MARCH 16 2024
4 YEARS LATER
LOS ANGELES

"Jenna, could you please get these ready for tomorrow's meeting?" one of her coworkers asked. She looked away from her laptop and took the stack of papers from her. Yeah, I'll do that now," she said with a smile. "Thank you," her coworker said, and Jenna got to work on the paperwork. She wanted this done before she left the office today.

She had plans that she couldn't change. "So, are you excited about your date tonight?" her friend Adriana walked into her office. "Kinda, I'm nervous," she said truthfully. It had been four years since she dated anybody, and she didn't know how this date would be, but she hoped he liked her. "Don't be. You got this, and if something goes wrong, call me, and I'll help you with the date," she said, winking.

Jenna started laughing at her friend. "Thank you, but I think I got this," she said, looking at her friend. "Okay, but I'm taking this," she took the papers that Jenna was working on. "I will finish this for you while you go home and get ready." Jenna looked at her friend. She felt so grateful for her. "Thank you, Kate, I owe you one." she hugged Kate. "Yeah, when you get home, I want cheesecake and the details," Kate said, walking out of the office.

Jenna smiled and shook her head. She looked at the time and saw it was late. She needed to get home, shower, and get ready before she was late. She packed up and left her office. She got in her car and drove home. Her phone vibrated in the cup holder. She picked it up and read a text from Dustin.

He was her date tonight. She met him two months ago at the gym. She thought he was cute and funny. At first, she wasn't trying to go on a date, but for two months, Dustin didn't let up on asking Jenna out sooner or later. She said yes, and now they are going out on a date.

"Let me know when you leave," she read the text. She replied with an okay and put her phone in her purse. She made it to her apartment. As she found a parking space, she noticed a moving truck. "New people," she said to herself. She walked into the lobby towards the elevator that was going to close. "HOLD THE DOOR, PLEASE!" she said, running toward the door. She didn't think the person could hear her.

But they did hear her as they stood in front of the door with boxes in their hands. "Thank you," she said softly before going to hit five but realizing it was already lit up. They both stood in silence. It wasn't Awkard; it was just quite comfortable silence, the sound of the door opening. Jenna walked off the elevator and to her apartment. She noticed the apartment next door to her had boxes nearby. She made a mental note to say hi to her new neighbors

She walked into her place and closed the door. She went straight to her room. She had already picked her dress out in the morning. She went to the bathroom and showered. After a good hour, she got out, did her makeup, and fixed her hair. "You look good," she said, looking at herself in the mirror

she walked into her bedroom, grabbed the dress off the bed, put it out, ran her hands down her body, and picked up a cute little black dress that fit her just right. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She checked the time "shit, I'm late." She grabbed her things and sent Dustin a text she was locking up her apartment when she heard.

"Jenna? Is that you?" she looked up and saw Gustavo. He was Arias's brother. She looked shaken. She hadn't seen him in forever. "Omg, Gustavo," she said, walking up to him. She hugged him, and he hugged hers back. "How have you been?" he asked. "I'm good, how about you? How's your family?" she said, asking more about Arias and less about his actual family. "Good, and every one good," he said. Keeping it short

"You live here?" she asked, looking at the boxes in his hand, "no, someone I know is moving in, and he asked for my help," he said. She looked around. "Where's your friend then?" she said, questioning him. "He forgot he had a thing come up at his new restaurant and left to handle that," he said, snapping her back to reality. "SHIT!" she yelled. He jumped a little at her voice. "I'm sorry, I have to go. It was nice running into you," she said, walking away, forgetting all about her dinner with Dustin

her phone started going off, and it was a call from Dustin. She had forgotten about him, and she answered the phone. "Hello," she walked off the elevator and to her car. "I'm here. I got us a table under my name," he said. "Okay, and I'll be there in 5 minutes," she said, getting in the car. "You fine, take your time. I'll be waiting," he said. They said bye, and she hung up the phone.

She made it to the restaurant. She pulled up to the Valet area, got out, and tipped the worker before going in. She looked around at the restaurant and how beautiful it looked. She couldn't put her finger on it, but this place looked so familiar to her. "Hello, welcome Loñ'Don, Lo'Don. Do you have a reservation?" the hostess asked her, just as Jenn turned to look at the hostess.

Her eyes met those that were oh-so-familiar to her. She couldn't say anything. The hostess cleared her throat. "Umm... yeah... under the name Dustin," she said, but her eyes never left him, and neither did his. It was like they were the only people in that room. Everyone around them disappeared, but a voice snapped them both back to reality.

"Yes, your party is waiting for you. Can you follow me?" She tried to walk around him, but he stopped her. "Stay here. I'll take her," he said, not looking at her. The hostess looked at him confused but didn't argue with him. He waited for Jenna to walk before him. "After you," he said in a deep, sexy tone. She walked in front of him. He walked on the side of her, looking her up and down.

He smiled to himself, knowing she hadn't changed anything about herself; he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, especially in this black dress. He looked her over again. He wanted so badly to rip it off her, but he knew he had to control himself. He looked at her one more time, she was already staring at him they couldn't take their eyes off one another it was like they were back in high school when they first met.

"JENNA!" he was thrown off by some guy yelling at his girl. Jenna snapped out of thought and turned and smiled at Dustin. She turned and looked at Arias. Her face softened, and she sighed before walking over to Dustin and gave him a hug. He pulled her chair out as she sat down. She looked up and noticed a hard, dark look in his eyes, and she knew that look all too well. She begged with her eyes for him not to start

he looked away and chuckled. He shook his head at her, letting her know he would let her be tonight. He didn't want to, but he knew the amount of pain he caused her. He owed her one. He walked away, not wanting to see her happy with him. He grabbed one of the waiters. "Table 12, the lady's drinks and food are on the house, just the ladies, not him," he said, making himself clear. "Got it, boss," he said. "Come to the bar in 5 minutes" he walked away to the bar

the bar was far enough that she wasn't able to see him, but he was able to see her. He started working on the drink, and just as he was finishing it, the waiter came up. 'Give this to the lady at 12," he said, handing it to him. "Okay," he watched her get the drink. She was confused, looking around and looking for him but couldn't see her. The disappointment on her face let him know that she still cared about him.

He watched her take a sip of her drink and smile. He knew she would remember, and he smiled to himself. "I'm going to my office. Let me know when 12 leaves," he told the waiter. He shook his head, and Arias walked up to his office. He sat at his desk and stared at a picture of Jenna. He smiled at how beautiful she was and still is. He stayed in his office looking at that picture of Jenna. "Boss 12 is getting ready to leave," the waiter said. Arias got up and walked out of his office.

He walked to the hostess's desk. "I'm off for the night; if you have any problem, call," he said before walking to the car. "Where are we going, boss?" his driver asked. "nowhere, just wait here," he said as they waited for her to walk; just as he said that, Jenna walked out with a big smile on her face just as she handed the guy her ticket. Her date tries to lean in for a kiss. Arias tightened his fist. Jenna moves her head, and he misses her

the disappointment was all over his face. "I think you're a nice guy, but I'm not ready for that," she said truthfully; she had a lot going on in her mind right now, and kissing Dustin wasn't going to be one of them. The valet guy finally pulled up with her car. She hugged him goodbye and got into her car.

✨VOTE & COMMENT✨

JENNA

ARIAS