Awaken to Reality

BRIANNA

Brianna jolted awake, heat from a restless dream still clinging to her skin. She blinked against the daylight, glanced at the clock, and bolted upright.

“Shit, I’m gonna be late for—” The thought stopped mid-sprint.

Right. She’d been fired.

With a groggy sigh, she dragged herself toward the kitchenette and fumbled with the coffeemaker, her hands moving on autopilot.

That left only her night job to support their small family.

The TV droned in the background, the news anchor’s voice blending into white noise—until a name made her head snap toward the screen.

Jayden Steele.

The image alone was enough to twist her stomach. There he was: crisp suit, that signature smirk, and the same unsettling effect on her pulse. The billionaire’s return had been the buzz of the city, a media frenzy she couldn’t dodge—even in her cramped apartment. That had to be why she’d dreamed about him. Probably.

A sound behind her pulled her away from the screen.

Leo.

Her toddler padded toward her with outstretched arms, his curls sticking up like he’d wrestled his pillow and lost. She scooped him up, letting the soft weight of his body and the familiar smell of baby shampoo calm her frayed nerves.

The morning passed in a blur of diapers, giggles, and playtime. Usually, she would’ve dropped Leo off with the neighbours, but today she stayed home. She needed time with him—a break. The poor kid was confused at first, but once he realised Mom wasn’t leaving, he clung to her like a barnacle.

Evening came, and Brianna pulled on her crisp uniform. It wasn’t flashy, but it hugged her slim frame and gave the illusion of composure. She twisted her auburn hair into a tight bun and mentally braced herself.

“La Parfumerie” wasn’t just any restaurant. It was where the city’s elite came to dine, to gossip, to show off their wealth. Brianna had perfected the art of being invisible there—efficient, courteous, forgettable.

She floated between tables, reciting specials and balancing trays with ease. Her mind, however, wouldn’t settle. She scanned the room out of habit and froze when the chime at the entrance sounded.

Jayden.

He sat in a secluded corner, somehow still commanding attention despite the low lighting. That same magnetic presence. That same gut-punch of memory. But now, he wasn’t alone.

The woman beside him was stunning—poised and polished, her every movement deliberate. Brianna didn’t need an introduction to feel the sting of jealousy—or was it bitterness? Old wounds flared like they’d never healed.

Get it together, she told herself. This wasn’t the time to spiral.

She turned to retreat, but her manager caught her wrist before she could disappear into the kitchen.

“You serve that table,” he hissed. “They’re important. Don’t screw this up.”

Brianna yanked her hand free, glaring at him. “Yes, sir,” she muttered, rubbing the sore spot.

Her eyes betrayed her again, drifting toward Jayden—only to find him already looking. Their gazes locked. A jolt ran through her, like a live wire snapping to life. Then he turned away, murmuring to his date like nothing had happened.

There was no way she could serve them. Not tonight.

She nodded toward her co-worker, Taylor. “Can you take table sixteen?” she asked under her breath.

Taylor glanced over, clocked the situation instantly, and nodded. “Got it.”

Just as Brianna began to exhale, a voice rose from a nearby table.

“This is unacceptable! I demand to speak to the manager!”

She rushed over to diffuse the situation, but his dissatisfaction only escalated. The heated exchange grew tense, his words becoming sharper and louder.

“You’re incompetent! Are you even listening to me?” His voice echoed, causing several heads to turn in their direction.

The man suddenly raised his hand, and she instinctively flinched, bracing for a blow. However, when she opened her eyes, she found Jayden standing protectively between them, his posture unyielding, his eyes cold and narrowed.

“This is unnecessary. The staff here is doing their job,” Jayden ground out.

The client’s anger shifted toward Jayden, and his agitation was evident. “Who are you to step in?” he retorted, clearly irked.

“A patron trying to have a meal in peace,” Jayden replied, his tone composed as his grip tightened.

“Arghh! Let go of me, bastard,” the customer yelled as he snatched his hand back.

The restaurant manager rushed to the scene, visibly flustered by the commotion.

“What seems to be the problem?” he asked, sweating.

“This bitch here seems to think she can talk smack to me and have her boyfriend beat me up!” the man screamed, pointing between Brianna and Jayden while cradling his arm.

The manager hesitated, his eyes widening when he noticed Jayden. “This must be a misunderstanding, esteemed guest. This is—” he attempted to explain, but was cut off by the furious customer.

“the fuck? Are you kidding me? Is this how you run your business?” he shouted.

“You think I don’t know what I’m saying?”

People were starting to look at them now. Brianna’s eyes met Jayden’s date, and her cheeks heated up.

Aware that the situation had escalated, the restaurant staff swiftly escorted the irate client out, assuring him his bill had been waived.

Granger’s face was a horrible shade for the rest of the night. He turned to Brianna and the waitress and began to scold them publicly. The experience was humiliating, and she felt her cheeks burn as she fought back tears.

Jayden had returned to his table and motioned for her to come over.

“Come here,” he ordered, his tone brusque.

She approached him, keeping her eyes averted. “Is there something else I can assist you with, sir?”

Jayden’s gaze bore into her, his voice low and cold.

“You’ve managed to turn a simple meal into a spectacle,” he scolded, disappointment dripping from his voice.

“You’re here to serve,” his companion added with a wave of her hand. “Try to do it without theatrics next time.”

With those words, he dismissed her, leaving her with an even worse feeling of humiliation and a growing anger that she couldn’t shake. She returned to the kitchen, rattled. She needed to regain her composure.

The rest of the night crawled. Every time she passed their table, she caught glimpses of laughter, quiet conversation, and chemistry. Jayden looked entirely at ease while she was unravelling.

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“Miss Thames?” he asked, offering her a business card.

She took it, confused. Jayden Steele. Office address. Personal line.

“What is this?” she asked, squinting at the card.

“He asked me to give it to you.”

“What for?”

“Mr. Steele expects you at his office. For business.” The man’s tone left no room for debate. “Don’t keep him waiting.”

Then he vanished, just as quickly as he’d appeared.

Brianna stared down at the card, heart pounding.

What did Jayden want now? Was this some accident, or did he plan it? The card felt heavy and held answers she wasn’t sure she wanted.

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She collapsed onto her weathered couch, Leo finally asleep in the next room. The card lay on the coffee table like a ticking bomb. Her mind raced with questions she didn’t want to ask.

What did he want?

Was this just about tonight, or something else?

Her thoughts kept circling the same truth: she couldn’t afford to ignore this. Not when Leo’s future might be at stake.

Despite the fear and uncertainty, there was a nagging realisation that perhaps, just perhaps, Jayden’s offer could be the lifeline she needed.

She sat at the edge of her tired, worn-out couch, staring at the sleek surface of the card, his name standing out starkly. It wasn’t just about meeting him—it was about securing stability for her child. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.

Later, with Leo clutched at her side, she knocked on her neighbour’s door. Sophie opened it, her warm eyes immediately lighting up. “Hey, Ria! Leo’s getting so big.”

Her eyes sparkled as she ruffled Leo’s hair.

“Hey, Sophie. Can we come in for a bit?” she asked, offering a faint smile.

“Of course, come on in,” Sophie ushered them inside her cosy apartment.

She settled Leo on the carpet with some colouring books, hoping to be alone with Sophie.

“So, how’s everything?” Sophie asked, concern etched in her features.

“I... ran into someone today,” Brianna began hesitantly, fidgeting with her hands. “Someone from my past.”

Sophie’s brows furrowed. “From your past?”

“Yeah, it was Jayden,” she admitted, the name feeling heavy on her tongue.

“Jayden? The guy who—” Sophie trailed off, looking down at Leo.

“Yeah, him,” she confirmed with a sigh. “I didn’t expect to see him.”

Sophie leaned closer, her expression filled with curiosity. “And?”

“And... he wants to meet,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

A sympathetic understanding washed over Sophie’s face. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know, Soph. It’s complicated. I mean, I can’t just...” She paused, searching for words.

Sophie placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Listen, Ria. I know it’s tough, but sometimes we must face things, especially if they could improve things.”

She nodded slowly, absorbing her words. “It just... Leo, he’s my priority. I can’t mess this up.”

“You won’t,” Sophie assured her. “If this meeting could bring some stability for Leo, maybe it is worth considering.”

“But what if it is a mistake?” she voiced her fears.

Sophie smiled gently. “What if it’s not? What if it is a chance for something good?”

She glanced over at Leo, immersed in his drawings, and then back at Sophie. Her words lingered; the uncertainty was still present in her mind, but was starting to thaw.

“I’ll think about it,” she promised. Maybe I should see what he has to say first.

The conversation with Sophie left her torn, but her encouragement planted a seed in her mind. The card in her coat suddenly felt heavy. They talked about other things, cursed out their landlord, and had lunch together. As Brianna and Leo left the apartment, thoughts swirled, pondering what might unfold if she took that chance.