Sarah’s POVTo say that I didn’t like how Dave drove would be unfair. Earlier on, when he drove me to his restaurant, he was calm and careful behind the wheel, never once making me clutch my seatbelt out of fear. The ride was smooth, peaceful, and even comforting in a strange way that made me forget the chaos of my own thoughts for a while.Now, as he drove me back home, he handled the steering in the same gentle manner. The hum of the engine and the soft rhythm of the night air brushing past the car windows made everything feel oddly serene.We talked about so many things that night, things that took us back to our college days. We laughed about the silly arguments we once had in class and the endless group projects that left us sleep-deprived but united. Then, Dave brought up that one student who had boldly stood up to the school management over an unfair new policy. The policy had almost caused an uproar, but that brave student had protested until the school finally changed it.I s
Abraham’s POVIsn’t it strange how life turns around when you least expect it?Just when I thought everything was lost, when I believed I would never earn my daughter’s trust again, something shifted. For the first time in years, Cynthia smiled at me, not out of obligation, but out of warmth. Could it be wrong if I said that maybe, just maybe, the kidnapping wasn’t the worst thing that ever happened to us?I know it sounds terrible. The entire experience was traumatizing for both Sarah and Cynthia. I can’t even imagine the fear they felt. But strangely, that same tragedy brought Cynthia and me closer than we had ever been. So close that she had even asked that I visit Marinda View. She said it in a message, calm, polite, and full of curiosity.It felt surreal.Yes, I admit, everything was happening much faster than I imagined. But wasn’t this good news? Especially when it came on the same day she finally replied to my text? After all these years, my little girl reaching out again mean
Sarah’s POV “I would!” I answered without hesitation.Who wouldn’t?This was something I had always wanted, a new beginning, a chance to finally rise again. I once had that same drive when I decided to build something meaningful with Abraham. We had a vision, a shared dream. But instead of it paying off for both of us, Abraham let his darker side take over. With his so-called cousin as his instrument, everything fell apart. I walked away from the ruins he created.Now, the vision we once had has blossomed, but only for him. He enjoys the fruits of what we planted together while I am left to rebuild my life. And even though he has been trying to win me back lately, I have made up my mind. I do not want it anymore.So, if Dave could really help me, wouldn’t that be great?The pay would be ten times better than what I currently earn at the café.Cynthia, my daughter, would be heading to college soon. With Dave’s help, if this offer turned out to be real, I could finally pay her tuition
Sarah’s POVHave you ever listened to someone close to you before? Maybe not close anymore, but someone from your past, heard their story and felt an ache so deep you couldn’t shake it? The kind of empathy that makes you wish life had been kinder to them, that it had shown them the softer side of its heart instead of the cruel one?That was exactly how I felt for Dave right now.The restaurant around us was quiet, lit by soft golden lamps that reflected gently off the polished marble floors. It was obvious that even the waiter could sense the tension, the quiet energy hanging in the air, when she approached our table with the order.I kept my gaze locked on Dave’s eyes. His expression carried years of pain, and I didn’t even notice when the waiter returned. My hand found its way onto his without thinking, a quiet attempt to comfort him.“I just wish you didn’t have to go through all of that,” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.He smiled, but it wasn’t the kind of smile born fro
Sarah’s POVWe sat behind a marble table at Madam Divine Great, one of the best, in fact, if not the best restaurant in Marinda View. The rich and the powerful dined here, the type of people whose names carried weight and whose perfume lingered long after they left.I had never stepped foot in this kind of place before. The chandeliers glowed like soft fire above our heads, the scent of roasted meat and expensive wine hung in the air, and every plate that passed looked like art. But now, because of Dave, I was here.“So, do you come here often?” I asked, pretending it was a casual question, though deep down I was curious. A man who could afford this place wasn’t just doing well; he was successful. And if this was one of his usual spots, then maybe he was doing even better than I thought.He chuckled softly, that deep kind of laugh that made people look our way. He raised his hand to signal the waiter while keeping his eyes fixed on me with a small, teasing smile tugging at his lips.“
Sarah’s POV“Answer me already! I am running late for work!” the voice blared from behind Dave like an emergency alert, snapping me out of my daze.“Oh!” I gasped, startled.“I apologize,” I said quickly, my tone sincere. I had been so carried away catching up with Dave that I didn’t even realize the queue behind him had grown restless. People were frowning, tapping their feet impatiently, each eager to grab their coffee and rush to wherever life demanded them next.“Dave huh…” I let the words trail off. I didn’t want to sound rude by ending our conversation abruptly, but I also didn’t want to delay the customers any longer. Surely, Dave would understand that this was my working hour, right?“Oh! I apologize,” he said suddenly, turning toward the people behind him. Then, in a gesture that caught everyone by surprise, he bowed slightly like a humble servant.“I’ll just wait over there in that corner until you’re done with your shift,” he added with a polite smile.“And please,” he rais