When Love visits Again

I Miss You

*Present Day*

My phone began to ring, shattering the silence of my thoughts.

I sat up straight on my chair, my heart still pounding from the sudden interruption, as my phone rang again. The familiar ringtone jolted me back to reality, reminding me that I was no longer the frightened young girl on a plane to a new life.

I already knew who was calling me. My friend Gabrielle was the only one who called my phone randomly. My publisher hardly called unless she communicated before that. She knew how much phone calls gave me anxiety. I smiled as I picked up the call.

"Hey Elle," I said, the anxiety from the flashback already dissipating at the sound of her cheerful voice.

"Hey Sis! I miss you so much," Gabrielle exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rapid-fire stream. "This work trip is so boring, I can't wait to come visit you guys. You won't believe how much I miss your cooking and babysitting my cute niece. And don't even get me started on the scenery here—urgh."

I laughed, feeling my heart lighten as she prattled on.

I was lucky to have met Gabrielle four years ago when I was a pregnant freelance writer applying to different companies. The company she worked for hired me to help enhance their marketing presence, and that's where I met the selfless and kind Gabrielle, who was just an assistant by then.

Over the years, she's been promoted to manage her department, a position I couldn't see anyone more deserving of. Our friendship has continued to grow ever since our first encounter.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Gabrielle exclaimed, interrupting my reminiscing. "Guess who I met while I was away?

"Oh, Elle," I said, shaking my head with a smile as I leaned back in my chair, picturing her animated expressions even though we were miles apart. "You're something else, you know that? Let me guess, another handsome beau who set your heart on fire?” I retorted, smiling.

“ Not even close, this time around I'm working on getting you on a real date,” she replied.

“ No thanks. Anyway, how much longer do you have on this trip?"

"Just one more week, thank God," she groaned. "But listen, I miss you guys so much."

"We miss you too. Annie's been asking about you nonstop," I replied.

"So, what's been going on with you?" she asked, her tone growing more serious. "You sound distracted today, are you good?" I knew I could never lie to her.

"Yeah, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," I said, biting my lip. "Remember that pitch we've been sending to Blaq Olive for months? Well, guess what."

"What!" she exclaimed, her voice full of excitement. I couldn't help but giggle at her dramatic response, and I knew she must be jumping all over the place.

"Blaq Olive has finally accepted our pitch!" I exclaimed, barely able to contain my own excitement.

"No way!" she shouted, her voice rising with excitement. "This is incredible, Kiara! They must have finally seen the potential in your writing. I'm so proud of you! But wait, why don't you sound more excited? There's a catch, isn't there?"

She paused, "I bet they want you to pay ridiculous amounts of money for the interview, don't they?”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.” No, it's not about the money," I replied, my voice shaky with emotion.

"Well, there's a catch. They want the interview to take place in my hometown.”

Elle's silence spoke volumes. "Your hometown? "Oh God, no. That can't be right. You mean the hometown you haven't been back to since you left? That's just... I don't even know what to say. Why would they insist on that?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly. I could almost feel her concern through the phone.

"I don't know," I said, feeling my heart sink. "But they won't budge. They've made that one clear, it's either I go or they choose a different writer. It's this location or nothing. My publisher thinks it has to do with Blaq Olive's preference for visiting remote areas during his downtime. He likes to retreat from the spotlight, and by the look of things, my hometown is his favourite getaway spot this year.

"Kiara..." she began, her voice soft and reassuring.

I sighed, letting the weight of the news settle in. "I know, Elle. Believe me, I know.

This is a huge opportunity, and I don't want to throw it away. I just... I don't know if I can handle going back there."

"Kiara, listen to me," she said, her voice forever gentle.

"You're not the same vulnerable girl you were when you left," she added. "You've built a life for yourself, you've got Annie, you've got a successful career. You're strong, Kiara. I know it's not going to be easy, but you've got this. And I got you too, all the way."

I really felt her words deep down, but a part of me still felt uncertain. "I know you're right," I replied. "But it's not just about me. It's about Annie, too. What if going back there messes up the normal happy life she has here? I can't put her through that. What if Aron tries to take her away from me?” I swallowed hard. "Elle. I'm so scared.

She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"Kiara, listen to me," she began, "I know you're scared, but you can't let that hold you back. She paused for a moment, her words sinking in. "And besides," she added, "Aron's not the same person he used to be either. He's a celebrity now, with a public image to maintain. He won't be able to pull the same stunts he did before.”

"You're right," I said, feeling courage ignite within me. "I'm not going to let him get to me. I've built a new life here, and nothing is going to change that."

Elle let out a relieved sigh. "That's the spirit, Kiara! You know, maybe this is a chance for you to confront your past and show yourself just how far you've come. I'll be right by your side, every step of the way."

"Thank you, Elle. What would I ever do without you?" I replied, a small smile creeping onto my lips.

“I love you too Sis, now stop worrying about that interview. We'll prepare for it when I get there soon. Now worry about the new date I've been trying to arrange for you.” She replied, laughing.

"Oh, please, I already know it's not going to work out," I retorted. "You don't even know my type."

"I know just enough," she insisted. "You are a sucker for true love. You want a kind but firm man who knows how to handle himself out there. You need a family man, a hopeless romantic who's kind but firm, and let's face it, you want someone handsome enough to stop time when he walks by.” I chuckled at her description.

"Well, I've got just the guy for you," she continued, her voice brimming with confidence. "He fits the bill perfectly. I worked with his company last week and, trust me, he's intimidating but I know he'd be good for you."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "Oh, sure. Sounds like another interesting character for my upcoming book. Thanks, Sis. I'll enjoy writing about this one."

"Well, you'd better enjoy meeting him too," Gabrielle shot back, her tone teasing but firm. "I'm not asking for permission. But if afterwards you believe you're not just cut out for each other I'll respect your views.” She added, closing the argument.

I groaned, but couldn't help but laugh at Gabrielle's persistence.

"Okay, fine. If it will make you happy, I'll find time to go on the date, though I don't see it happening soon due to my current issues. And I'm not making any promises regarding this date."

"That's all I ask," Gabrielle replied, a smile evident in her voice. "Just give him a chance. You never know, he might surprise you."

"Okay, okay," I said, still shaking my head in disbelief."So, humour me and tell me more about this mysterious man.”

She went into reporter mode describing this mysterious in vivid detail. I don't even know why I got butterflies and all that excitement just at the description of this strange character. I quickly brushed it off and chuckled listening to my bestie trying to convince me as if I was one of her clients at the company. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.