Fetish

Episode: 8 Leap of Faith

"Sometimes, one decision quietly divides your life into before... and after."

I spent three days trying to convince myself that I hadn't already made my decision.

It didn't work.

Every lecture felt longer than usual.

Every assignment became another reminder that soon, university would be over, and I'd still be asking myself the same question.

Now what?

My classmates spoke excitedly about articles, internships and graduate programs.

I smiled when they spoke to me.

I congratulated them.

But inside...

I wondered if my future existed somewhere much farther away than any of us imagined.

Los Angeles.

The thought no longer felt impossible.

It felt...

Possible.

And that was somehow even scarier.

That evening, after dinner, I sat alone on the small balcony outside my apartment.

The sun had already disappeared below the horizon, leaving the sky painted in deep shades of violet.

I unlocked my phone.

Three unread messages.

All from Dominic.

Dominic: Good morning.

A second message, twenty minutes later.

I hope your lecture went well.

The third had arrived only a few minutes ago.

No pressure. Take all the time you need.

I smiled.

It was just after eight in the evening in South Africa.

Which meant...

It was only late morning in Los Angeles.

He'd probably just finished his first meeting.

I pressed the call button before I could overthink it.

The line rang once.

Twice.

Then—

"Good morning, Iddie."

His voice carried the same calm confidence it always did.

"You answered quickly."

"I was hoping you'd call."

I tucked my legs beneath me on the chair.

"I've been thinking."

"I know."

"I don't think you do."

A quiet chuckle.

"I probably don't."

I took a deep breath.

"I've researched the law firm."

Silence.

"I looked up the attorneys."

Another pause.

"The position is real."

"It is."

"I even found the apartment building you mentioned."

"And?"

"It exists."

Another soft laugh.

"Iddie..."

"...did you think I'd invent an apartment?"

"I don't know what to think anymore."

"That's fair."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The evening breeze lifted a strand of my hair.

"I need to ask you something."

"Anything."

"If I come..."

"...what exactly are you expecting from me?"

The silence stretched just long enough for my heart to begin racing.

When he answered, his voice was steady.

"To attend your interview."

I blinked.

"That's it?"

"If you're offered the position and you accept it..."

"...then you begin your career."

"And us?"

He didn't answer immediately.

When he finally did...

"I'd like the chance to get to know you in the same city."

"Nothing more?"

"Iddie."

His voice softened.

"You've worked too hard for your future."

"I won't ask you to risk it for a relationship."

My chest tightened.

"I would never forgive myself if you gave up your dreams because of me."

A lump formed in my throat.

In that moment...

I understood something about Dominic.

He wasn't trying to become the center of my world.

He wanted to be part of it.

"I spoke to my mother."

"How did it go?"

"She told me not to let fear make my decision."

"I think she's very wise."

I smiled.

"She is."

"And your friend?"

"Lindiwe told me to verify everything."

"I hope you did."

"I did."

Another brief silence settled between us.

Then he spoke.

"So..."

"Have you reached a decision?"

I closed my eyes.

Every fear I'd carried for weeks was still there.

Nothing had disappeared.

I was still terrified.

Still uncertain.

Still stepping into the unknown.

But beneath all of that...

For the first time in a long time...

I was hopeful.

I smiled to myself.

Then I whispered the words that would change my life forever.

"I'll come."

The line remained silent.

Not awkwardly.

Almost reverently.

Finally, Dominic spoke.

"Then we'll start preparing."

No shouting.

No dramatic declarations.

Just quiet certainty.

"As soon as your visa is approved, I'll arrange for someone from the firm to meet you."

"And the apartment?"

"I'll send you the lease to review first."

I laughed softly through tears.

"You've already thought of everything."

"I've had three days."

For the first time since this journey began...

I wasn't afraid of what came next.

I was excited to meet it.