The restaurant Stephen chose was upscale but surprisingly intimate. Soft lighting bathed the room in a golden glow, and the faint hum of a piano filled the air. Alicia felt out of place in her modest dress, though she had done her best to look presentable.
Stephen was already waiting for her at a corner table, his suit impeccable as always. He stood when he saw her, pulling out her chair.
"You didn't have to go all out," Alicia said as she sat, her tone cautious.
"I wanted this to be comfortable," Stephen replied, his smile hesitant. "It's been a long time, Alicia. I thought we deserved a setting that allowed us to talk without distractions."
She nodded, unsure how to respond. The waiter approached, and Stephen ordered a bottle of wine. Alicia opted for water, not trusting herself to stay composed with alcohol in her system.
---
For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their shared history filling the space between them. Finally, Stephen spoke.
"How's Emma?" he asked, catching Alicia off guard.
"She's doing well," Alicia replied cautiously. "She's studying hard, and she's… resilient."
Stephen nodded. "I remember how protective you were of her. You always wanted to give her the world."
"That hasn't changed," Alicia said, her voice firmer now. "She's the reason I keep pushing forward."
Stephen's gaze softened. "I admire that about you, Alicia. You've always been strong."
She shifted uncomfortably. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Stephen. Why did you ask me here?"
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Because I owe you an explanation. I know I hurt you, and I've regretted it every day since."
Alicia's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's a little late for regrets, don't you think?"
"Maybe," Stephen admitted. "But seeing you again made me realize how much I left unsaid. I made mistakes, Alicia, and I want to make amends if I can."
---
Alicia crossed her arms, her defenses still firmly in place. "You've already apologized, Stephen. What more is there to say?"
"A lot," he replied earnestly. "When my parents sent me abroad, I didn't just lose you. I lost myself. I became everything they wanted me to be, but I was miserable. I thought about reaching out, but I was afraid you'd moved on."
"Or maybe you just didn't care enough to try," Alicia countered, her voice sharp.
Stephen flinched but didn't look away. "You're right. I should have tried harder. I should have fought for us. But I was young and foolish, and I let fear dictate my choices."
Alicia looked down at her hands, her emotions swirling. She wanted to hold on to her anger, but his sincerity was disarming.
"Do you know what it was like for me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Losing my parents, struggling to raise Emma, and then losing you, too? I had to rebuild my life from scratch, Stephen. Alone."
Stephen's jaw tightened. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been. But you survived, Alicia. You've always been a fighter."
Her eyes met his, and for a moment, she saw the boy she had fallen in love with—the one who believed in her even when she doubted herself.
The waiter returned with their meals, breaking the tension. Alicia picked at her food, her appetite nonexistent. Stephen, too, seemed more focused on their conversation than the elegant dishes in front of them.
"Why now?" Alicia asked after a while. "Why do you care about making amends after all this time?"
Stephen hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "Because I realized that running from the past doesn't erase it. Seeing you again reminded me of what I lost—and what I want to rebuild, if you'll let me."
Alicia's heart ached at his words, but she couldn't ignore the years of pain he had caused. "You can't just walk back into my life and expect things to go back to the way they were, Stephen. Too much has changed."
"I know," he said softly. "But I'm willing to start over. Even if it takes time, even if all you can offer is friendship—I'll take it."
She studied him, searching for any sign of insincerity. But his expression was open and vulnerable, a stark contrast to the confident executive she had seen at work.
"I don't know if I can trust you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then let me earn your trust," Stephen said without hesitation.
Their conversation was interrupted by the buzzing of Alicia's phone. She glanced at the screen and saw Emma's name.
"Sorry, I need to take this," she said, stepping away from the table.
"Emma? What's wrong?"
"I didn't mean to bother you," Emma said, her voice anxious. "But there was a letter in the mail today. It's from Aunt Maggie's creditors. They're demanding payment."
Alicia's heart sank. "How much?"
"It doesn't say, but the tone is… threatening."
"I'll handle it," Alicia said firmly. "Don't worry, Emma. Just focus on your studies."
As she ended the call, she felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. She returned to the table, her mind racing.
"Is everything okay?" Stephen asked, concern evident in his tone.
"It's fine," Alicia lied, forcing a smile. "Just some family matters."
But Stephen wasn't convinced. "Alicia, if there's something I can do to help—"
"You've done enough," she interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended.
Stephen leaned back, his expression unreadable. "I'm not trying to overstep. I just want to be there for you, the way I should have been before."
Alicia's resolve wavered, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. "I appreciate the gesture, Stephen, but this is something I need to handle on my own."
As they left the restaurant, Stephen walked her to her car. The night air was crisp, and the city lights cast a soft glow over the streets.
"Thank you for coming tonight," Stephen said as they reached her car. "I know this wasn't easy for you."
"It wasn't," Alicia admitted. "But maybe it was necessary."
Stephen nodded, his hands in his pockets. "If you ever need to talk—or anything else—you know where to find me."
Alicia gave a faint smile. "Goodnight, Stephen."
"Goodnight, Alicia."
As she drove home, her thoughts were a tangled mess. Stephen's words had struck a chord, but she wasn't sure if she could let her guard down again.
Meanwhile, Stephen stood on the curb, watching her taillights fade into the distance. He knew rebuilding her trust wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to try.
Both of them were left with lingering questions and a flicker of hope that maybe—just maybe—their story wasn't over yet.
---