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The sun is comingup as I step out of my penthouse, buttoning my suit jacket. The morning chill hits my face like a slap. It feels refreshing.
I walk the few blocks to a local café, appreciating the quiet of the city — the regular hustle and bustle hasn't started up yet.
As I step into the café, the smell of fresh brewed coffee hits me, and I head to the counter.
"The usual, Hunter?"
I nod and hand the barista my credit card.
While waiting for my order, I spot a familiar face from the corner of my eye. Seated at a corner table, with her head buried in a book, is Kaitlyn. She's so into her book that she hasn’t noticed me.
I grab my coffee and walk towards her. I haven't seen her since she stormed out of my office with her mother. I stand in front of her, my shadow falling onto the pages of her book. She looks up, her face breaking into a surprised grin when she sees me.
"Dad... What are you doing here?"
"Getting coffee," I respond, gesturing with my cup. "May I?" I look at the chair across from her.
She nods hesitantly and I sit down. I sip my coffee in silence for a few minutes, not sure where to start. I'm afraid to say the wrong thing in case she'll bolt out of my sight again.
"Kaitlyn." I take a deep breath. "I've missed you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything."
She crosses her arms over her chest, her face hardening. "How could you do this, Dad? How could you go behind my back like this?"
"I... I was trying to let loose, have a good time."
She leans back in her chair, studying me with those piercing eyes that are too much like her mother's. "You know, I remember telling you to do something fun, Dad," she says in a pointed tone. "I was thinking more along the lines of skydiving, or maybe buying a stupidly expensive sports car. I did not—not—mean for you to do something quite as... fun as my best friend." She emphasizes the last two words, raising her eyebrows playfully. Despite her banter, I see the hurt still lingering in her eyes.
"Maybe I got a bit carried away," I admit, my fingers tightening around my cup.
She raises an eyebrow, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Carried away... with Maya," she says and the name hangs heavily between us.
"Yes," I say, looking her in the eyes.
"Well... do you like her?"
"I really like Maya."
She looks down at her book and then back up at me. "What are your intentions with her, Dad?" she asks, her voice steady. "If you're going to be with her, it needs to be because you really want to be with her, not just some... mid-life crisis fling."
I nod, understanding her concern. "I want to be with her, Kaitlyn. Really." I hope she can see the sincerity in my eyes. "But there's a little problem... Maya isn't talking to me. She's cut off all communication."
"What do you mean she's not talking to you?" Kaitlyn's frown deepens.
"I mean she's blocked my number, won't answer my emails, and she quit her job." The reality of the situation hits me harder when I say it out loud.
"Fuck, Dad. You need to figure this out. You know Maya, she's stubborn. She's also my best friend, and I don't want to see her hurt."
"I know, Kaitlyn." I lean forward. "And I don't want to hurt her either. I just... didn't handle things well."
"Then make it right, Dad. Do whatever it takes to fix this."
Kaitlyn’s words hang in the air between us. "Otherwise…" she hesitates, her gaze hardening. "Otherwise, I think it'd be best if we don't see each other." Her words are like a punch to the gut.
I have tried to reach Maya — so many calls and texts, all unanswered. I run my fingers through my hair, desperation creeping in.
I need to make this right.
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