My heart felt lighter since my meeting with my father, the void he had left wasn't filled, but it didn't hurt. I knew that it wouldn't be full from just forgiving him, I had to completely let go of the past and work on myself. 

The trust issues weren't going to disappear in one day or three weeks, I still had to work on them, but that didn't mean I should stop living while fixing myself. I was a work in progress.

I have loved Jacob for a while now, though I ran away and kept him at an arms length because of pain inflicted by others, and not him. It wasn't fair that I painted him with the same brush, yet he hasn't given me a reason to. Even when I found him in the bathroom with Emily my heart knew that nothing had happened between them, but my mind took that as a reason to end whatever was transpiring between us. 

All that was left was for me to tell the man in question how I feel and apologize, but I was scared he would reject me as I rejected him. What if he got tired of me and decided to move on? One thing I knew was that if he has moved on, I would forever regret letting him slip between my fingers.

"You should receive emails concerning your internship before the end of today, but do remember that you need to pass so you could proceed." Chef instructor Alice said dismissing class.

"Where do you think you've been placed?" Soph asked as we walked home.

Months ago I was certain about my internship placement after Beth, the manager at Mia Margherita assured me they would give me an internship if I worked hard. But, after I resigned and with the way things are between Jake and I, I doubted they offered me a placement there.

"I really don't know, but anyway will be fine I guess," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Do you think Chef Jake would evoke your placement at his restaurant?" 

"It wasn't guaranteed, so I doubt I will be placed there," I replied.

Jake hadn't tried to call me after our moment at the club and I honestly don't blame him. All I have done was cause him headache and left him in the dark about how I felt for him, even when he confessed his feelings to me. 

Later when we arrived home, I received an email about my internship placement. I couldn't believe this, after everything I've done Jake kept his word. I honestly don't deserve his man's generosity and kindness. 

"They kept their word, Jake's restaurant offered me an internship."

"That's great news! I'm so happy for you," Sophie congratulated me with a hug.

But, how did I go back there and continue working with him like nothing happened? It was going to be so awkward working with my former colleagues, especially after my outburst. Argh! Me and my big mouth.

"I should go and talk to Jake, try to smooth things over. We can't work together with so much uncertainty between us," I said, rushing to my room to freshen up.

An hour later I stood in front of my full length mirror, admiring my outfit. I was wearing a white short summer dress, with a blue demin jacket and white sneakers, my black hair released from the bun it had been in earlier. I sprayed some perfume and left my room with my phone and keys in my hand. 

"I'll see you in a few hours." 

"Good luck!" she shouted from the kitchen.

         ~~~~~~~~~~🙂🌼~~~~~~~~~~

I stood in front of Mia Margherita, not sure if I should go inside and anxious. What was I planning to say? Would Jake even agree to see me? 

Since when are you a coward? A small voice in my head asked.

Squaring my shoulders, and head held high I walked towards the entrance of the restaurant. It looked quiet busy with patrons coming in to have dinner. "W-welcome to Mia Margherita" stuttered Cathy, the hostess who had welcomed me the first time I started working here.

"Hey, may I see Beth or Chef Jake?" 

"Are they expecting you?"

Why didn't I call one of them before coming here? it was rush hour and the possibility of meeting any of them is highly unlikely. Cathy looked behind me and I followed her gaze, then moved aside so she could help the couple.

"Please follow me to your table," she said with a smile and they followed her.

I looked around the restaurant hoping to see Beth or Jake while I waited for Cathy to return and I noticed a few of my old colleagues as they served tables.

When she came back and tried calling their offices, but none of them answered. "I can't get hold of them, but they're both here so please check if they're in their offices," 

"Okay, thanks." 

Who should I see first?

Since Beth was the manager, her office wasn't far from the kitchen so I knocked on her office first, but no one answered. Taking a deep breath I walked towards Chef Jake's office and knocked lightly.

"Come in."

Taking a deep breath I opened the door, expecting to see Jake, only to see four sets of eyes fixated on me. Waiting. What do I do now? 

"Amara, what are you doing here?" Asked Jake.

"Ah, I'm sorry for disturbing you. I wasn't aware you had company, I will wait." 

"This might take long—"

"Nonsense, we have covered everything there was to talk about son. We will not take more of your time, just come see us at home before you leave and we will take you to the airport later," Mr Adams said standing up.

Leave? Airport?

What was he talking about? Was Jake leaving? Is that why Beth and the head chefs were in here? For the next seconds as they left, everything was blurry, my ears ringing.

"It was good to see you again, Amara." Said Mr Adams patting my shoulder on his way out.

"Likewise Ethan." 

Waiting until everyone was out if the room I turned to look at Jake standing a few feet from me. Hands in his pockets, eyes looking at me guarded. There was a stubble on his face, after going days not shaving.

"So, you're leaving?" 

         ~~~~~~~~~~😑💔~~~~~~~~~~

Jake's POV

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach when I saw her coming in, looking beautiful as ever. I was hoping to go away without seeing her, it would hurt too much to leave after seeing those beautiful eyes. And here she was, ruining all my plans. She looked beautiful in white, my own ruthless angel.

How dare she come here!

My plan had been to make her wait, knowing how impatient she was, but my father wouldn't hear of it. Both my parents had been fond of her since they met her, especially my mum who knew my reasons for leaving this forsaken city.

"So, you're leaving?" She asked, her green eyes piercing at me.

"Yes. What are you doing here?" 

Like my question had been a slap to her face, she frowned at me and bit the inside of her cheek, something she did when she was nervous or about to spit venom. In this case it was the former.

"Of course! Let me not waste your time." 

"I got an email earlier, with my internship placement details...I was shocked to see that you still gave me placement here, especially-"

Interrupting her, I leaned against the desk. "I always keep my promises. Was there anything else?" 

"Where are you going? I was hoping we could talk and fix things between us," she mumbled walking forward.

If this was a month ago, I probably would have jumped up and down with joy, but things have changed. I got tired of the one sided love.

"Us? There's no us Amara." I told her creating more distance between us knowing there was no resisting her once I catch her scent.

"What do you mean? I know I have been indecisive, but you have to understand where I was coming from. It was never to hurt you, all I wanted was to protect myself and-"

"That's the problem!" I yelled angrily. "You painted me with the same brush as your ex and I'm not him Amara! Instead of trusting my love, you kept taking and putting me in a box whenever you got bored. I deserve more than that, don't you think?" 

"I know and I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I'm moving so we won't keep running into each other." I smiled sadly at her and looked away.

She was trying so hard not to cry and I hated myself for hurting her, but I had to protect myself from her. She was my undoing and she knew it.

"I love you." She blurted shocking the both of us.

She loves me!