I entered my friend’s crowded restaurant, the smells of spices and freshly prepared food filling the air.

Maya, her long dark hair tied up in a bun, spotted me from across the room and waved, a smile on her face.

She was busy with her staff, the laughter and talk of customers filling the area around them.

As I took a seat, Maya waved to me, mouthing "I'll be right there" as she ran back to her cooking station.

As I waited for Maya, I let myself to soak in the spirit of the place.

The hum of discussion, the clinking of glasses, the quiet music in the background.. It was a wonderful break from the seclusion of my flat.

When Maya eventually joined me, she put a hand on my shoulder and then hastily sat down.

“Hey Soph, what were you saying over the phone? You actually meant it??.. you met… He is back in New York??”

I nodded, my guts twisting into knots. "Yeah, he's back. I bumped into him at the Art Exhibition last night."

Maya's eyes widened in surprise. "Liam? The Liam? I can’t believe it! If he was at the Art exhibition, that indicates he must have purposefully come for you, since there's no way he'd visit the Greenwoods’ Art Gallery display and wouldn't expect to see you.. so after everything that happened, he simply comes up like that?"

"Exactly," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "And the worst thing is, he appeared different. Like he wanted to communicate, like he wasn’t the same guy who delivered me those divorce papers."

Maya’s countenance softened, her palm extending out to cover mine.

"Soph, you’ve gone through hell because of him. You can’t allow him interfere with your brain again."

I sighed, staring down at our hands, feeling the warmth of her support. "I know, but it’s not that simple. Seeing him brought everything back. All the hurt, the humiliation, everything."

Maya clasped my hand softly. "You’re stronger than you think, Soph. You don’t owe him anything, not even your attention. He made his decision."

"But what if he’s changed? What if…"

Maya cut me off, her tone strong.

"No. Don’t even go there. People like him don’t simply change overnight. You need to concentrate on yourself, on going ahead, not on what-ifs."

I nodded, knowing she was correct, but a part of me still hurt with the unresolved sentiments that seeing Liam had brought up.

Maya reclined back in her chair, observing me for a time before speaking again.

"Listen, why don’t we take your mind off things? Come assist me in the kitchen. We’re overwhelmed today, and I could use an additional set of hands."

I smiled at her offer, happy for the diversion. "Sure, why not? It’s better than sitting here and overthinking everything."

Maya giggled and pulled me up from the chair. "That’s the spirit! Let’s go to work."

As we proceeded to the kitchen, I felt a bit lighter.

Maybe Maya was correct. Maybe what I needed was to focus on the present, on the people who were truly there for me.

Liam was part of my past, and that’s where he deserved to remain.

As Maya and I worked side-by-side in the busy kitchen, our actions settling into a familiar pattern, the quiet hung heavily between us.

Finally, when she took a pot of noodles off the counter, Maya broke the stillness.

"So," she continued, her voice low, "how are things with Ethan? Last time we talked, you were contemplating giving him a chance."

I stopped, the heat from the fire burning my cheeks as I weighed my response.

"He was at my place last night," I continued, my voice low.

At Maya's joyful shriek, my cheeks flamed with shame, and I attempted to ignore the inquisitive eyes of the other cooks.

"Eiiiiiiiiii! Things are beginning up then?" she remarked, her smile growing. "He’s going to your house now? Wow!"

I chuckled, attempting to shrug off her mocking. "It was simply a brief visit. I don’t believe it signifies anything.”

After screaming and joking at my confession, Maya went serious.

"Sophie, I think this guy genuinely likes you," she said, her voice low and sincere. "You know I don’t simply say that about everyone. But Ethan, he seems different. He appears to truly care about you.”

I paused, uncertain of how to answer. I wanted to believe Maya, to trust in Ethan's sincerity, but the scars Liam had left were still fresh, constantly bleeding.

Finally, I spoke. "Maya, I...I finally spoke out to Ethan about Liam.”

Maya nodded, understanding, and then her eyes brightened up. "Oh, you did? That must have been terrible for you."

I sighed, nodding. "It was, but it also felt like a weight off my chest. Ethan was really sweet about it. He genuinely listened."

Maya's grin grew. "That’s wonderful! Ethan seems like such a lovely person. And he's very persistent, which is a wonderful thing."

I smiled back, but a sense of uncertainty swept over me. "I just...I don’t want to be injured again.”

Maya's face relaxed. She was about to speak when the sound of my phone buzzing in my purse broke through the hum of the kitchen.

She raised an eyebrow, a grin flickering at the corners of her lips. "Ooh, Ethan already checking in on you?" she joked, before adding, "Go ahead, check it."

I took out my phone, my pulse beating as I unlocked the screen.

It was an unknown number.

I was cautious about selecting it in the kitchen.

"I'll be right back," I murmured to Maya, the grin on my face seeming forced. "It's the gallery, I have to take this call."

She nodded, giving me a comforting grin as I swiftly made my way out of the kitchen and into the relative stillness of the restaurant's main dining room.

With my pulse still hammering, I answered the phone, speaking gently.

"Hello?”

I held my breath, hoping for a reaction.

"Sophie, it's your dad. Is this a good time to talk?"

My shoulders dropped with relief, my fingers pushing against my chest as if to slow my beating heart.

"Oh, hey dad. Yes, indeed, I'm at Maya's restaurant but I have a minute."

There was a pause, then his voice was softer as he spoke once again.

"Sweetheart, I have to say something.”

“Of course, what’s up?” I questioned, knowing the weight underlying his words.

"You know, I've been in New York for a few months, working on that business deal. Well, there's a charity gala coming up.. one of those enormous occasions where the entire corporate world gathers. It's crucial for my transaction, and I need things to go smoothly," he continued.

"A charity gala? That sounds intense. But what does this have to do with me?" I asked, not sure of where this was leading.

"I'm not feeling my best, Sophie," he replied, his voice thick with tiredness. "My health has been a bit off lately, and your mother has been worried sick back in London. I'm concerned I won't be able to manage all of the preparations on my own, especially considering how crucial this occasion is. I need you to step in, help me with some of the preparations, and guarantee that everything goes smoothly."

"Dad, of course, I'll help," I said without hesitation. "You know you can depend on me. But are you sure you're okay? If you're not feeling well, maybe you should see a doctor huh."

"Don't worry, I have already scheduled an appointment," he assured me. "But for now, I need to focus on the gala. It's too vital for my firm to go wrong, and with me leaving New York soon, I need to make sure everything is in order."

"Leaving? "Are you going back to London soon?" I queried, the realization that he may not be here much longer settling in.

"Yes, as soon as I'm done with this deal and my health is stable, I'll be heading back home," the guy responded. "But for now, I need your support to make this event a success. It means a lot to me, and I am positive that your involvement will be useful as well."

My concern intensified. "Of course, dad. I will come over. Where are you now?"

He hesitated. "That is the thing. I recently moved into a new apartment. It is a condominium in the Imperial Towers."

I froze. "Imperial Towers? Isn't that...?"

"Yes, it is owned by Liam's family." I didn't want to say anything because I understand how you feel about him, but it's a beautiful firm and they gave me a tremendous deal. "I need your help, Sophie, but if you're not comfortable..."

I swallowed hard, my brain whirling.

My father lives in the same building as Liam. The prospect sickened my stomach, but I couldn't leave my father to fend for himself.

The connection became silent, leaving the weight of my decision hanging in the air.

"I'll be there, Dad," I ultimately replied. "We'll get this gala sorted out together."

He thanked me enthusiastically, his relief clear.

"Thank you, Sophie. I knew I could count on you. See you soon."

We exchanged goodbyes, and as I hung up, I glanced at my phone, lost in thought.

Why was I experiencing a sense of disappointment?

Was I expecting Liam to call? He is a devil, he would never call.

I took a long breath, seeking to escape the bad sensation that clung to me.

As I went back into the restaurant, I noticed Maya at the stove, perfectly completing the spaghetti dish.

The lovely aroma filled the kitchen, temporarily distracting me from the talk I'd just had.

Maya glanced up as I came, her visage fascinated.

"Is everything okay?" You seem a bit strange."

"It was my dad," I answered, smiling as I leaned against the counter.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with dread.

"Yeah, it's just... there's a charity event coming up that Dad needs my participation with. He's been under a lot of stress, and I believe it's getting to him," I remarked, trying to keep a calm voice.

Maya nodded, but her eyes narrowed slightly as she inspected my face.

"So why do you appear like the world has just collapsed? Soph, you are more than capable of managing this."

I hesitated, feeling a familiar knot tighten in my belly.

"It's not just that," I responded gently. "The thing is, Dad will be staying in the same building as Liam while he is in New York. It's not ideal."

Maya nearly dropped her wooden spoon she was holding, her eyes growing wide in surprise.

"What? You have got to be kidding me! Is it the same building? How could this ever happen?"

I shrugged, trying not to show how much it affected me.

"It happened, I think. But the prospect of being so close to Liam again..."

Maya shook her head in disbelief, placing the spoon down and crossed her arms while reclining back.

"No wonder you're feeling this way. There's a lot to contend with."

"Yeah," I groaned, running my fingers over my hair. "It's going to be challenging. But I can't disappoint Dad. He needs me, and I must do this for him."

Maya reached out and squeezed my arm, reassuringly.

"You are stronger than you think, Soph. You'll get over this, even if it means facing Liam again. And who knows. Maybe addressing him may help you find closure."

"Closure," I repeated, the word feeling alien on my tongue. "Maybe you're right. Or maybe it will merely rekindle old pains.

"Either way," Maya remarked with a little smile, "you won't be alone. I'll be here for you no matter what happens."

Her statements were reassuring, however the uncertainty lingered in my mind.

I knew Maya was accurate. I had to be strong for both my father's sake and my own. But the notion of meeting Liam again, being so close to the person who had brought me so much grief, was nearly terrible.

I pushed the thought aside as much as I could and manufactured a smile.

"Thank you, Maya. I appreciate it. Now, what about the pasta? I might need something to keep my mind off things."

Maya grinned, the tension lessening slightly as she returned to the stove. "Coming right up. Let's eat and sort out the rest later."

The next morning, I sat on my bedgazing at the half-packed luggage in front of me.

I was visiting my dad's new apartment and possibly run into Liam once again, something I wasn't sure I was ready for.

The prospect of seeing him, of perhaps running into him in the corridor or the elevator, wrenched my stomach into knots.

My phone rang on the nightstand, drawing me out of my thoughts. I looked at the computer and saw a message from Ethan.

Hey, how are you holding up?

A little grin pulled at the edges of my mouth.

Ethan had been so wonderful to me over the last several weeks, had a way of making me feel like I wasn’t alone, even when everything around me seemed overpowering.

Me: I’m good, just packing.

His reaction came very instantly.

Ethan: Packing? Are you leaving New York or something?

I grinned and answered.

Me: Lol. No, visiting my dad.

Again, his reaction arrived nearly instantly.

Ethan: Want some company? I can come over if you need assistance or simply someone to chat to.

I paused for a bit, looked around my flat. It was a chaos of clothing, cartons, and half-opened drawers. But the prospect of having Ethan here, of not being alone with my thoughts, was too enticing to pass up.

Me: Sure, it would be nice. I could need the distraction.

Ethan: Be there in 20.

I laid my phone down and glanced around the room again.

It wasn’t just the trash, it was the memories that clung to every nook. I couldn’t help but think of the last time I’d packed up my life like this.. when I left Liam.

A tap at the door shocked me.

I checked the time.. Ethan was early. I hastily brushed a hand through my hair, hoping I didn’t seem as frantic as I felt, and went to open the door.

Ethan was there with a pleasant grin, carrying a tiny bag in his hand.

“I brought snacks,” he added, holding the bag as if it were a peace gift. “Thought you might need a break from all the packing.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, the strain in my chest relaxing somewhat. “You know me too well.”

His words, so simple but so real, made something within me hurt.

I wasn’t accustomed to this type of support, this kind of kindness.

Liam had never been the soothing kind.. he’d always been aloof, disconnected. But Ethan… he was different. He made me feel secure.

“I appreciate it, really,” I responded, trying to keep my voice calm.

Ethan’s grin was comforting, and he clasped my hand gently. “Of course you do, Soph. You know you can always depend on me.”

We sat in quiet for a minute, our fingers still interlaced, and the air seemed heavy with unspoken words.

Ethan took a big breath as he turned around to face me, his eyes exploring my face as if attempting to judge my response.

"Sophie...I..." he continued, his voice quiet. "Don't you think we should...go out? Officially?"

My heart skipped a beat at his words.

"Since you are divorced, can I pursue you?"Ethan leaned forward, his face sincere.