Captured by: Love Or Hatred?

Sunrise, Coffee & Me

Chapter 10: Sunrise, Coffee & Me

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It’s been three days since Ben left for his vacation.

Three days of photos, random updates, and unnecessary commentary about how much "fun" he’s having— as if I need a constant reminder that he’s out there enjoying himself while I’m drowning in work.

Still... I’m genuinely happy for him.

Really.

The only downside is the masterpiece of a deal we made before he left. According to that ridiculous, overprotective, completely unnecessary arrangement, I have to call him three times a day.

Three. Times. A. Day.

It didn’t sound reasonable even when I suggested it. And in reality, it isn’t either.

Not when my day barely leaves me enough time to breathe, let alone report my existence at fixed intervals.

Yet, I still stick to it— not because I have to, but because I know him.

I don’t trust him to stay on his vacation if something feels off. I don’t trust him to ignore even the slightest change in my voice. He’d abandon his vacation and come back in the middle of the trip without a second thought.

And I don’t want that.

So yes... I call him. Every single time.

The last three days have slipped by in a blur of deadlines, meetings, phone calls, and promises kept. Somewhere between work and keeping my word, another week has quietly come to an end.

Now it's Saturday night, and I'm still sitting in my room with my laptop open, files scattered across the desk, my work stretching far longer than it should.

Weekend.

The word feels ironic.

I haven't stepped out. I haven't taken a proper break. I haven't done anything remotely close to "fun." Instead, I somehow agreed to help a friend finish his work, and I'm willing to bet he's out there partying his a*s off while I'm stuck here cleaning up his mess.

By the time I finally shut my laptop, the silence feels unfamiliar. I stretch, letting the tension ease slightly, and exhale.

" Phew… "

The sound escapes me quietly, more relief than exhaustion.

Tomorrow is Sunday.

And for once… I don’t have anything urgent lined up.

No deadlines. No obligations.

Just time.

Time For myself.

The thought feels strange— almost unfamiliar— but not unwelcome.

I lean back slightly, my mind drifting to the day I had planned for tomorrow.

Nothing extravagant.

Nothing luxurious.

Just... the kind of day that had slowly become a rare luxury in my life. I had already made a mental list.

Wake up around five and cycle to the hill before sunrise. There was something oddly peaceful about watching the first rays spill across the horizon from up there. It had been months since I'd last gone, and I missed that quiet more than I cared to admit.

On the way back, maybe take the longer route through the woods instead of rushing home. No destination. No schedule. Just ride until I felt like turning back.

After that, a long, relaxing shower. Call Ben— obviously. That wasn't negotiable. Then I'd spend a few hours painting while blasting music loud enough to annoy the neighbors. It had been far too long since I'd last picked up a brush, and I could already imagine the comfort of watching colors slowly come to life on a blank canvas.

If I finished early enough, I might even wander around the city in the evening without any particular destination in mind.

And to end the day... I'd attempt to grill chicken barbecue.

Keyword: attempt.

It would never taste as good as Ben's cooking, but there was no harm in trying. The best part was that no one else would be around to suffer the consequences if I failed miserably.

Finally, I'd take a bottle of red wine, a packet of Doritos, and sit beneath the open sky for a while.

No deadlines.

No expectations.

No responsibilities.

Just a day that belonged entirely to me.

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips before I even realized it.

" Yeah... that will do, " I murmured.

It felt... Enough.

Thinking about tomorrow, I get up from my chair and place my laptop and phone on the study table. With work finally out of the way, I head toward the kitchen to make myself something quick— instant noodles sounded more than good enough at this hour.

Just as I'm about to head toward the kitchen, my phone buzzes.

It's Lucas. Of course.

I pick it up, already expecting something completely unnecessary, and open his message.

' Hey. Tomorrow I'm going to Johnson's Orphanage for the monthly visit. The director told me the kids have been asking about you. '

Beneath it, his second message reads:

' Would you like to come along? '

" But not tomorrow... " I murmur under my breath. Then I notice the two missed calls he'd made earlier that evening. I never called him back.

' Seriously, Jenn.' A quiet sigh escapes me.

My gaze drifts back to the study table, where my laptop still sits beside the notebook I'd used to plan tomorrow.

My ME Day.

I'd been looking forward to it all week.

I deserved that day... Didn't I?

A day without deadlines.

Without anyone needing anything from me.

But then... The excitement that spreads across those little faces the moment they see someone familiar walk through the gate.

The way they come running without a second thought, all trying to tell me different stories at once, convinced that theirs deserves to be heard first.

The silly games we play, where they somehow manage to gang up on me every single time.

The drawings they practically shove into my face, waiting with sparkling eyes for my reaction as though they've just handed me the greatest masterpiece in the world.

For a few hours, they don't think about what they've lost.

And somehow... Neither do I.

" Fine, " I murmur.

The decision settles quietly within me. No hesitation. No resistance. Just a quiet certainty I'd known all along.

I smiled faintly before typing back, ' Count me in. I wouldn't miss seeing my little troublemakers. '

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Sunday morning arrives softer than expected. The air is cool as I step out with my cycle, the streets quieter than usual, the world not fully awake yet.

By the time I reach the hill, the horizon begins to shift. Light spreading slowly.

Steadily.

No rush.

No urgency.

For a moment… everything feels still. Peaceful.

I stand there longer than I intended to, watching the sun rise as the quiet slowly settles into me.

" Worth it, " I whisper.

For a view like this, even dragging my sleepy a*s out of bed at five in the morning feels like a fair trade.

And I mean it.

By the time I get back home, the city is finally beginning to wake up. After a long shower, I pull on a pair of black jeans and a loose sweatshirt, leaving my hair to dry naturally over my shoulders instead of reaching for the blow dryer.

I fasten the small triangular pendant around my neck, the tiny infinity symbol at its center. My thumb lingers over it for a moment before I let it rest against my chest.

I fasten the watch Ben gave me on my twenty-fifth birthday around my wrist. It's become as much a part of my routine as my morning coffee.

By the time I sit down for breakfast with a steaming mug of coffee and a couple of toast slices, I make my first call of the day.

To Ben.

Of course.

We spend the next few minutes catching each other up on our mornings. I tell him about cycling to the hill for sunrise, while he happily informs me that his vacation is going wonderfully— as though the endless photos he keeps sending weren't proof enough.

Naturally, the conversation takes a turn when he asks about my plans for the rest of the day.

The moment I mention that Lucas is picking me up to visit Johnson's Orphanage, he gives me a look that immediately puts me on guard.

" So... " He begins, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

" Convenient timing, isn't it? The moment I leave town, you're already making plans with Lucas. "

I let out an exaggerated sigh and roll my eyes so hard they almost hurt.

" Seriously? You're the last person who gets to say that when you're out there having the time of your life with Aunt Marina, and somehow I'm the one getting interrogated? "

Ben snorts. " I'm on vacation. I'm allowed to have fun."

" Exactly," I shoot back. " So stop worrying about what I'm doing and enjoy yourself for a change. "

He studies me for a moment through the screen, the teasing smile fading just enough for the father figure beneath it to show.

" I am enjoying myself, " He says. " That doesn't mean I stop worrying about you. "

I sigh dramatically. " You know, most people go on vacation to relax. "

" I am relaxed. "

I raise an eyebrow.

" Ben, you've managed to question me about where I'm going, who I'm going with, what time I'll be back, and whether I've eaten— all within the first five minutes of this call. "

He doesn't look the least bit ashamed.

" And? "

I let out an incredulous laugh.

" You're unbelievable. "

A smug smile spreads across his face.

" Yet you still answer every question. "

" Only because arguing with you is somehow even more exhausting. "

" Smart girl. "

" Don't push it, old man. "

His laughter fills the speakers, warm and familiar, and despite myself, I find myself smiling too.

Some things never change.

And honestly... I wouldn't have them any other way.

After another round of unnecessary advice from his side and equally unnecessary eye-rolling from mine, we finally end the call.

I clear the breakfast dishes, grab my bag, and settle onto the couch with another cup of coffee while waiting for Lucas.

By the time I'm completely ready, it's already past nine, and the man who'd insisted I be ready on time is nowhere to be seen. The irony isn't lost on me.

As I finish half of my second cup of coffee and let out an annoyed sigh.

" Unbelievable, " I mutter, checking the time for what feels like the tenth time.

Just as I'm about to call him, my phone rings.

Lucas.

" I'm outside. "

Of course he is.

I grab my bag, step outside, and lock the door behind me, checking everything twice out of habit. Ben's habit, technically. Some habits have a way of becoming your own.

As I make my way across the front yard, I spot Lucas climbing out of his car.

It's only been a few days since we last saw each other. He smiles the moment he notices me.

Big mistake.

" Well, look who finally decided to show up. " I slid my sunglasses slightly down the bridge of my nose and fixed him with a thoroughly unimpressed stare

Instead of looking apologetic, the shameless man had the audacity to laugh.

I let out an exaggerated sigh before raising my hand, leaving only the tiniest gap between my thumb and index finger

" I was this close to filing a missing person report. "

His laughter only seemed to grow louder, earning him an even sharper glare from me. Completely unfazed, he slipped his hands into his pockets, looking far too amused with himself before raising a questioning eyebrow.

" Really? "

" Absolutely. I was already rehearsing my statement for the police. "

" And what exactly were you planning to tell them? "

I clear my throat, adopting my most serious expression.

" Yes, Officer. He told me to be ready by nine, disappeared without a trace, and left me to finish two cups of coffee while waiting. I believe I've been emotionally abandoned. "

Lucas stares at me for a beat before pinching the bridge of his nose.

" Emotionally abandoned? "

" It's a very serious crime. "

" Is it? "

" In my court, absolutely. "

He lets out a resigned laugh, shaking his head. " You know, I was going to apologize. "

" Past tense? "

" Not anymore. "

I gasp theatrically. " See? This is exactly the kind of behavior I was going to report. "

Lucas watches me with an expression that falls somewhere between amusement and resignation before shaking his head with a quiet laugh.

" Finished? " He asks patiently.

I narrow my eyes at him, making a show of considering the question before replying, " For now. "

" Good, " He says, the smile still lingering on his face. " My turn? "

Folding my arms, I give him an exaggerated nod.

" Proceed... but let's get going first. We're already late, aren't we? "

Lucas nodded. " True, " He agrees, relief evident on his face now that I was finally willing to move on.

" But, " I added before he could celebrate too soon, narrowing my eyes at him, " I do expect a proper explanation. "

For a brief second, he simply looked at me before deciding not to argue.

" Yes, ma'am. "

Shaking his head in amusement, he opened the passenger door for me. I slid into the seat, still refusing to let go of my stern expression.

' Truth be told, that was the fun of it. He'd practically handed me the perfect excuse to scold him, and this time he couldn't argue his way out of it because he knew he'd made a mistake. I'd be doing myself a great injustice if I let an opportunity like this slip away. ' My delightfully cruel subconscious remarked with far too much satisfaction.

He walked around to the driver's side, settled behind the wheel, and started the engine. As the car eased away from the curb, I leaned back in my seat, quietly waiting to see whether his explanation would earn him forgiveness— or simply give me another reason to keep scolding him.

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