“You’re Not Alone”

At the end of the day, Rey decided to stop by at the cafe. The welcome scent of coffee wafts through the air as she entered. She saw Rose cleaning the tables before closing time. They greeted each other with a warm smile. "Hey, Rey.. What are you doing here? It's almost closing time."

"Well, I just wanted to stop by. It's been a very hectic day."

Rose could see the weariness in Rey's eyes. "Right. First day's always hectic. Do you want some coffee to let you loosen up a little?"

"That would be great. Thanks, Rose." Rey took a seat on one of the wooden stools in front of the counter. The sweet aroma wafted heavily through the cafe as Rose prepares her her coffee. "By the way, Finn and I just talked earlier this morning. He questioned me about you. Like, he was afraid of having a one-way relationship. He was wondering if you like him, as much as he likes you."

Rose didn't want to believe it. "He really said that?" Her brows knitted as she frowned.

Rey shook her head and shrugged at her. "I don't know. I couldn't blame him, though. Knowing Finn for eight years... He's this typical type of guy, who's very sensitive with his feelings. Especially when entering relationships like this."

Rose brought her coffee to the counter. Rey took a small sip from the hot mug and glanced up to the ceiling, remembering a thought that just crossed her mind. "There was this time, when Finn had an ultimate crush on someone. And you already know how it went. It was three years ago, and his heart was so broken. After that, he promised to himself that he'll never break his heart again."

Rose sighed deeply. She couldn't imagine Finn those times when he was so broken. "Well, I'll make sure he won't. Never again." She winked at Rey by the thought of it.

"I would never regret that I shipped you two together since day one." Rey was assured that things will go the way it should be between the two. Who knew their hopes would become true all of the sudden.

The night flew by fast. Rey got up from bed earlier today. She stood in front of her bedroom window and opened the curtains, feeling the warm streaks of daylight that enlightens and fills the room as it enters. She could hear the birds chirping in wonderful harmony. The sweet morning sensation gave her more positivity and confidence to just be herself.

At work, Rey was working silently on her desk, writing her next report.

"Rey.." Ms. Holdo approached her calmly. "I have a favor to ask, if it's alright with you."

"Oh, sure, Ms. Holdo. Anything." Rey's face lit up as she smiled at her thoughtfully.

"I won't be around this afternoon. And if ever, would it be okay if you could hand this out to Mr. Solo?"

Ms. Holdo handed out a folder to her. Rey scanned the papers inside, and awe transformed her face, knowing that it's all for her resignation. "A resignation letter? You're resigning?"

Ms. Holdo nodded with sadness that clouded her features.

"Well, I won't stop you or anything.. I just wish you all the best you deserve." She forced a smile as she held Ms. Holdo's hand. It further came into her mind that it would be different not having her around anymore in the next few days.

Ms. Holdo placed her hand on Rey's shoulder and smiled fluently, showing her appreciation. "Thank you, Rey. I wish you the same."

Rey couldn't comprehend if Mr. Solo would be able to handle and accept Ms. Holdo's decision. But she doesn't want to intrude. All she has to do was to give those papers to Mr. Solo and just mind her own business.

She stood effortlessly from her chair and made her way to Mr. Solo's office. Unable to notice a wet floor, she accidentally slipped and fell into the arms of a man with a familiar scent. She looked up at him, and there she realized he was no other than Mr. Solo. They stared at each other's eyes for a brief moment. Rey somehow felt that there was this intimacy between them two, yet she has no idea if he was aware of it. But it's not worth thinking of. She's just a journalist who works for him, and he's her boss - all for career. Nothing more than that.

Hands shaking nervously in his arms, her face paled and her legs were still stiff. Awkwardness filled the atmosphere between them. Rey makes an effort to find her balance as she finally stood on her feet. Rey cleared her throat, trying to act normal. "I-I'm sorry. I was in a hurry to your office. I didn't notice that the floor was wet."

"It's alright. Just be careful next time. You'll never know if someone's there to catch you." He regarded her with a faint smile. Though, the awkwardness was still there. "Anyway, you mentioned a while ago you were heading to my office. Why is it?"

Rey handed him Ms. Holdo's resignation folder. "Ms. Holdo wanted me to give you this."

"What is it?" He asked her curiously, taking the folder from her hand.

"I think you should see it for yourself."

His forehead and eyebrows furrowed as he studied the papers thoroughly. "A resignation letter? She's resigning, just like that?"

"I don't want to intrude on the matter. It's her decision to make."

Mr. Solo's lips pursed, as he stood with his hands on his hips, expressing disapproval. "Where is she?" He demanded.

"She said she won't be around this afternoon. That's why she asked me if I could give it to you instead."

He tromped back to his office with a frown on his face, while Rey returned to her desk and resumed writing her report.

==========================

That night, she was dreaming again. The same old scenario, but more than that. They were having little conversations with each other, about being alone.

"I've never knew of my parents. I've never seen them, or even talked to them. That's why I always feel that I'm so alone." The girl admitted in despair.

"You're not alone." The little boy held out his hand to her.

They both found belongingness in each other's presence, as they finally grasped hands. "Neither are you."

The light came in and it all faded away, just like before. But the little girl was gone. Everything faded away. There was only darkness, and all she could hear were voices of the innocent young boy and an old man, who seemed to be vicious and cruel.

"Please! Let me out of here!" His voice was brittle with great tremor.

"No!" The old man exclaimed. "You won't get out of that dark room until you finally realize how you're just a mere child who can be a huge disgrace to your own family!"

The old man's voice soon vanished. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through the little boy's chest, as he bleeds the salt of his soul from his eyes.

==========================

Rey woke up in the middle of the night, disturbed by the voices inside her head. She sat uncomfortably on the side of her bed, her hands clasped in front of her face, thinking deeply about what she just dreamed of. Rey wondered why those thoughts suddenly cross her mind each night. And no... Dreaming the exact, same old thoughts recurrently doesn't seem to be like anything that normally happens to someone. It was already stuck in her head.

She barely have slept that night. In the morning, she was so lightheaded, and her body was heavy. Rey didn't feel like working, but she pursued to. The weariness was visible in her eyes. She tried to keep herself awake and more focus on writing her reports. But it's not as perfect as the previous ones she wrote. Though, it's not the end of it, yet.

It was late, the other employees have already left the building. Rey knew she was the only one left, alone. But it's not a big deal to her. She has always been alone in her apartment, each day and night.

Home was finally calling her. She cleaned up her desk and packed her things before leaving. Rey stood inside the elevator patiently,  while it made its way down. When it reached the twentieth floor, she saw Mr. Solo standing at the front, outside the elevator. He made his way in, and stood a few inches behind her. There was an awkward silence in the atmosphere for a short moment, until he decided to break it.

"What happened to your report?" He asked.

Rey could see him at edge of her eyes, as she glanced back a little. "Sir?"

"Your report. It wasn't as imposing as before. I don't want to invade your personal life, but is there something going on?"

"I barely slept last night. Dreaming of uncertain things."

"Like what?" He asked, curiously.

"The past." She admitted.

The lights started to flicker inside the elevator, and there was a sudden stop.

"What happened?" Rey asked, frantically.

"There must be some kind of malfunction." Mr. Solo pressed all the buttons. But none of it seems to be working.

"What?" Rey took deep breaths and tried to stay calm. But she couldn't handle it.

They both started banging the door to call attention whoever's outside. "Help! We're stuck in here!! Please!! We need your help!! Get us out of here!!"

"This isn't working. Do you have your phone?"

Rey took her phone out from her bag. "There's no signal."

"Then we need to wait and try not to panic. It's the only thing that can help us survive inside this thing."

They both sat on the ground, with their arms around their knees, bracing themselves from panicking. Silence overcome them, while they waited composedly for a miracle to happen.

"Rey, you told me you dreamed about your past. Tell me about it."

"Since I was a child, I never knew of my parents. I haven't seen them, or even talked to them. As a matter of fact, I have no idea how I ended up with a fake surname, and could lie to everyone else and tell them that I'm a Kenobi, considering that I really ain't one." Tears were forming in Rey's eyes, trying to prevent it from falling. "My parents... they left me all alone with a man named Unkar Plutt. I-I don't even know if I should call him my uncle, or even say that he treated me like his own daughter." She started chewing her lower lip, as her eyes slowly welled-up with tears.

"Everyday, I pick up every piece of scraps I see on the cold streets, just to satisfy him." Deep emotions stirs with no other outlet but through her long-lasting sobs. "I was so afraid to go home with an empty hand, because I know what's coming ahead of me. His violent anger... He maltreated me many times, but I tried to resist everything. All the pain he has given and caused me throughout these years." Her lips trembled as she cried, and tears of pain ran down her cheeks.

Mr. Solo couldn't stare at her directly. Knowing Rey's past, emotions started to invade him deep inside, until he wiped away a teardrop that tickled his cheek.

"All my life, I've always felt like trash, hoping that my parents would return and come back for me." An involuntary whimper escaped her lips. "I've never felt so alone."

"You're not alone." Mr. Solo's voice was calm and soft, as he uttered those words. He then held his hand out to her.

Hearing those words from him, Rey felt more at ease from the pain she feels inside. And that she isn't in fact, alone after all. Their hands clasped, as she held out hers. They gasped at that particular moment, and stared into each other's eyes. "Neither are you."

It felt and was familiar to Rey. That touch, it wasn't that peculiar as it seems. It was similar to what she've dreamed of last night.

After the momentary manifestation of compassion to one another, they let go of each other's hands.

"Thank you..." She said, admiringly.

"Ben." Staring heavenly, he uttered out his name. "Call me Ben." 

Rey was baffled. She couldn't consider calling him by his actual name. "Why are you-"

Ben gazed at her intently. "Just between the two of us." 

Rey pondered his intent, that maybe having a close attachment with him won't be as bad as it seems.

Rey and Ben spent their night together, stuck inside the lift. They both kept their distance from each other the whole night, having conversations until sleep claimed them.

The next morning, Ben was the first to wake up. His eyes were in a blur and blinded by the light. All he could see were moving shadows. When his vision came clear, he saw people at the front, not knowing who or what they were staring at. Until he soon discerned that they were staring at him and Rey, who was sitting peacefully at the corner and still in a deep sleep.

Ben woke her up. "Rey... Wake up."

Rey gave a soft moan as she woke up. "What's happening?"

Her eyes widened the minute she saw people staring at her. She quickly got up on her weak feet, and cleared her throat. "I think we should..."

"Yeah, I think so, too."

They went out the elevator swiftly, avoiding the tension and embarrassment, whilst people followed stares at them.

Outside the building, Rey was waiting for a cab to take her home when a car suddenly stopped by in front of her. The car's tinted window went down, and Ben Solo came into her sight.

"Hop on. I'll give you a ride home." He insisted, with his eyes fixed on her.

"No, thank you, sir-" Rey paused, the second he heard him give her the sound of a mild warning. The word she's supposed to spit from her mouth was stuck in her throat, until she finally managed to say it aloud.

"Ben, I can take care of myself."

"I insist." He replied.

Rey got in the car with a shamed face. She feels awkward whenever she's with him, but the intimacy between them was still there. It hadn't faded away.