Through His Eyes

Rediscovering Eden

After sending his last text, Thomas sat in his car, parked just outside Eden’s building, his thoughts swirling. He had built a mental data bank on her—every detail he quietly collected. He knew her routine, what she ate, the brands she used, and even how she arranged her meals for i********:. Her social media gave him insight into her life, yet it was the gaps that intrigued him. There was nothing beyond her posts, nothing about her past. It felt like she existed solely in the present, hiding a piece of herself he couldn’t quite figure out. It reminded him of his own tendency to shield the past.

He glanced at his second phone, distracted by the investigation. The man who’d been shot wasn’t a random victim—he’d been set up. Someone close to him, someone he trusted, had ended his life. Thomas’s gut told him the Zeta cartel was involved. He thought back to the last time he heard that name—the memory of his father introducing him to a man with a thick accent. But before he could linger on it, Eden stepped into the car, pulling him from his thoughts.

Eden’s simple, understated dress caught his attention—she didn’t need makeup, her natural beauty shining through. For a moment, he forgot everything else. But that was quickly shattered as she settled into the seat next to him. He couldn’t help the frustration that bubbled up.

“Did you even know this was my car?” he asked, his voice carrying a mix of irritation and concern. “I could’ve been anybody. Pay attention next time.”

Eden narrowed her eyes, smirking. “I did,” she replied coolly. “You’re Tom—aren’t you?”

Thomas chuckled, the tension easing. “Guess that’s a good enough answer. How’s Margarita’s sound?”

Eden’s face lit up. “I love that place!” she exclaimed. “How do you like the complex so far?”

Thomas tilted his head. “It’s livable. But I’m reluctant to sacrifice the luxuries of where I’m currently living. A bit of a trade-off, you know?”

Eden raised an eyebrow, sarcasm creeping into her tone. “A trade-off, huh? Like, where people literally died at this complex just yesterday?”

Thomas tightened his grip on the wheel but kept his face neutral. After a pause, he said, “Touché. Guess ‘luxury living’ doesn’t hold up in a situation like that.”

Eden nodded, her expression still heavy from earlier events. “Anyway,” Thomas added, trying to lighten the mood, “I’m just focusing on the positive. It’s a decent place. I don’t know if I’ll go for it, but it’s something.”

She glanced at him with a small, wry smile. “You’d be the bright side of living there.”

Eden rolled her eyes. “Nice. I doubt it.”

Thomas studied her for a moment, sensing the deflection. “Why do you say that?”

Eden sighed, looking out the window. “Because I don’t really do much. I don’t like going out and doing things.” She shrugged. “It drags me out of my routine, and I end up doing things I don’t care about. So I avoid it.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? Why?”

Eden hesitated, chewing on her lip. “I’ve got a good rhythm—gym, meals, work. It all works. If I go off track, it feels like I’ve wasted time.”

Thomas nodded. “I get it. Sticking to your routine feels safer.”

Eden sighed. “Exactly. When I go out, it feels like a distraction from what matters. Most of the time, it’s not worth it.”

Thomas smiled softly. “I get the appeal of routine, but I think you might be missing out on some good distractions.”

Eden chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Maybe. But my simple distractions keep me balanced.”

Thomas smirked. “Fair enough. But every now and then, it’s nice to step outside that bubble.”

As they drove, Thomas reflected on the differences between the Eden he knew online and the one sitting beside him. Usually, finding people’s living history, background, family information was easy. She had kept her past hidden—her social media showed no signs of family or previous relationships. It struck him as odd. For someone so grounded in routine, she had a layer of darkness he couldn’t quite place. It reminded him of himself—the need to protect something beneath the surface.

Arriving at their destination, Eden’s face lit up as they entered the small pizza shop. “This place reminds me of a corner store bodega in New York,” she said with excitement. “If it looks like a shack, it’s probably amazing.”

Thomas nodded, impressed by her enthusiasm. She ordered pizza, and he ordered seafood Alfredo. Trying to mask his reaction, he failed when Eden called him out on his face.

“Don’t think you’d be used to something like this,” she giggled.

Thomas narrowed his eyes. “Really? Why’s that?”

She smiled. “I assumed you’d be picky. You know, like a food snob.”

Thomas scoffed, holding back a chuckle. “It’s true, I’m a snob about it. I just know good food when I see it.”

“Sure,” Eden teased, biting into her slice. “So, where are you from? I noticed your accent’s a little… strange.”

Thomas was caught off guard. She had picked up on the smallest detail. He hesitated, then shared a partial truth. “I was born in Italy, but I grew up in Northern England. Moved to the States a few years ago. The military mixed it all up.”

Eden found it fascinating. “What’s it like living in neighborhoods with so many different cultures?”

The question made him uncomfortable. He fidgeted with his pinky ring, lost in thought. Eden noticed his change in demeanor and offered him a slice of her pizza. “Here, I won’t finish all of this. It’s probably better than whatever that is.”

Thomas smiled as he accepted the slice. “It’s good,” he said, taking a bite. “But it certainly isn’t real pizza.”

Eden laughed, “I know how real Italians are about their food. Thanks for bringing me here. I imagine places like this must be hard to sit through for you.”

Thomas chuckled softly, relaxing. “It’s not about the pizza, it’s about the experience. This place… it’s more than just a meal. It’s the simplicity.”

Eden smiled, the conversation lightening. Then, her phone buzzed again, pulling her focus. The message from Sam was different this time—it wasn’t the usual check-in.

“I feel like I’m never going to get anywhere. The depression’s sinking in…”

Eden’s face shifted, sadness flooding her expression before she quickly put the phone down. She glanced at Thomas, forcing a small smile.

Thomas noticed the change, raising an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

Eden sighed, rubbing her neck. “It’s Sam, a guy I’ve been talking with. We’ve been talking for over a year now, and I thought things were going somewhere, but I’m just stuck. Kind of accepting that he’s just a friend now. That’s it.”

Thomas’s expression softened as he listened. “What’s his behavior like?”

Eden paused. “He’s in his early 40s, former alcoholic, incredibly reclusive. Some days, he just disappears into silence.”

Thomas’s gut tightened. He had seen the signs before. “You should stay away from him. Those behaviors… they’re clear signs of someone dangerous.”

Eden frowned, defensive. “He’s not like that. He’s been through a lot. His family was abusive, and he’s trying to deal with it.”

Thomas was firm. “Trust me on this one. You need to be cautious.”

Eden sighed. “I’ll be careful. But let’s not ruin the night with my relationship problems, okay?”

Thomas nodded. “Fair enough.”

The drive back to Eden’s apartment was quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine. As they passed a group of homeless drug users, Eden’s voice broke the silence.

“I feel like I’m one bad decision away from being one of them,” she said quietly.

Thomas’s grip on the wheel tightened. He had the same fear—that one wrong step could lead him down a dark path. Flashes of the family he left behind and having to figure it out on his own flickered through his mind. But he didn’t say that to her. Instead, he responded calmly. “Everyone feels that way. No matter how much they have. Even the rich. The more they risk, the further they can fall.”

Eden glanced at him, curious. “How do you know so much about rich people?”

Thomas let out a laugh, more a chuckle than anything. “I work for a medical research company, close with the owner. I’ve seen what kind of pressures they face.”

Eden nodded, taking it in. They drove in silence for a moment before arriving at her building.

“Thanks for dinner,” Eden said as she reached for the door. “I think I needed that.”

“Anytime,” Thomas replied, his tone soft.

Before she could leave, Thomas reached out, grabbing her hand gently. “Be more aware of your surroundings,” he said, his voice steady. “I’ll see you later.”

Eden squeezed his hand. “Thanks. Goodnight, Thomas.”