks and Ben frowns "I'm Ben, who are you" "Well Ben I'm your mother's friend" Colin says smiling "I know all of my mom's friends and I have never seen you before" Ben replies "well that because I am a new friend"Colin says "He's smart" "I know. my teachers tell me all the time" Ben replies "And fiesty like his mum" Colin replies laughing "How about this Ben I buy whatever food you like at the resort"
"Are you trying to bribe me" Ben asks folding his hands and I laughed "yes is it working" Colin asks and Ben then thinks carefully "maybe" he replies
"I can work with that" Colin says. "If you two are done bickering we can start going" I say and they both nod. We head to the beach resort to eat. While we were waiting for our food Ben and Colin are in some heated argument about superman vs Batman and I just smile watching them. It makes me wonder if Justin and Ben would get along if they knew the truth about each other.
But I quickly push the thought away. After their argument we talked about different stuffs and I felt a lot of weight lifted of my shoulders. I didn't realize how much I needed this.
After we finish eating, we were taking a stroll down the beach and Colin turns to me
"I'd like to see you again julie, I really had a nice time today" he says and I smile "me too"
"Can I have your number then" he says nervously
I hesitate.
Then slowly…
I give it to him.
He smiles.
"I'll call you."
"Okay," I reply.
Then he escorts Ben and I to the car
"It was nice meeting you, Julie."
"You too." I say then he turns to Ben "it was nice meeting you too Ben" he says and Ben smiles "Bye Mr Colin" he says and Colin smiles.
Then he smiles at me and leaves.
Later, Ben and I return home.
He's exhausted.
I take him to his room and tuck him in.
Then I head to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
My phone rings.
Unknown number.
I pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Hi… it's Colin."
I smile without realizing.
"Oh… hi."
"I just wanted to make sure you got home safely," he says.
"I did. Thanks."
"Good," he says. "I had a great time today."
"Me too."
"Hopefully, I'll see you again soon."
"Yeah… maybe."
We end the call.
That night, after dinner and cleaning up, I go to bed.
And for the first time in a long time…
I sleep peacefully.
The next morning, I wake up feeling… lighter.
Yesterday really helped.
After dropping Ben at school, I head to the office.
Stacy walks in shortly after.
"So? How was the beach?" she asks.
"It was good and I met a guy," I say smiling. "Really oh my God I am so happy for you" she says smiling "so what's his name"
"Colin. And the best part is he didn't walk away when he found out I had a son" I say remembering how Colin and Ben got along so easily "of course who would walk away from a beauty like you" she says and I smile.
Then I take a breath.
"I've decided… I'm going to accept the investment."
Her eyes widen.
"Really?"
I nod.
"Yes. But I'm not attending any meetings
You'll handle everything," I say. "On my behalf."
She smiles.
"Of course. No problem."
"Thank you."
After that, I focus on my work.
After a long day at work, I packed up my things and went to pick Ben from school.
The moment he saw me, he ran straight into my arms.
"Mom!"
I laughed softly, hugging him tightly.
"How was school?"
"It was fun," he said.
"Ready to go home?" I asked him.
"Yes!" he said happily.
When we got home, Ben ran upstairs to his room to do his assignments.
I changed into something comfortable and made dinner. After dinner Ben went back upstairs to his room while I tidied up.
I decided to watch a movie.
Just something to relax my mind.
For a few minutes, everything felt calm.
Peaceful.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
I frowned. Who could that be by this time.
I wasn't expecting anyone.
Stacy didn't say she was coming.
I muted the TV and stood up slowly.
The knock came again.
This time, a little firmer.
I walked to the door, my heart beating slightly faster for no reason.
I opened it.
And everything froze.
Justin.
Standing right in front of me.
For a second…
I couldn't breathe.
What is he doing here?
How did he even find my house?
My mind started racing.
Questions after questions.
But no words came out.
We just stood there.
Staring at each other.
Like time had stopped. "Hi" he says smiling