I've been here ever since two years and nine months. Now, I have two months left before I can leave." Martins said
It was a cool Saturday evening, and after therapy, everyone returned to their rooms. Martins was allowed to hang out in Juliet's room for two hours before sleep time. As the hours passed, Martins asked if he could stay a bit longer. Juliet agreed with a smile, happy to have his company.
They sat talking and laughing, and for a moment, Juliet thought to herself, This is the first time anyone, aside from my parents, has made me laugh so hard. I want to keep this connection. This feels real.
As their conversation continued, Martins shared that he only had two months left before leaving the recovery home. Curious, Juliet asked, "What are you going to do when you get out? Do you have a place to stay? A job? Are you moving in with your sister?"
Martins sighed. "No, I'll probably go back to the streets and figure something out, but I don't know where to start. My history with drugs makes it hard to find anyone who will hire me."
Juliet thought for a moment and said, "We'll figure out something tomorrow because going back to the streets will only bring you right back here."
Martins nodded, then smiled. "For a moment, I thought maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Here, I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and… I have you to talk to."
Juliet chuckled, her heart warming at his words. She was beginning to fall for Martins, though she didn't recognize it as love just yet. Martins, too, was starting to feel the same but couldn't fully grasp what it meant. They both lay awake that night, questioning the unfamiliar emotions they felt.
Juliet stayed up thinking about Martins—his smile, his laugh, his hand gestures, the way he spoke. Everything about him seemed perfect. Martins, on the other hand, was filled with excitement, grateful that Juliet wanted to help him. For the first time, he didn't feel so alone.
The next morning, Juliet joined the chefs in the kitchen to help prepare breakfast. It was part of her trauma therapy, teaching her how to be comfortable around fire again. While she cooked, Martins was searching for her, forgetting she had morning tasks.
Once Juliet finished, she rushed to his room, but he wasn't there. On her way back, she saw Martins coming out of her room.
"Martins!" she called, curious. "What were you doing in my room?"
He smiled. "I've been waiting for you. I missed you and wanted to see you."
He gently touched her hair and asked, "How did you sleep? Did you sleep well? Do you mind if I touch your hair?"
Juliet laughed. "I like it when you do that. You do it on purpose, don't you?"
Martins grinned. "No… but this time, it's intentional."
They locked eyes, smiling, until the dining lady called them for breakfast, snapping them back to reality. After breakfast, Juliet suggested they go out and sit under a tree. "I have something to tell you," she said.
Martins grew curious and nervous. What could she want to say? he wondered. Does she feel the same way? Or is she going to pull away? His mind filled with questions, unsure of what was coming next .
Martins and Juliet went outside, and Juliet said, "What I wanted to tell you is that I'm willing to let you stay in one of my father's houses. I want you to manage one of his businesses for me."
At first, Martins refused. He wondered, What will I gain if I leave here only to end up back in the same situation? This recovery home has felt like a prison, but this could be a fresh start. Still, he hesitated. If I agree right away, will she think I'm only after her money?
Juliet insisted several times, reassuring him. "Don't think I'm trying to use you, or that I'm letting you use me. I just need someone I trust to manage the business. Without a good director, the company could collapse."
After thinking it over, Martins finally accepted. Juliet smiled and said, "I've already informed my lawyer. He'll visit the recovery home and officially assign you to the job. You'll start earning your own income and give back to the company. You can stay in the house I'll move into once I leave here. But you must come see me every weekend so we can spend time together."
Martins was overwhelmed with happiness. He hadn't felt this kind of joy in years. He hugged Juliet tightly, then gave her a quick kiss. Immediately, he stepped back, apologizing, "I'm sorry. I wasn't supposed to do that. Please forgive me."
Juliet smiled and drew him back toward her. "It's okay," she said, and they kissed again. Realizing they were in a public spot where someone could see them, they decided to go back to Martins' room.
Since Martins shared a room with a friend, Juliet suggested they go to her room for privacy. They spent two hours together, holding hands and kissing, feeling more connected than ever. Neither of them spoke about it, but they both realized they truly cared for each other.
Later that night, after Martins had left, Juliet couldn't stop smiling. She stayed up until 2 a.m., thinking about their first kiss and how happy she felt. On the other hand, Martins was equally grateful. He thanked God for the opportunity to meet someone like Juliet someone who not only cared about him but also believed in his potential. It was the first time he had kissed someone without feeling ashamed, and it felt perfect.
The next morning, Martins was so happy he couldn't hide his excitement. He went straight to Juliet's room and found her still in bed. Concerned, he asked, "Are you okay? You seem a bit down."
Juliet looked at him for a moment, then softly said something that completely shocked Martins.