The Night That Changed Everything

Chapter 29

Justin's POV

"What is happening to me?" I wondered as I stared at my phone screen. Was I dreaming? How had my life changed so fast? Just a few weeks ago, I wasn't even sure where Tamara and I stood. I had no idea if she would ever see me as more than a friend. And yet, here she was, asking if I was free tonight.

I had just finished my workload and was preparing to head home when her text popped up. It was going to be our third movie night. Third! Lately, she had been spending more and more time with me, showing up unannounced, staying late, sometimes even falling asleep on my couch. I didn't know if she was trying to move on from Joe or if she actually enjoyed my company. But whatever the reason, I wasn't complaining.

I typed back a quick reply: I'll be home by seven.

Then, I called Dorota. She already knew the drill. As soon as I mentioned Tamara's name, she chuckled knowingly.

"Got it," she said. "I'll have everything ready."

I shut down my computer, grabbed my keys, and left the office, my heart beating a little faster than usual.

When I arrived home, I wasn't surprised to find Tamara already there, sitting comfortably in the lounge with a cup of coffee in her hands. Dorota had set out a beautiful spread. A platter of fresh fruit and pastries. The warm glow of the lamps bathed the room in an inviting golden hue. They were chatting, laughing about something, but as soon as I walked in, they stopped.

I raised an eyebrow. "Sorry to interrupt your conversation."

"Oh, Tamara was just asking about your favorite dish," Dorota said casually, though there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

I frowned slightly, sensing something behind her words.

"I'll get tea for you," Dorota added before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving Tamara and me alone.

I settled onto the couch across from her. "To what do I owe this surprise visit?"

She exhaled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well... my friends are all busy tonight, and I really wanted to finish that series we started. And it's Friday, so tomorrow's my day off... I figured, why not relax a bit?"

She said it all in one breath. I knew she was lying. Something was different about her tonight, but I decided to play along.

Dorota soon returned with my tea, and after finishing our drinks, Tamara and I moved to the entertainment room.

The series she picked was romantic. Not my usual genre, but for her, I watched it anyway.

We sat close. Closer than usual. Her shoulder brushed against mine every time she shifted. The scent of her vanilla perfume lingered in the air, mixing with the faint sweetness of the candy she had been eating.

An hour into the show, I felt her lean against my shoulder. I glanced down and saw her eyes flutter closed. She looked so peaceful, so effortlessly beautiful in that moment. My heart clenched.

"Does she know what she's doing to me?"

I sat still, not wanting to wake her. My gaze traced the delicate curve of her face, the soft rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. I could have stayed like that forever, just watching her.

Then, my phone rang.

I cursed under my breath, fumbling to silence it. But the slight movement caused her to stir. She blinked, her sleepy eyes meeting mine. I gently tapped her head. "Go back to sleep."

But she didn't.

Instead, she just stared at me for a moment. Longer than usual. There was something different in her gaze. A softness. A longing.

And then, before I could process what was happening, she moved closer... and kissed me.

My body froze for a split second before responding instinctively. Her lips were warm, tasting of sugar and strawberries. My mind went blank, the world around us fading into nothing.

When she pulled away, she whispered, "Thank you. For everything. For being with me. It means a lot."

I reached up and gently traced my thumb along her cheek. "Anything for you."

She straightened, adjusting her position to face me fully. Her eyes held a vulnerability I had never seen before.

"I think..." she hesitated. "I think I've started to like you. I like being with you. I like spending time with you. My feelings are growing. And I'm over Joe. He was my past. And I'm sorry for dragging you into all that."

My chest tightened. I had waited so long to hear those words.

I took a deep breath and smiled. "I don't care about your past. All I want... is to be your future."

The words hung between us for a moment, and then she smiled. A real, radiant smile. And just like that, she kissed me again.

This time, it wasn't hesitant. It was passionate, deep, filled with unspoken promises.

Her fingers curled into my shirt as I pulled her closer. Every touch, every movement felt electric. My hands instinctively found her waist, and I felt her shiver under my touch.

I wanted her.

No, I had always wanted her.

I could feel her heartbeat racing against mine, her breath coming in soft gasps. I was ready to give in, to let go.

And then...

The door clicked open.

Dorota entered, pushing a trolley with our dinner.

Tamara and I sprang apart like guilty teenagers caught sneaking out past curfew.

Dorota gave us a knowing smirk but said nothing as she placed the plates on the table.

"Thank God," I thought, running a hand through my hair. If she hadn't walked in, I might have crossed the line right then and there.

Tamara looked at me, her cheeks flushed. She bit her lip, looking more beautiful than ever.

She wasn't the same Tamara who had once fought for Joe.

She was mine now.

The girl I had always loved.

And this was just the beginning.

Tina's POV

It was laundry day. My least favorite day of the week. The mountain of clothes on my bed taunted me, daring me to quit before I even started. But I had no choice. I was running out of fresh clothes, and wearing my "just-a-little-dirty" hoodie for the fourth time in a row wasn't an option anymore.

I sighed, throwing a pile into the machine and pressing start. My room was a mess too, so I grabbed a rag and started dusting. How did I let it get this bad? Oh yeah. Assignments, procrastination, and hanging out with Joe. Speaking of which, things between us had been... different. Good different. Ever since our first break, I was actually taking my time getting to know him, rather than just enjoying his company.

And now, here I was, agreeing to Thanksgiving dinner with his family. What was I thinking? I could barely handle my family's holiday drama, let alone someone else's. Would they like me? Would they interrogate me? Would they judge my mashed potato skills? I groaned. Too much to think about.

After cleaning, exhaustion hit me like a truck. I needed to get out before I lost my mind. I texted Trisha. She was off visiting some grandma from India. Called Veronica. No answer. As a last resort, I called Joe.

"Hey, missing me already?" His teasing voice made me roll my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling.

"I'm getting bored at home, and the girls have their plans," I admitted.

"So you wanna hang out?"

"Yes! But you're working."

"I'm always free for you. But if you don't mind a cafe setting, I'm stuck here till nine."

Well, better than doing nothing. "Okay, I'll be there at seven."

That gave me four whole hours of... what, exactly? I texted Shawn. He was at the hospital again and would call later. I didn't want to wake my parents because it was nighttime back home. With no other distractions, I decided to finish my assignment.

I barely got to the last page when my body betrayed me. The next thing I knew, I was deep in dreamland, only to be rudely woken up by my phone's beeping.

Joe.

"What's so funny?" I grumbled, still half-asleep.

"It's seven, and you were supposed to be here. And from the sound of it, you're still in bed."

I shot up. "Shoot! I slept! I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Take your time. See you soon."

Ugh. Why am I like this? I took the fastest shower known to mankind, threw on jeans and an oversized T-shirt, grabbed my phone, and rushed downstairs.

When I arrived, the café was still busy. The smell of coffee and pastries hit me immediately, making my stomach grumble. Joe stood at the cash register, smiling at customers, looking effortlessly cute. How was that even fair?

I walked up to the counter and smirked. "One big hug and a kiss, please."

Joe looked up, surprised, then smirked back. "Bold today, aren't we?" He leaned over, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

"For the hug, you have to come this side."

I rolled my eyes and walked around the counter, only for him to pull me into his arms, hugging me tightly before sneaking in another kiss.

"Sir, this is a workplace," I teased, poking his nose.

"And you're a distraction," he shot back, grinning.

When the café slowed down, Herbert, took over the counter, and Joe led me to his office. I have been to this café so many times, but never here. It was small but cozy. An office desk, a sofa set, and a tall bamboo plant in the corner. A waterfall painting hung above his desk, and on the table, there was a framed family photo.

I picked it up, studying it closely. Joe's family looked... happy. Warm. Close.

"Nosy, are we?" Joe teased, coming up behind me.

"Just curious."

Before I could ask about it, the door opened, and a staff member walked in with pizza and drinks.

"I didn't know you guys serve pizza here."

"We don't. They only make it on request. For friends or birthdays."

I grabbed a slice and sighed dramatically. "So I'm that special?"

Joe laughed. "Oh, absolutely."

We ate, we talked, we laughed. After I was full, I leaned back on the sofa, feeling content.

Joe smirked at me. "Come, I want to show you something."

"Ugh, can't we stay here? I just found the perfect lazy position."

"Nope. Move it, sleepyhead." He pulled me up and led me toward the kitchen.

By the time we entered, the café was empty, and the staff had left. The kitchen was eerily quiet, except for the low hum of the cooler.

"Where is everyone?"

"Saturday nights, they finish up early and head home. Mom treats them like family, so she lets them go once their work is done."

He led me into a small room attached to the kitchen. The moment the lights flickered on, my jaw nearly hit the floor.

Chocolate sculptures. Everywhere.

Tiny bears, elegant swans, intricate flowers. Each piece looked like it belonged in an art gallery, not a café's backroom.

"Wow," I whispered, turning in circles to take it all in. "Your staff are insanely talented."

Joe cleared his throat. "Actually, I made all of these."

I whipped around to face him. "Wait. You made all this?"

He nodded.

My brain short-circuited. "You bake?"

He grinned. "And mold chocolate."

I gawked. "And you're wasting your time studying business management?"

He chuckled, popping a tiny bear-shaped chocolate into my mouth. I let out a soft moan.

"Okay, that's delicious. Marry me."

Joe laughed. "Slow down there. Let me at least introduce you to my parents first."

He then told me how he learned this from the café's bakers as a child, sneaking back here while his mom managed the front. It started as a hobby but turned into a passion.

"So why aren't you doing this full-time?" I asked.

"My dad wants me to take over the business. After graduation, I'll run it, and he'll finally retire. He wants to take Mom on a world tour."

That softened me. "That's... really sweet, Joe. You're a good son."

He shrugged, but I could see the emotion in his eyes.

"What happens to all these?" I gestured around.

"We use them to decorate cakes or sell them to VIP clients for events."

I nodded in appreciation. "You really are talented."

Joe smirked. "You're just saying that because I feed you chocolate."

I grinned. "That too."

Suddenly, he asked, "Wanna go for a ride?"

I raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

"Trust me."

As we stepped out, he locked the door, which made me suspicious. "Why are you locking it?"

He sighed. "Some years ago, molds went missing. We suspect someone was stealing our designs. So now, only my family and Herbert have access."

I nodded, impressed. "Smart."

As we walked to his car, I glanced up at the stars and smiled. This-whatever this was-felt right. We were taking things slow. Learning each other. And I liked it.

For the first time in a long time, I wasn't scared of what came next.

Joe's POV

The engine hummed softly as we cruised down the familiar road, the night embracing us in its cool, comforting arms. The wind played with her hair as she leaned out of the window, her face glowing under the silver moonlight. I stole a glance at her. Tina, the woman who had unknowingly become the light in my darkest days.

"This path looks familiar. Have we ever been here before?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Just wait until we get there," I smirked, pressing the speed pedal slightly. The car responded eagerly, gliding over the winding road.

I reached for my phone and played the playlist I had put together just for this night. Soft, soulful melodies that carried whispers of love and longing. She smiled, tucking her legs onto the seat, making herself comfortable.

"This is so romantic," she uttered dreamily.

As we neared the hilltop, her eyes widened in realization. "Are we going to that same place?"

I nodded, gripping the steering wheel as I maneuvered through the narrow, winding road leading to the top. I parked the car at our usual spot, stepped out, and extended my hand toward her. She placed hers in mine, and we walked towards the edge where the city lights sprawled beneath us like a sea of fireflies.

A gust of wind brushed past us, making her shiver. I gently wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. "Wait here," I whispered and jogged back to the car. I returned with a mat and a picnic basket, watching as her eyes lit up with delight.

"You are full of surprises," she said, taking the mat from me. Together, we spread it out, settling down comfortably. The city twinkled below, while above, the stars shimmered like scattered diamonds. We were caught between two breathtaking worlds, unable to decide which one was more mesmerizing.

I poured wine into two glasses and handed one to her. She took a sip, savoring the moment. "When did you prepare all this?"

"When you called, saying you were bored and coming over, I asked one of my staff to prepare it," I admitted.

She chuckled, taking a grape from the basket and popping it into her mouth. "How did you find this place?"

I exhaled, my gaze drifting over the distant horizon. "When Dad had an accident, I had to drop out of school to help Mom run the café. Everything changed overnight. My friends moved on, and I was stuck. Then my girlfriend left, saying I had no time for her." I swallowed hard, old wounds reopening. "One night, I was drowning in loneliness, so I just drove aimlessly. I didn't know where I was going, and somehow, I ended up here. This place... it gave me peace, clarity. Since then, whenever I feel like I'm losing myself, I come here. It reminds me to keep going."

Silence hung between us, heavy with unspoken emotions. When I turned to her, her eyes were glistening. She reached for my hand, enclosing it in hers.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that alone," she whispered, her thumb tracing soft circles on my skin.

I shrugged, forcing a smile. "It made me stronger."

She looked away, staring at the twinkling lights. "You know, my family went through something similar," she began, her voice barely audible. "Dad started a business with his partner, but one day, the man took everything and vanished, leaving Dad drowning in debt. He almost... ended his life, but Mom saved him just in time." She took a deep breath, composing herself. "We lost everything. He had to give up his dreams and start over, helping my grandpa on his farm. Something he hated. But Mom worked tirelessly, and eventually, they saved enough to start a small export business. Now it's a well-known company."

She turned to me, a sad smile on her lips. "Dad wants me to take over, but I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Looks like destiny had other plans."

I pulled her into a warm embrace, pressing a soft kiss on her temple. "You're strong, Tina. Your family is proud of you. And no matter what, you'll find a way to balance both your dreams and your responsibilities."

She exhaled deeply, relaxing into my arms. "Joe... do you ever think about what will happen after graduation? You'll have to take care of the café, and I'll have to take care of my family's business. What if... we don't see each other after that?"

Her words hit me like a cold wave. I had never thought about it, never considered that we might be walking toward an inevitable goodbye.

I turned to her, my heart pounding. "We still have two years, Tina. We'll figure it out when the time comes."

She lifted her pinky finger. "Promise me that whatever happens, we'll decide together."

I linked my pinky with hers, holding it tightly. "I promise."

We lay down on the mat, staring at the endless sky, letting the silence between us speak louder than words. The night wrapped around us, comforting yet bittersweet.

Small dewdrops started to form, brushing against our skin. "We should head back," I murmured.

"Yeah, I think so too," she agreed, sitting up.

Just as she was about to stand, I pulled her back, and she landed against my chest. "I can make you warm," I whispered before capturing her lips in mine. She gasped but kissed me back, her lips cold yet her mouth warm.

"Joe..." she whispered breathlessly.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Time stopped. My heart hammered against my ribs. I gently placed my forehead against hers. "I love you too, Tina."

We packed up, walked hand in hand back to the car, and drove home in silence. Both of us lost in the weight of this moment, capturing it forever in our hearts.

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"The night that changed everything. A moment of clarity, a spark of hope, and a new beginning."