Soulmates

Chapter sixteen - Let's make a deal

Jordan's POV:

The stress over the wedding is over. Melanie and I can go back to our routine. It's not like we haven't been doing that for the past week. We have to meet with the person who sells the place. I would love to work with her every day. She is the reason why I started my business. I will always be thankful for what she did for me. Melanie is the best thing that could happen to me. I know that she will always be my side no matter what happens. Sharing my journey with her is perfect. We can do everything together. At least she calmed down a bit. Maybe I shouldn't have told her. I mean, about the angel wing tattoo. That's why I didn't expect her to react like that. I was sure she would get upset. Well, I had no idea that the same thing happened to her. More and more, I realize that we are not that different. It's like we are the same person but in two bodies. This might be one of the reasons why we understand each other so well. I will never leave her, even if she wants me to do it. The good thing is that I stopped getting obsessed with her dress. Let's say that I don't do it that much. The thing is that I have never seen her in a dress before, or at least I don't remember. She looked amazing. She is not wearing it, but I still can't stop looking at her. I hope that she won't mind this.

Melanie and I will meet the person who sells the place. This will be our new coffee shop. We'll decorate it all by ourselves. That was her idea, and I loved it. I started enjoying every single thing that we did together. Nothing has changed in our daily life, but I did. She is like a whole new person to me. I don't know if she has noticed that. Hopefully not. Otherwise, I expect her to start making fun of me. I don't mind, but it's better if it doesn't happen.

I woke up an hour ago. It was too early to get up, so I stayed in bed. Melanie was sleeping. Call me a creep, but I won't stop looking at her. I started playing with her hair, and she snuggled. I think I feel the same way as her. She won't do anything to herself. Well, I can't help it. Maybe we fell too deep. It's too late. There is no going back. It's not like I will do that. I love her more than anything. Melanie is the only reason why I'm doing all this. After some time, she pulled away and looked at me.

- Good morning. Do you feel well? - Melanie asked

- Perfect.

- Then why are you looking at me like that?

- Like what?

- I don't know. You look worried.

- No, I'm fine. We should talk with the man today.

- I know, but don't change the topic. What is going on?

- Nothing.

- Jordan, please.

- You won't do it again, right?

- Do what?

- That thing.

- We have talked about it. I feel better now. Please, don't get me worried again. I want to move on.

- I'm sorry. I can't help it.

- Don't worry. We should go ahead and move on. How about we spend the rest of the day outside? I mean, after we meet with the man. What do you say?

- What about Cassie and Josh? We can't leave them alone.

- True. Maybe after dinner.

- That's more likely to happen.

- If we buy the place, we need to hire two more people to work with Cassie and Josh.

- Yes, but who? We took Cassie because we know her. Josh was lucky. I don't know if I can find someone like him.

- I'm sure someone will pop up.

- Maybe.

- How was last night? You didn't tell me anything.

- We didn't do much. The boys and I only went out for dinner.

- How are Dylan and Chelsea?

- A bit better. She has talked with him. That's it.

- I have the feeling that she isn't the only problem.

- Dylan plans to quit his job.

- Why?

- He doesn't feel good there.

- Where will he work then?

- I have no idea. He didn't say anything.

- Hopefully, his new job will make him feel better. I have noticed that for the past month, he hasn't been in the mood at all.

- I don't know what is going on. He doesn't talk much.

- If I have more free time this week, I'll talk with him.

- Thanks.

Melanie and I went for breakfast. Later, we walked out. The meeting with the man is soon. We decided to meet in front of the place. I think it's spacious enough to be a coffee shop. We can put a few tables here. Mostly our customers buy coffee for home. I mean, they don't drink it in the shop. Melanie and I arrived and waited for the man. Soon, he came and let us in. The place looks perfect for what we need. What surprised me was the price. It was cheap compared to what we paid for the other shops. There are two options. This is a scam, or the man only wants to get rid of the place. I don't see another reason.

- What do you think? The place is good. Right? - the man asked

- Yes, it is. I'm sorry, but I have to ask. Is the price the same as on the website? - Melanie asked

- It is. I'm selling it for fifteen thousand dollars.

- Can we negotiate? - I asked

- No, it's final. Please, buy it. I have been trying to sell this for months. No one wants it. That's why I put such a low price.

- Do you think we can work this out?

- Yes, why not? We can decorate it the way we want. - Melanie said

- In that case, we'll buy it.

- Great. When can we meet to take care of everything? I carry the documents with me. - the man said

- I don't have the money in me. If you want, we can go to the bank.

- I would love to. Once we are done, you two can take care of the place. Hopefully, your store will be more successful.

- We, too. Did you come walking?

- Yes, why?

- We have a car. Jump in. It will be faster.

- Thanks.

We went to the bank to give the man the money. He gave us the key and the documents. Of course, I read everything before he left. I wanted to make sure that he was not scamming us. Later, Melanie and I went to visit the place. We made some plans for the way we'll order everything. I don't know if we can open it before Christmas. We have less than a month and a lot of work. This time, we'll do everything alone. After some time, we came back to work.

- Hey, Josh. I hope I wasn't gone for too long.

- No, it's ok. I managed to do everything alone.

- That's great.

- Did you buy it?

- Yes, we did.

- So I won't work with you anymore.

- You still will do it. For now. Melanie and I will find new workers for you and Cassie. We can't leave you alone.

- Hopefully, he will be like you.

- If you want, I can hire your neighbor.

- No, no. Please, don't do it.

- I was joking.

- Hey.

- Dylan? Are you ok?

- Give me five shots.

- What? I'm not doing that.

- Here is my money.

- Dylan, drinking is not a solution.

- Will you do it or not?

- No.

- Fine. I'll go to another place.

- Wait! Sit down. I'll make you one.

- Five.

- One. That's it.

- Good.

- Is he ok? - Josh asked, whispering

- No.

- I see.

- Here you go. Now you should tell me what is going on. You were supposed to be working.

- I quit.

- What? Already? Last night, you said you would think about it.

- I don't feel good there.

- What is happening with you? Please, tell me. I'm getting worried. You can count on me for everything.

- I know, but I don't want to talk about it.

- Where will you work now?

- I don't know. I plan to rest for a while. I can't work like that.

- Did you tell this to everyone?

- Not yet. You are the first one.

- They need to know.

- I will talk with them at home.

- If you say so. I hope that you will do it. They deserve to know.

- Sure.

- Do you want us to go out tonight? It can be only us.

- No, thanks. Next time.

- Will there be next time?

- I don't know.

- Take care of yourself.

- I will.

I talked with Dylan for some time. No matter how much I asked, he didn't tell me anything. I don't know what happened. He was fine. It's like something snapped out, and he is gone. I can't let him give up. I gave him only two shots. I don't mind giving him more, but this won't resolve his problems. I have no idea where he went after he left the shop. I continued working for the rest of the afternoon. When I went home, Melanie was already there. I guess she has been waiting for me. Judging by the look on her face, she doesn't have good news for me.

- Hey, are you ok? What happened?

- Chelsea came to the shop today. Dylan wants to move out.

- What? Where?

- No one knows.

- He didn't tell me that today.

- You saw him?

- Yes, he came to the shop. He told me that he quit his job.

- What? Why?

- He doesn't feel good there.

- Jordan, we have to do something. We can't leave him like that.

- I know, but he barely talks. How can I help him if I don't know the problem?

- We can't let the same story repeat.

- What do you mean?

- Us. I'm afraid that he might do something to himself.

- What? I don't believe it.

- You don't know what is going on in his brain.

- True. I think Chelsea is the only one who can fix everything.

- How?

- If she tells him how she feels, he might get better. She can help him.

- I know, but he is determined. Dylan wants to move out.

- I will talk with him.

- Can he live here?

- What?

- We are his friends. He quit his job. Do you think he can pay rent?

- No. I didn't think of that.

- We can help him. Also, he can help us with the shop. That way, he will be busy with something.

- That is a good idea. This might be a distraction for him.

- See? What do you say?

- I agree. We can call him after dinner.

- Do you think he will be ok? I can't keep seeing him like that.

- I do. You don't have to worry about him. We'll help him.

Melanie and I kept talking. Dylan didn't mention anything about moving out. I don't understand why he wants to get distant from everyone. We called him after dinner. Somehow, he agreed to come home. I should say thanks to Melanie. She convinced him. I know he has problems, but this is why we are his friends. He can trust us. I have no idea what happened to him. It's like he lost his passion for life. No one said it's easy, but it's not mission impossible. Maybe we can do something to cheer him up. This might make him feel better. I hope that we can help him.