Happy Monday people! Have a great week ahead :)

Happy reading <3

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Your eyes tell me you'll love me everyday.

No matter what may come, you'll be there to stay - Unknown

It was a routine day at the café. Zoe was at her desk surfing through Instagram. Her mood and the weather outside were in sync today. Cloudy, ready to rain and sunshine was nowhere to be seen. She never liked the dull days, it gave her a bad feeling for some unknown reason. Only if Austin was here. She would be on her bed cuddling him all day. Pouting at her direction of thoughts, she thought to message him.

Hey! Wassup? How's your day going?

Babe I have a meeting in an hour, will talk to you once that's done. Love you!

His reply came immediately and her face fell. What was she supposed to do. It was a dull day at the café as well. There were hardly any customers. Noah was on leave as he had some assignments to submit tomorrow. Rose and Sophie were serving the customers and gossiping in the small breaks that they got.

"Sophie, I'm going for a walk, will be back in sometime." Zoe finally got up and walked out taking her phone.

Twenty minutes later, she returned to the café with a troubled look on her face. She could feel someone following her. Zoe gulped a bottle of water and closed her eyes to focus and see who was following her. All she got in return were some blurred images of a person in a black hoodie.

She felt a pit forming in her stomach. Something wasn't right. She was getting those negative vibes. Whoever it was, definitely did something. She couldn't pin point on what was wrong, but it was something big.

Austin! Her eyes widened as his name crossed her mind. Closing her eyes to see what he was doing, Zoe sighed in relief. He was scribbling something on his notepad.

"Jackson is everything alright in there?" Zoe walked into the kitchen hurriedly. The nagging feeling in her mind was bothering her to no extent.

"Yes boss! Everything is fine in here" Jackson said chopping the fruits.

"Sophie! Rose!" she called them who were there in front of her in a blink

"Yes Zoe. What's the matter? You are looking pale? Is everything fine?" Sophie asked in a worried tone seeing Zoe all worked up.

"Something is not right. I don't know what, but this feeling is nagging me from quite some time" she shared her worries. The girls looked at each other and passed her a smile

"You are overthinking. Everything is fine here. Wait let me get you a fresh cup of coffee and a club sandwich, just the way you like. You'll be fine soon" Rose said and walked to the counter to make the meal.

Zoe's heart was pounding like a humming bird. Grabbing her phone she dropped a message to Austin

Please call me when you are done.

She got up from the chair and saw that the café was empty. She turned the sign to 'We are closed, will be back soon' and locked the door. She checked the windows, the back door and all possible entry and exit points to make sure everything was locked.

Maybe I am overthinking

She thought to herself and sipped the coffee Rose placed in front of her.

"Girls, have your lunch and be back. Then we'll open again" she told them and they walked to the kitchen shouting a 'yes boss' making her smile.

"Everything is fine Zoe" she kept repeating to herself.

Finishing her food, she leaned on the desk and closed her eyes to calm her mind and unknowingly fell asleep.

Feeling something warm around, Zoe opened her eyes only to get stunned at the scenario that was unfolding in front of her eyes. There were flames everywhere. She froze. She could hear her mothers last words ringing in her ears

'Run Zoe! Run! Save yourself!'

Austin's phone rang for the nth time and he couldn't ignore it anymore. He had just come back from a meeting with his very important client. He noticed few missed calls from Sophie, Rose, Jackson and an unknown number.

He was getting a call from the same number again.

"Austin Brooks" he said the moment he accepted the call

"Mr. Brooks, do you know someone names Zoe Johnson?" the person asked

"Yes, she is my girlfriend. What happened to her? Is she fine? Who are you? And where is she?" he rained questions.

"I am Dr. Blake Williams from The City Central hospital. The fire officers rescued Zoe from a fire accident in a café in Manhattan. She has no serious injuries, but has few burns and bruises here and there and she has fainted because of the shock. It would be better if you are here, by the time she's up. She might feel better seeing a familiar face. Her colleagues are here and are getting treated as well." The doctor finished and Austin was just stuck with two words. Zoe and fire.

"I'll be there in 30 minutes" he gathered himself and spoke to the doctor and hung up. He walked to his Manager and told him about the situation and left the office.

"Zoe Johnson, the fire accident patient" Austin enquired at the reception and she directed him to Zoe's room.

Austin's heart broke seeing her in that condition. Her face was pale with bandages on her forehead, her left arm and her legs. He sat next to her and gently held her hand and kissed her palm lovingly.

"My precious baby" he mumbled kissing her palm again. Tears made their way from his eyes seeing her in that vulnerable condition.

"Hi there young man. You must be Austin" A doctor walked in with a bright smile on his face. Austin wiped his tears and nodded his head in a yes.

"How is she? When is she gonna wake up? When can I take her home? She hates hospitals" Austin told the doctor, his eyes never leaving his girl.

"Calm down Austin. Zoe is fine. She fainted because of the shock of seeing that massive fire. She will be up in few minutes. We have to conduct some tests just to confirm that everything is fine. Once the results are out, you are free to take her home" Dr. Williams and left the room giving a pat on his shoulder.

Minutes felt like hours and finally Austin felt the grip on his palms.

"Austin" Zoe mumbled and a smile crept on his face. She was finally up!

"I am here Zoe. Open your eyes, slowly" Austin cooed lovingly and she looked at him. The moment her greyish blue eyes looked into his deep brown ones and the world around them faded away!

*****

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Loads of love

Until next time

Neeraja :)