Miguel hesitates, turning his head akin to an almost robotic motion. His blood pounds in his ears and his knees feel weak as he locks eyes with the woman he once loved. The same woman who had shattered his heart and crushed his ego.

"Steph," he breathes, his arms hanging weakly at his sides.

She appears unchanged from the day she ended their relationship – long, blonde hair flowing down to her lower back, hazel brown eyes, and full lips adorned with a nude matte lipstick.

"Miguel, you're getting married?" Steph mutters, her eyebrows knitting together. "I was gone for barely a year, and you're getting married?"

The whispers behind Miguel start to escalate, and he gathers himself.

"It's nice to see you, Steph," Miguel begins. "Everyone, please say hi."

"Um, hi, Steph," Joshua attempts. "Long time, no see."

Linda doesn't bother to offer a smile or a curt nod. She's never had a soft spot for Steph, fully aware that the sentiment is mutual. Besides, Linda is firmly on Team Thalia. Steph's abrupt appearance is not only inconvenient but also a potential spark for unnecessary drama.

Oh, drama? Perhaps it'll be interesting... So long as it ends well.

"Hello, I'm a new hire. I'm Lorenzo," Lorenzo says, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Oblivious to Steph's identity, he's the only person unruffled. Joshua discreetly informs him, and his eyes widen just a bit, understanding the awkwardness of the situation.

Steph manages a small smile and a wave, then resumes interrogating Miguel. "Well, why aren't you answering?"

Miguel inhales deeply, an unnerving duo of discomfort and guilt infiltrating him, though, truth be told, he shouldn't feel this way. Steph chose to pursue her own goals, and he supported her wholeheartedly. However, he couldn't accompany her on that journey. The breakup, in his memory, was somewhat mutual, despite Steph's fiery departure involving slaps, curses, and a shower of colorful insults.

"Yes, I am," Miguel answers.

Her face wrinkles. "Is it someone I know?" asks Steph, voice croaking. Miguel swallows and inches closer to her.

"Let's talk outside," he suggests, gently grabbing her elbow and guiding her toward the Remedy Cafe across the street, a place laden with memories from their past. It's not the reason he's selected this spot; he needs a nearby and somewhat neutral space to converse and untangle the knots between them. To check on her well-being. Then, inevitably, part ways. He longs for a civil exchange where slapping and yelling don't play a role.

Miguel orders their familiar drinks—a chai latte for Steph and a medium roast coffee for himself. He places them on the table and then sits in front of her, his legs tucked closer to him, careful not to have any physical contact.

"So, uh, how are you, Steph? What brings you back to the city?"

Steph's eyes are already red, her knees drawn together as she absentmindedly picks at her manicured fingernails.

"I don't want to do small talk," she says. "Who is she?"

Miguel sighs, feeling his energy slowly draining away. He can't fathom how he endured Steph's intensity for five years. "It's Thalia."

Steph snaps her head back, hissing, "Thalia? Who's that?"

"She's one of our staff."

"Her? Your employee? Are you joking?" With a flutter of her lashes and lips curled in disdain, Steph's evident disbelief amplifies Miguel's increasing frustration.

This certainly isn't the reunion with Steph that he had in mind. Not that he's truly ever cared much about the idea of meeting again.

"I'm not."

"How on earth did that happen? You barely spoke to her!"

"It's a long story," he replies. "Just, it's her. We're getting married in July. That's all there is to know."

Steph's chin visibly quivers, a solitary tear gracefully tracing down her cheek.

"Why... Why are you crying?" Miguel asks, fidgeting.  A few months ago, he might have felt suffocated by the sight. Funny how time has hardened him. He's now entertaining the idea that these tears can be nothing more than crocodile tears, a strategic ploy to manipulate him into giving her desires.

"I don't understand. Why you're here, and why you're reacting like this. We broke up. You ended things with me. And you've been dating someone else."

"I brought up marriage several times, but you always dodged the topic," she states, shifting gears. "And we were together for half a decade, Miguel."

A vortex of guilt sweeps over him, leading his gaze to drop to his coffee cup.

Alright. He'll admit to this accusation. He cherished Steph deeply; however, what she's currently asserting is valid.

There was something that restrained Miguel from sealing his fate with Steph as if he carried an innate sense that they weren't destined to be endgame. So, he unintentionally bided his time, waiting for a reason to conclude their relationship. It's not the same with Thalia. Heck, he offered to marry her right away, albeit a fake one at first!

In short, what Miguel shared with Steph was sincere, but the time they had spent together pales in comparison to the depth of connection he feels with Thalia. Acknowledging this truth is unsettling, and an urge to escape and seek out his fiancée forms within him.

"Has it even been six months? You're marrying someone you barely know," Steph states disapprovingly, pulling him away from his thoughts. "What are you doing? This is insane, and it's unlike you."

He'll let it go. Steph can call it what she wants, mainly because he knows she's feeling betrayed. "Thank you for your concern, Steph, but I have made up my mind. Don't worry about me." He sips his coffee, discovering little comfort in its warmth.

"I came back for you," Steph confesses.

Miguel's mouth falls agape, his mind a sudden void. He's detected the vibe but holds onto the desperate hope that he's read it wrong. "What are... What are you talking about? You have moved on. In New York," he replies. "Didn't you call me a hopeless loser for wanting to stay here?"

"I gave you the time you needed to think things through. That's all," she explains, avoiding reference to the last words she had uttered to him. "You don't want to inherit the store, right? It's time, Miguel. You can move with me. You can just stream anywhere."

He feels a twinge of deja vu, and he wearily runs his hand across his face. "Steph, we've had this conversation... When you left, I was in limbo, with no clear plan in sight. I confess... The thought of leaving this city did cross my mind at one point."

"Then let's–"

"But I've also changed my mind. I'll take over the store."

Miguel has kept this revelation close to his chest, not sharing it even with his parents or Thalia, as he meticulously ponders his next move. Sure, the money's rolling in from his channel, no doubt about it. But he has to face it--relying solely on that isn't exactly a stable long-term plan. He might be killing it right now, but with new creators popping up left and right, he's bound to lose some steam eventually. He knows that much about the life cycle of being a public figure.

And, to be honest, Miguel intends to retreat back gradually into a more private life. He doesn't want to put himself and Thalia under scrutiny for too long. That one video is proof enough that the internet is a jungle.

Inheriting the business is the realistic path, the one that can provide a solid foundation for both Miguel and Thalia (and their future kids, but that's a tale for another time!). He envisions it as a way to relieve her from the daily struggles of making ends meet, giving her freedom to pursue what truly ignites her passion. Convincing Thalia to fully trust in him may require some effort, but as husband and wife, he believes she'll find the strength within her rock-solid independence to lean on him, even if just for a while.

There's nothing in this life that he wants more than to witness her happiness, and being in the field she wants will be the key.

On top of all that, though it might be a bit early to spill the beans, Miguel has toyed with the idea of opening a branch on the West End. The thought of leading an expansion plan gives him an exhilarating thrill, and as a bonus, it's a chance for Miguel to dive into his family's heritage.

Meanwhile, Steph's complexion loses its color further, and she appears on the verge of tears once more. Her eyeliner smears across her pallid face.

"Steph, please."

"No, Miguel. I don't understand this. How could you change so fast?"

Miguel exhales, casting a sympathetic glance her way. "I'm sorry, Steph. I don't know what you want to hear from me, but I... I simply don't feel that way anymore—"

Steph cuts in, rising abruptly from her seat and slamming her hands on the table, drawing the attention of other customers. She bares her teeth, reminiscent of her past meltdowns, ones he had struggled to diffuse. All he could do then was shower her with gifts and words of affirmation (thanks to her insistence on taking a love language test) until she calmed down.

But it's not the same anymore.

"Steph—"

She storms out of Remedy Cafe.

Miguel watches her cross the street, the passing cars momentarily concealing her figure until she vanishes from his view entirely. As he reflects on his words, another wave of guilt crashes over him.

He was harsh.

But Steph had led him into thinking she'd moved on with another man. Led him to believe he was stuck, that he was stagnating when he was merely in transition to accept what he's meant to do all along.

Miguel leans back in his seat, savoring another sip of his coffee, feeling the tension from the confrontation dissipate. His reflections shift eagerly to the one person who has been occupying his mind throughout the entire encounter, his anticipation growing with each passing second.

"Okay, let's go meet Thalia."

******

"You're early," Thalia remarks, handing Miguel a glass of water as he leisurely takes a seat at her desk. His frequent visits have gradually dispelled any embarrassment she once felt about her living situation. In fact, he seems to find the space cozy, even hyping the convenience of reaching Thalia in just a few steps.

Apparently, it's all about perspective.

No way in hell is Thalia buying it, however, because she's well aware that he's attempting to uplift her spirits. Not that it matters much. After all, in the near future, she'll be moving in with him.

"I had nothing to do at the store," he mutters, omitting how he had talked to the staff and given them explicit instructions not to tell her anything about Steph's abrupt visit.

There's nothing to hide, but there's also no need to stir the pot unnecessarily. While a part of him is curious about her possible reaction and whether she'll feel a flicker of jealousy, he's content with the way things are and wouldn't have it any other way.

As Thalia places a glass on the table, Miguel reaches out and grabs her hand, preventing her from moving elsewhere. "How was your day?"

"Oh, you know. Did chores. Grocery shopping," Thalia replies. "Let go. I want to sit."

He yanks her, and she falls on his lap. "Okay, sit here."

Thalia blushes, peering at him. "What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing," he whispers, nuzzling his nose into her neck. "I just missed you."

"Stop it. I smell like fish."

"No, you don't. You smell great," he counters, enveloping her in the safety of his arms.

Thalia pokes his forehead with a finger. "I feel like you did something wrong."

"I swear I didn't. Can't I just get some cuddles?"

"Alright..." she concedes. "Just cuddles."

"Yup. Just cuddles. Unless you're in the mood for something else... I'm always down."

Thalia sticks her tongue out. They haven't really done more than what they've already done during the trip, which doesn't bother her. She is more than a hundred percent sure that this man is smitten with her.

And she's the same. Hence, her dilemma.

An imaginary scale hovers over her head, love on one side and family and career on the other. What holds more weight?

"Miguel, uh, my sister got a scholarship. For university."

"Oh? That's fantastic."

"It is, yeah. I can set aside the money I've been saving for her tuition fees..."

He raises his head, locking eyes with her. "That's awesome. You can loosen up now. You can stop doing those reports for me, too. If you want."

Thalia sucks her teeth, uncertain about how to approach the topic or if she even needs to. The brand-new information leaves her wondering about her options. Can she reenter the workforce back home? Pursue the same career?

Miguel tilts his head. "What are you thinking about?"

She meets his gaze, drawn to his rich obsidian eyes, so kind, and only focused on her.

"Nothing," she mutters, looking away.

Thalia must be lacking all sense. How can she even consider breaking Miguel's heart?

******

A/N: What do you guys think about Miguel's encounter with his ex? Is Thalia overthinking? Let me know what you think about this chapter! xx