June 23rd, 7:14 PM
Lily sank into the couch and turned on the TV.She grabbed the popcorn she'd just taken from the microwave, settled under a blanket, and pressed play.
Peace.
For exactly twelve seconds.
Her phone rang.
She stared at it. Rolled her eyes.
Then smiled.
She answered and put it on loudspeaker.
"You did this intentionally, didn't you?"
"Oh? Why would I ever do that?" the male voice replied innocently.
Then he started laughing.
She sat up. "Jonathan."
"Fine," he admitted. "Yes, I did. This is revenge for the time you kept blowing up my phone with texts while I was trying to watch the final episode of The Bulldogs."
Lily gasped. "You were being dramatic."
"You sent seventeen messages."
"It was fifteen."
"Seventeen."
She paused the movie and picked up her phone, switching off speaker.
Hearing his voice did something to her. It softened edges she didn't know were sharp.
"Are you there?" he asked. "Did you pause the movie?"
She smiled to herself."Yes, I did. I can continue later. It's on Netflix anyway."
A small stretch of silence followed — the comfortable kind.
Then—
"So… Rosalinda?"
Lily groaned dramatically."Ugh. I knew that's why you called."
Jonathan laughed again. The sound was warm. Familiar.
"It sounds like the lead character in one of your dramatic telenovelas."
"My mom's favorite telenovela," she corrected.
"Ohhh. Even better."
She leaned back into the couch.
"She used to say I reminded her of her favorite character," Lily said softly. "She said she was resilient. Stubborn. Caring. And that she always achieved her dreams."
There was a pause.
Then his voice shifted — deeper, sincere.
"Well… she wasn't wrong."
Her breath hitched slightly.
"And that's what I love you for."
She smirked. "That's not what you said when I wore those tight jeans."
Jonathan burst out laughing.
"Okay, listen— that was a completely different conversation."
"Mm-hmm."
"But I'm serious, Rosa," he said, softer now. "I actually love you for that."
The teasing faded.
The air between them changed.
And suddenly the movie didn't matter at all.
***
Michael handed the bartender a sheet of paper."Bring this list tomorrow when you come in."
The bartender nodded and left. Michael locked the door behind him and flipped the sign from We're Open to Sorry, We're Closed.
The restaurant fell quiet.
Michael walked back and sat across from Jonathan, who was finishing his drink.
"I think you kind of scared Lily when you mentioned that name," Michael said carefully. "Is it special to both of you or something?"
Jonathan exhaled slowly.
"Yeah. It was a name only her mom and I knew. I don't know… it just slipped out."
"I could see she looked stressed."
"She is," Jonathan said quietly. "I don't think she's fully recovered from everything."
Michael studied him for a moment.
"I mean… she named a restaurant after you."
Jonathan froze.
"What?"
"Yeah," Michael continued. "A restaurant. Or maybe it's a café."
Jonathan straightened. "You're serious?"
Michael pulled out his phone, scrolled, and handed it over.
Jonathan stared at the picture.
The place looked warm. Cozy. Intentional. Soft lights. Wooden finishes. A sign with his name carved elegantly across it.
"Wow," he breathed.
"Yeah," Michael said. "She even has pictures of you on the wall. I thought it was a bit much. I mean… what if she moved on?"
Jonathan handed the phone back, a faint, conflicted smile forming.
"But that's not the reason you came back," Michael added. "You have to figure that out."
"You?" Jonathan raised a brow. "I needed help. That's why I came to you."
Jonathan leaned forward, eyes sharper now.
"As I said," Michael continued, "when someone comes back like this, it's either you or the other person has unfinished business. So…"
"So what, Michael?" Jonathan's tone grew impatient.
"So it could be you're back because of Lily… or because of something completely different. And that 'different' is what we're supposed to find out."
Silence lingered.
"Maybe," Michael suggested, "you should start checking his emails. Documents. Schedules. Closet. Anything that could give us a clue."
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"But how are you going to get his laptop password?" Michael asked.
Jonathan's lips curved slightly.
"I'm pretty sure his butler will know."
"Butler?" Michael blinked. "Butler?"
"Yes," Jonathan said calmly. "This guy is crazy rich."
His phone began vibrating on the table. He glanced at it, then turned it off.
"I guess the driver is outside."
Michael stared at him. "You have a driver too?"
Jonathan stood and adjusted his jacket, posture confident but thoughtful.
"Temporary privileges."
Michael chuckled under his breath. "Alright. Let me know when you find something."
Jonathan gave him a quick dap and headed toward the door. Michael walked him out but paused before opening it.
"But wait… what are you going to do about Lily?"
Jonathan stopped.
For a second, all the calm faded. The confidence slipped.
He looked tired. Torn.
"I'll figure it out," he said quietly. "On my own. Don't worry."