Chapter 10: Crossroads

Over Gozo, the sun was sinking, bathing the rocky terrain in a golden radiance. With her sketchpad in hand, Amma stood on the hotel balcony. The Mediterranean Sea's boundless vastness, the undulating hills scattered with historic ruins, and the sky painted with the brilliant hues of the sunset were all beautiful. She was surrounded by beauty, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

The last several weeks had flown by. Her career had already started to take off after she bravely accepted Jones's commission. However, collaborating with him had also rekindled feelings she had previously believed to be suppressed. Despite Jones's unwavering professionalism, the recollections of their past hung over them like a persistent reminder of what might have been.

She was startled out of her reverie by the sound of footsteps. Jones was walking towards her with a folder in his hand when she turned around.

His voice was warm as he said, "Amma." "I have the hotel's final designs. I figured you might want to look at it.

Amma took the folder from him and nodded. "I'm grateful. Tonight, I'll begin sketching some ideas.

Jones grinned while continuing to stare at her. "You haven't stopped working. Never forget to occasionally take a rest.

Amma's chest constricted, but she faked a grin. "I'm all right. I simply want to do things correctly.

Jones's face became softer. "You'll. I am certain.

Amma averted her gaze, her feelings a jumbled mass. It was both reassuring and unnerving that Jones had faith in her. She hoped that this project would be the breakthrough she had been waiting for, and she wanted to believe him. However, she was always burdened by the worry of failing and disappointing him.

---

Amma sat with her sketchpad on her lap in her hotel room that night. She spread out the designs Jones had given her on the table, but her thoughts kept going to Alex. She wasn't sure how to bridge the gap between them because he had been silent since their last talk.

She was startled out of her reverie by the buzzing sound of her phone. She looked at the screen, and when she saw Alex's name, her heart leaped.

She trembled as she said, "Hey." "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Alex responded in a quiet voice. "I simply wanted to listen to your voice."

Amma's emotions were a jumbled mass, and her chest constricted. "Alex, I miss you."

"I also miss you," Alex uttered in a regretful tone. However, I'm coming closer to solving the problem. I swear.

He couldn't see Amma, but she nodded. "I think you're real. Additionally, Alex I have something to tell you.

"What is it?" Alex enquired in a worried tone.

Amma inhaled deeply, her heart racing. "I accepted the commission. Jones's endeavour. It is a significant opportunity.

Alex remained silent for a while, and the weight of his uncertainty made Amma's chest hurt. "What are your thoughts on it?"

Amma let out a sigh, her feelings a jumbled mess. "I'm not sure. Although it's everything I've ever desired for my profession, working with Jones is challenging.

Alex spoke in a forceful but gentle tone. "This is your choice, Amma. Not my. But I'll be there for you no matter what you decide.

Amma blinked away the tears that welled up in her eyes. "I'm grateful, Alex. That is very significant.

Amma felt both relieved and uneasy as the call came to an end. She was aware of her obligations. She grabbed her sketchbook and started drawing with bold, assured strokes. The vivid hues were an expression of the fervour and resolve consuming her.

---

Amma woke up the following morning to her phone vibrating. When she saw Mary's name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

"Hey," she murmured with a tone of relief. "I need your opinion."

"Obviously," Mary said in a kind and comforting voice. "What's happening?"

Amma inhaled deeply and let everything go, including Alex's quiet, the stress of the commission, and the unresolved feelings she had for Jones. Mary was a reassuring anchor as she listened quietly.

Mary said, "Wow," when Amma was done. "That's a lot."

"I understand," Amma responded, her voice quivering. Mary, I'm at a loss for what to do. This opportunity is all I've ever desired. However, working with Jones is like going back in time.

Mary remained quiet for a while, and Amma could practically hear her contemplating. "Amma, here's the thing. You've put in a lot of effort to get this point. Additionally, this opportunity has the potential to advance your career. However, there is one thing you must ask yourself.

"What is that?" With her heart racing, Amma enquired.

"Is it possible to distinguish between the personal and the professional?" Mary said in a stern tone. "Go for it if you can collaborate with Jones without allowing your history to influence your decisions. However, it might not be worth it if you believe it would affect your mental health.

Mary couldn't see Amma, but she nodded. "You're correct. I have to give this some serious thought.

Mary softened her tone and continued, "I've got your back, whatever you decide." Amma, you underestimate your strength. Remember that.

---

Amma was sitting on the terrace that night with her sketchpad on her lap. Her thinking was anything but tranquil, even though the stars over Gozo sparkled like a strewn-about diamond. The choice still felt unattainable, even after she had spent the day considering the advantages and disadvantages of Jones's offer.

She was startled out of her reverie by the buzzing sound of her phone. When she saw Alex's name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

She trembled as she said, "Hey." "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Alex responded in a quiet voice. "I simply wanted to listen to your voice."

Amma's emotions were a jumbled mass, and her chest constricted. "Alex, I miss you."

"I also miss you," Alex uttered in a regretful tone. However, I'm coming closer to solving the problem. I swear.

He couldn't see Amma, but she nodded. "I think you're real. Additionally, Alex I have something to tell you.

"What is it?" Alex enquired in a worried tone.

Amma inhaled deeply, her heart racing. "I was offered a commission by Jones. A large one. for his brand-new Gozo hotel.

Alex remained silent for a while, and the weight of his uncertainty made Amma's chest hurt. "What were you saying?"

Amma's voice was shaking as she added, "I haven't decided yet." "First, I wanted to speak with you."

Alex sighed, a range of emotions in his voice. "This is your choice, Amma. Not my. But I'll be there for you no matter what you decide.

Amma blinked away the tears that welled up in her eyes. "I'm grateful, Alex. That is very significant.

Amma felt both relieved and uneasy as the call came to an end. She was aware of her obligations. With her heart racing, she grabbed up her phone and dialled Jones's number, waiting for him to pick it up.

"Jones," she uttered firmly. "I'll carry it out. I'm willing to accept the commission.

Over the phone, Jones's smile could be heard. "Amma, you won't regret this. I swear.

Amma felt a ray of hope as she hung up. She was prepared to confront the challenges that lay ahead—on her own terms.