ECHOES OF LONGING.

HARRO.

As the sun rose, its warm rays spilled across the world, casting a soft, golden light. But to me, the vibrant colors seemed muted, dulled by the ache within. Sleep had eluded me the previous night, and I'd lain in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, the tangled blankets a reflection of the turbulent thoughts swirling in my mind.

The weight of Orion's absence pressed heavily upon my chest, a constant reminder of the distance stretching between us like an endless chasm. While Paris beckoned to Orion with its promise of opportunity and excitement, for me, it represented only a haunting silence, a hollow echo that seemed to reverberate through every waking moment.

Yesterday, I spent hours on the phone with Orion, trying to cling to the sound of his voice, the comfort of his words. I'd thought that maybe, just maybe, I could hold on until he returned. But nothing could have prepared me for the crushing reality that hit me like a tidal wave when night fell. As I reached out, expecting to feel his warmth, his side of the bed was empty, a stark reminder that he wasn't here. The pain was like a knife twisting in my heart, leaving me breathless and aching with longing.

Today was a day of monumental significance, a milestone that marked the realization of my childhood dream – the groundbreaking ceremony of my amusement park. The air was alive with anticipation, the atmosphere electric with possibility, yet the joy that should have swelled within me felt hollow, a cavernous ache that echoed through every chamber of my heart. For in this moment of triumph, the one person I longed to share it with was absent.

Just yesterday morning, we stood together in his kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, filling our lungs with its rich aroma. The memory of our parting felt like a distant echo, a bittersweet reminder of the miles that now stretched between us. Every fiber of my being yearned for him, my soul craving his presence like a parched traveler seeking an oasis.

The sudden vibration of my phone shattered the silence, a shrill intrusion that cut through the quiet of my thoughts. A spark of hope flickered to life within me, and I grasped the phone, my fingers trembling with anticipation, praying that it was Orion's voice I'd hear on the other end, rather than my project manager's persistent calls. And then, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, I saw his name on the screen. A slow, radiant smile spread across my face, and I swiped to answer, my heart racing with excitement at the sound of Orion's voice, warm and intimate, on the other end of the line.

"Hi, baby," Orion's husky morning voice whispered in my ear, sending a shiver of warmth down my spine. The sound was like a gentle breeze on a summer day, soothing my frazzled nerves and wrapping me in a sense of comfort.

"Good morning... did I wake you up?" he asked, his voice laced with concern, as if he could sense the emptiness that had been gnawing at me since his departure. I smiled wistfully, trying to sound more upbeat than I felt.

"Good morning, my love. Oh, no, you didn't wake me. I'd been lying here, lost in thought, wondering how my day would unfold. I have to get ready for the ceremony later." I replied, trying to keep my tone light, but the weight of his absence seeped into every word. I couldn't hide the ache in my heart, the sense of disconnection that had settled in since he left.

"Just wish you were here to celebrate with me," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like a piece of me is missing with you in Paris." The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the distance between us, and the deep longing that had taken up residence in my chest.

"God, I wish I could be there too!" Orion replied, his voice tinged with a wistful longing that resonated deep within me. I could almost feel the weight of his regret, the ache of missing this momentous occasion.

I hated the cruel timing of these two events – my groundbreaking ceremony and Athena's lunch – which had conspired to keep us apart. I knew Orion would never want to miss something that meant so much to him, and I wouldn't dream of asking him to choose between us.

"I'm so proud of you," he said, his words infused with genuine admiration. "I can't believe this is finally happening, and I'm not there to see it. You've worked so hard for this." His praise brought a small smile to my lips, reminding me of the countless hours I'd poured into this project – the sleepless nights, the endless cups of coffee, the meticulous attention to detail. I'd been the driving force behind the architectural designs and landscaping, and Orion had been my rock, bringing me coffee and making sure I ate, every step of the way.

I sighed, gripping the phone tighter as if it could bridge the distance between us. "Your support means everything, really," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just..." I paused, hesitant to give voice to the thoughts swirling in my mind. The mayor, the press, the entire city would be watching as I unveiled my masterpiece. Would I have been able to share this moment with Orion as my boyfriend, or would he have been relegated to the role of business associate? The uncertainty gnawed at my heart, leaving a dull ache that threatened to consume me.

"The park launches today, and it feels like my heart is split in half, with half of it up there with you," I said instead, the words tumbling out in a rush. It was a pale substitute for what I really wanted to say – that I wished we could be open about our relationship, that I longed to share this moment with him, free from the constraints of secrecy. But for now, those words would have to remain unspoken. I said I'd wait for him to sort things out and I meant it.

"I'll be there in spirit," Orion said, his voice infused with heartfelt sincerity, a promise. "Just picture me there, cheering louder than anyone else, my voice carrying above the din of the crowd. When the shovel hits the ground, I'll be celebrating right alongside you, I promise." If only his words could bridge the miles between us, spanning the distance like a gentle breeze on a summer's day.

As I gazed out the window of his penthouse, I watched the city awaken, the first flickers of life dancing across the rooftops like a tantalizing promise. People would soon fill the streets, their laughter echoing through the air like a joyous symphony, a cacophony of sound that would normally lift my spirits. But without Orion by my side, the sound felt muted, as though the world had been stripped of its vibrancy, leaving only a dull, hollow echo.

A pang of longing coursed through me, tightening around my chest like a gentle vice, making it hard to breathe. I closed my eyes, my heart aching with a deep, unfulfilled yearning. I wished for the familiar touch of Orion's hand, the gentle squeeze of reassurance that soothed all doubts away, leaving me feeling safe, loved, and protected. The memory of his touch haunted me, a bittersweet reminder of what I was missing.

"Okay, I'll picture it," I said, my fingers drumming a nervous rhythm against the edge of the bed as I tried to shake off the feeling of emptiness.

"But you better make sure to send me all the photos from the launch party later, okay? That's the only thing keeping me afloat right now, I want to see Athena's big reveal – she's been building up the suspense forever about how she's going all out with this lunch." I couldn't help but think of Azalea, too, and how much she would have loved to be there. But she'd left for her retreat yesterday, and it seemed like everything was conspiring against us to keep us apart.

"Absolutely!" Orion replied with a chuckle, the sound sending a warm shiver down my spine. It was a reminder of the countless nights we'd spent wrapped in each other's warmth, our laughter mingling with the fleeting moments before sleep took us captive. The memory of his voice, low and husky, whispering sweet nothing in my ear, made my heart ache with longing.

"I'm heading out to run some last minute errands with Athena, just call whenever you need me, okay?" his soothing voice said and I couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, baby. Be good and safe for me, okay? I love you." I replied before we bid each other farewell.

With a resolute sigh, I shook off the sorrow that had threatened to engulf me, refusing to let it dim the radiance of this momentous day. I had toiled tirelessly to bring my vision to life, and I was determined to let its significance shine. As I dressed in one of my newly acquired suits, each button I fastened seemed to click into place with a sense of purpose, reminding me that I was not just a dreamer, but the architect of happiness – a master builder of joy.

As I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, a mix of excitement and anxiety danced in my reflection, like the delicate balance of light and shadow on a summer's day. The weight of expectation settled firmly on my shoulders, but I stood tall, buoyed by my determination. Though the longing for Orion still lingered, a gentle ache that tightened around my heart, I knew I could channel it into something beautiful – a testament to the love we shared.

Today was the day I had dreamed of, the culmination of my passions and endeavors. Though Orion was miles away, his presence was woven into every thought, every breath. I felt his love and support surrounding me, a gentle reminder that even distance couldn't diminish the bond between us. With that resolve, I stepped out from the shadows of longing and into the light of my aspirations, promising myself that no amount of distance could ever overshadow the love that united my baby and me.