Where the Rain Found Us – Part 12: The Voice on the Other End
605 Words
The Sunday morning sun was unforgiving. It hit the unpacked boxes in Amara’s apartment, lighting up the dust motes dancing in the air. The romantic storm of Wednesday felt like a lifetime ago.
Daniel was buttoning his shirt, his suitcase standing by the door like a silent judge. He was leaving for the airport in an hour.
“I’ll call you the second I land,” he said, reaching for his watch.
“I know,” Amara replied, leaning against the kitchen counter. She was wearing his oversized hoodie, trying to hold onto the scent of him before the long-distance void opened up again.
⸻
Suddenly, Daniel’s phone vibrated on the marble tabletop. The caller ID showed a name that made his posture instantly stiffen: "Mother."
He hesitated for a second too long before picking up.
“Hello, Mama,” he said, his voice dropping into a formal, respectful tone that Amara had never heard before.
“Yes, I’m at the airport soon... No, the meetings went well... I’ll be back for the board dinner on Tuesday.”
⸻
Amara watched him. His face had changed. The relaxed, loving man who had chased her through the rain was gone, replaced by the dutiful son and the serious businessman.
“Mama, I told you, I was delayed by the weather,” Daniel continued, glancing nervously at Amara. “I’m coming home. We can discuss the merger then.”
He listened for a long moment, his jaw tightening. “Yes. I understand. I’m not losing focus. I’ll see you soon.”
⸻
He hung up and let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for years.
“Everything okay?” Amara asked, her voice cautious.
“My mother,” he sighed, rubbing his temples. “She’s… traditional. She’s heard rumors that I’ve been ‘distracted’ while I’ve been here. She thinks I’m losing my grip on the firm.”
“Distracted?” Amara’s heart sank. “Is that what I am? A distraction?”
⸻
“No, Amara, that’s not what I mean. But to her, anything that isn't the family business is a waste of time. She’s already arranged a dinner with the daughter of one of our partners. It’s business, but she’s making it look like a setup.”
The room felt colder. Amara thought about the contract she had torn up for him. She had sacrificed her "Lead Director" dream, but Daniel was still playing by his mother’s rules.
“Are you going to go?” she asked.
“I have to, Amara. It’s the board dinner. If I don't show up, it looks like I’m abandoning my responsibilities. You of all people should understand that.”
⸻
“I understand responsibilities, Daniel. I also understand that I just gave up my entire career path to be ‘available’ for a man whose mother is setting him up on dates the moment he leaves my sight.”
“It’s not a date!” Daniel snapped, then immediately softened his voice. “I’m sorry. I’m just stressed. This transition… it’s harder than I thought it would be.”
⸻
The Uber notification chirped on his phone. Your driver is outside.
He grabbed his suitcase and walked over to her, pulling her into a kiss that felt more like a goodbye than a "see you soon."
“Trust me,” he whispered against her hair.
“I’m trying,” she said, but as she watched him walk out the door, she realized she didn't just have to compete with the distance anymore.
She had to compete with a legacy she didn't even know existed.
- Writer
