Today I was taking Ben to my parents house, he was going to be staying with them for the weekend
"Mom!" I called the moment we stepped in.
My mom walked out from the kitchen, smiling.
"Julie, you're here."
She hugged me tightly.
"Hi grandma." Ben greeted and she hugged him smiling "my beautiful boy, how are you"
"I'm good" he replied. Then Ben ran off to greet my dad, and I followed my mom inside.
After a while, she called me into the kitchen.
"Julie… come, I want to talk to you."
I frowned slightly.
"Is everything ok?" I asked
She looked at me.
"Yes everything is fine but I am worried about you Julie"
I sighed.
"Mom, I'm fine I promise."
She studied my face.
"You haven't been sleeping well," she said softly.
I froze for a second.
Then sighed.
"It's just work. Things at the office are a little complicated." I say and she gives me a questioning look
"You don't have to lie to me Juliana. I am your mother and I know when something is wrong. Talk to me please." She says pleadingly and I sigh
"It's Justin mom"
"What about him?"
"He's back," I say.
"What! What does he want"y mom asks
"He wants to invest in the company."
"The audacity!" she snapped. "I hope you rejected it."
"I did… at first," I said slowly. "But I need the investment, Mom. Especially now—with the new fashion line and everything."
She shook her head.
"But you could find other investors right?" She asked and I sighed
"I just hope you're making the right decision."
Her voice softened.
"I don't want you getting hurt again. Watching you struggle all those years after he left… it wasn't easy for any of us."
My chest tightened.
"I know, Mom," I said quietly. "I promise… nothing will happen."
She looked at me for a moment. "Are you fine" and I shake my head.
"I feel like I am going to explode any moment and what if he finds out Ben is his son. What do I do then" and she hugs me "you do what you do best. Be a mother. You know what is right for Ben and I trust you will do it, so don't let that Bastard make you feel like you did something wrong okay?" She says and I nodded
"Good" then she pulls me into a hug again. My mom always knows how to make me feel better
"Are you two going to leave me out of this conversation?" my dad's voice came from behind us.
We both turned and laughed.
"Dad," I said, smiling.
He walked over and kissed my mom lightly.
I watched them.
And for a moment…
I felt something ache inside me.
I've always admired their love.
The way they understand each other been together for this long
I wanted that.
I thought I had that.
But I was wrong.
"Be a good boy, okay?" I told Ben when I was about to leave
"I will, Mom."
"I'll come pick you up soon."
"I love you."
"I love you more."
When I got home, Stacy was already there.
We spent the evening watching movies, eating snacks, and just relaxing.
Then she turned to me.
"So… ?"
"What" I asked and she sighed
"Tell me how your meeting with Justin went" she said
"I don't know nothing interesting happened."
She rolled her eyes.
"Really. You know things are going to change now that you've accepted this investment right?."
I leaned back.
"I know."
She studied me.
"Julie… are you okay?"
Before I could answer, I said—
"Colin asked me out on a date."
Her face lit up.
"What? That's amazing!"
I smiled slightly.
"Yeah… I said yes."
"Ooooh," she teased. "So when am I meeting him?"
I laughed. "Probably when I meet Daniel"
"Okay fair enough." She raised her hand in defeat
"I'm happy for you," I said. And she smiled
"I'm happy for you too. You have achieved a lot these past few years"
Later that evening, Stacy left.
And I was alone.
My phone rang.
It was Justin
I ignored it.
It rang again.
And again.
On the third call, I picked up.
"What do you want?" I said immediately.
A soft laugh came from the other end.
"Always so aggressive."
I rolled my eyes.
"Justin, what do you want?"
"Nothing," he said. "I just wanted to hear your voice."
I scoffed.
"You're unbelievable."
I was about to hang up—
"Wait," he said quickly. "Please."
I paused.
"Five minutes," I said. "That's all you get."
"Fair enough," he replied.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I was fine before you called," I said. "Now my day is ruined."
He laughed softly.
"Still feisty."
Silence followed.
Then—
"I really want to take you out," he said.
I sighed.
"Justin that's not happening"
"Do you have to fight me every chance you get," he cut in. "Just give me a chance. I promise I won't bring up anything about the past"
I didn't respond immediately.
Something in me…
Hesitated.
"Justin it's late. I need to go to bed," I said finally.
There was a pause.
"Good night, princess," he said softly.
And the call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Princess.
Why does that still affect me?
My heart did that stupid little flip again.
I hate it.
That night, I went to bed.
But my mind wasn't quiet.
The next day…
Was my date with Colin.
Stacy came over early to help me get ready.
"You're nervous," she said, watching me.
"I am," I admitted.
"Relax," she said. "You'll be fine."
When I was finally ready, the doorbell rang.
"He's here!" Stacy whispered excitedly.
I took a deep breath and opened the door.
Colin stood there.
And smiled.
"Wow… you look beautiful."
I rolled my eyes slightly.
"Don't flatter me."
"I'm serious," he said. "You look amazing."
"…Thank you."
We drove to the restaurant together.
It was a dinner date.
We sat across from each other as the waiter took our order.
We started talking.
Laughing.
It felt… easy.
Comfortable.
"So… how's Ben?" Colin asked.
"He's fine," I smiled. "Stressful as always."
He chuckled.
"Where is he?"
"With my parents."
"That's nice."
Then he hesitated.
"I know I shouldn't ask this but… where is his father?"
I paused.
"…It's complicated," I said quietly. "And I don't like talking about it."
He nodded immediately.
"I understand. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
Then suddenly—
The two people walked into the restaurant.
And my heart stopped.
Justin.
Walking in.
With a woman.
Our eyes met instantly.
And everything else faded.
It felt like the world went silent.
Just him.
And me. I don't know how long we started at each other.
"Julie?"
Colin's voice pulled me back.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine," I said quickly.
But I wasn't.
Not at all.
Who is that woman?
Then Justin smiled, but as soon as he saw Colin, his smile faded and I noticed him clench his jaw. Is he angry? Maybe I am just overthinking things. The woman beside him whispered something in his ear and he smiled. Who was she and why was she making him smile. Why the hell do I even care. They both walked to their table.
But Justin kept looking.
At me.
Over and over again.
Ignoring the woman he came with.
The tension became unbearable.
"I'll be right back," I said, standing up.
And I walked to the restroom.
I splashed water on my face.
Trying to calm down.
Trying to breathe.
As I stepped out—
A hand grabbed me suddenly.
And pulled me inside a room.
My heart jumped.
"What the—"
I looked up.
Justin.
"What are you doing?!" I snapped.