Love Amidst Hidden Wounds; Desire Shadows

Seated by her lone window, her gaze stretched over the blinking skyline of New York City, a view she couldn't afford but held

ater barely held the cold at bay. She pulled her worn cardigan tighter, fingers lingering over a tear in the sleeve she hadn't bothered to mend. There wer

ed up before her double shift at the café earlier. Her face carried the kind of exhaustion that couldn't be masked

were interrupted as her phone chimed. She reached for it on the cracked coffee table, the screen lighting up with a notification

from the quaint hamlet she had left behind and tracking constellations. Her grandmother's words, "You were born to shine, Lorena," had alwa

tap at the door. There was Mrs. Dawson, her neighbor,

thought you might be hungry." Lorena's face reddened with

little. Don't forget to take care of yourself,"

urrent state of mind. She closed the door and sat back at the window, savoring the f

mers carried on through the afternoons, while impatient commuters demanded their

ight before closing

aken aback by his eyes, which were piercing, harsh, and uncompromising. He had walked through the café with such assurance that the normal conversation ha

ot and had almost dropped it. "Y-y

little smile. Please, bl

g a little under the intensity of his eyes. None of the many clients

n broken by his que

seemed sincere, unlike the typical sma

g day," she said

as he nodded. "Remain calm." The brightest stars m

ogne's subtle scent still permeating the air. Something about

put the empty plate aside. Her own faith in the stars and their promise o

im appear so... familiar? She dismissed the idea by shaking her head. She w

night. For the first time in weeks, she fantasized of a life outside her small apartme

ning. Through her flimsy coat, the cold hurt her as she walk

posing as the previous eveni

own her spine as he replied,

name?" With a tinge of malice in his eyes, his smile grew wide

couldn't place it, the name sounded familiar. She forced herself

y I get you another c

erious tone. "I have another p

went down. What

ed and left, leaving her with more questions than

decide whether to be happy or afraid, Lorena couldn't ge

uliar feeling of anticipation filled her chest. For better or worse, she k