Melanie

I grip the steering wheel tightly as I navigate through the familiar streets, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Marcus's words echo in my mind, his concern evident when I told him about meeting Daniel. But he didn't tell me not to go. He trusts me. That much is clear. And I won't betray that trust.

My heart races with a mix of nerves and excitement as I drive towards the café where I'm meeting Daniel. I can't wait to get this over with and see Marcus. I miss him so much. The last two nights without him by my side have been restless, filled with a longing to be near him, to feel his arms around me.

Finally, I spot the café up ahead, and I pull into a parking spot, my hands trembling slightly as I reach for my phone. I navigate through my contacts and tap on Mallory's name, holding my breath as the phone rings.

"Hey, Mel, where are you?" Mallory's voice comes through the speaker.

"I just parked outside the café," I reply, my voice trembling slightly with nerves.

"We're inside," Mallory informs me.

"Great," I say, relief flooding through me. "Is Daniel there?"

"Not yet," Mallory responds.

"Okay, I'll be right there," I say quickly before hanging up.

I step out of my car and lock it before making my way into the café. Spotting Mallory and Adam at a table, I walk over to them, my heart still racing.

"Hey, guys," I greet them with a hug, feeling grateful for their support.

"How are you feeling?" Adam asks, his concern evident in his voice.

"Anxious," I admit with a small smile. "But mostly, I just want to get this over with."

Mallory smiles reassuringly. "We'll be right here," she says. "Just call out if you need anything at all."

I nod gratefully, feeling a surge of gratitude for their friendship. Looking around the café, I spot an empty table not too close, but not too far from Mallory and Adam. It's perfect.

"I'll sit there to wait for Daniel," I tell them, pointing to the table.

Mallory pulls me into another hug. "Good luck," she says sincerely.

"Thanks," I reply, returning the hug before making my way to the table and taking a seat. The minutes tick by slowly as I wait for Daniel to arrive, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts and emotions. But through it all, one thing remains clear: I can't wait to see Marcus again.

As I sit at the table, my heart rate quickens with each passing moment. I'm so on edge that I almost jump out of my skin when Daniel enters the café. My heart sinks as he locks eyes with me and a smile spreads across his face. I can feel the tension mounting as he begins to make his way towards me, his gaze flickering momentarily to Mallory and Adam, who he clearly isn't pleased to see.

Ignoring the unease creeping up inside me, I plaster a polite smile on my face as Daniel takes a seat in front of me. "Hey, Daniel," I greet him cautiously.

"Hey, baby," he replies, his smile widening as he reaches out to hold my hand. But I pull away instinctively, my discomfort growing with each passing second.

"Don't call me baby," I say firmly, my voice tinged with annoyance.

Daniel's smile falters slightly at my rejection, but he quickly recovers. "I missed you so much," he says, his tone tinged with longing.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, trying to maintain a sense of composure. "What did you want to talk to me about?" I ask, cutting straight to the point.

Daniel's expression softens, and he reaches out again, this time gesturing to hold my hand. But I pull back once more, my resolve firm. "Melanie," he starts, his voice gentle. "I just want to talk."

We sit in silence for a moment, the tension thick between us. Then, Daniel speaks again, his tone softer. "You gained some weight," he remarks casually.

My heart lurches at his words, and I feel a surge of anger rising within me. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my emotions in check. "So what?" I retort defensively.

Daniel quickly backpedals, sensing my agitation. "Nothing," he says hastily, his tone almost apologetic. "It looks good on you."

I bristle at his attempt to smooth things over, but I choose to let it slide for now. "I know," I reply tersely, my voice clipped.

Daniel's hand twitches as if he wants to reach out to me again, but he hesitates, sensing my reluctance. "I... I miss you, Melanie," he says earnestly. "I miss us."

His words hang in the air between us, heavy with unspoken implications. I want to scream at him, to tell him that it's over, that there is no "us" anymore. But instead, I force myself to stay calm, to keep my emotions in check.

"And what do you want from me, Daniel?" I ask, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

Daniel's expression softens, his eyes searching mine as if trying to decipher my thoughts. "I want us to try again, Melanie," he says finally. "I want to make things right between us."

I shake my head, unable to believe what I'm hearing. "You can't just expect everything to go back to the way it was," I say, my voice rising with frustration. "Too much has happened, Daniel. Too much has changed."

"Maybe that's for the best," he says, his tone almost resigned. "Maybe that's what we needed, for things to change."

I shake my head, feeling frustration bubbling up inside me. "You don't understand," I say, my voice tinged with exasperation.

"I do," Daniel insists. "These two weeks apart showed me how much I care for you. You have to know that I love you."

A bitter laugh escapes my lips, and I can't help but feel a surge of resentment. "How would I know that?" I ask, my voice cracking with emotion. "You never told me you love me."

Daniel's eyes widen in surprise, and he shakes his head adamantly. "I did," he protests.

I scoff, feeling a surge of frustration coursing through me. "You only said 'me too' when I said 'I love you,'" I remind him pointedly. "You never actually said the words."

Daniel looks down at his hands, his voice barely above a mumble. "The words are difficult for me," he admits quietly. "But I do, I love you."

My heart tugs at the sight of Daniel, defeated and vulnerable before me. But I have to stay strong. "It's a little late for that," I say softly, meeting his gaze with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. "Right now, I just want to be alone. You have to understand that, Daniel. No matter how much you push, it won't change the fact that I need to be alone right now."

I'm taken aback when Daniel raises his head and looks into my eyes, tears welling up in his. "So this doesn't have anything to do with Marcus?" he asks, a tear falling onto his cheek.

I swallow hard, feeling a pang of guilt at the pain evident in his eyes. "Whatever decision I've made about my relationship with you, Marcus had nothing to do with it," I assure him firmly.

Another tear falls from Daniel's eyes, and he nods silently. "Okay," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

Daniel continues to stare at his hands, his shoulders slumped with defeat. I glance at Mallory, who looks exasperated, her brow furrowed with concern. With a deep breath, I turn back to Daniel, steeling myself for the difficult conversation ahead.

"Danie," I begin softly, my voice wavering slightly as I see the tears still streaming down his cheeks.

Daniel raises his eyes to meet mine, his expression a heartbreaking mix of sadness and desperation. I feel a pang of guilt tug at my heart. "Mel," he whispers, his voice choked with emotion.

Taking another deep breath, I push aside my own feelings of guilt and apprehension. "I... I feel threatened by you," I admit reluctantly, my voice barely above a whisper. "You... you have to pull back a little."

Daniel looks offended, his brows knitting together in confusion. "I could never hurt you, Mel," he protests earnestly.

I shake my head, feeling tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "That's how you made me feel," I say softly, my voice barely audible over the din of the café.

Daniel's expression softens, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I'm just... so desperate to get you back."

I swallow hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. "You should start getting used to the idea that we won't be together anymore," I say, my voice trembling with emotion.

Daniel starts to sob, his shoulders shaking with the weight of his grief. "So... there's no chance we'll get back together?" he asks brokenly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

I reach out to hold Daniel's trembling hand, my heart breaking at the sight of his anguish. "I'm sorry, Daniel," I say softly. "But... but we probably won't get back together again."

Daniel sobs harder, his tears falling freely as he mumbles brokenly, "I ruined the first relationship I ever cared for... the first one I ever worked hard for. What does it all matter then? No matter what I do, I end up alone."

I tighten my grip on his hand, feeling the weight of his despair bearing down on me. "Hey, hey, don't say that," I say softly, trying to offer some semblance of comfort.

But Daniel continues to sob, his words coming out in choked sobs. "If it didn't work out with you, Mel, it won't work out with anyone," he insists, his voice filled with anguish. "I'm so in love with you, and I tried so, so hard."

Tears prick at my eyes as I listen to his heartbreaking confession, my own heart breaking for him. But deep down, I know that I can't change how I feel. And I can't continue to let Daniel believe that there's hope for us when there isn't.

"Danie, please don't say that," I implore, my voice trembling. "You'll find someone who will make you happier than I ever did."

Daniel's sobs gradually subside, and he wipes the tears from his eyes, his gaze meeting mine. "No, Mel," he insists, his voice wavering. "I won't. I'll be waiting for you, and I know that one day you'll come back to me."

My heart clenches at his words, a mixture of sadness and guilt swirling within me. "Daniel," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the din of the café.

He stands up, his expression wrought with pain, and takes a step back. "I love you, Mel," he says softly, his voice breaking with emotion.

With a final, heart-wrenching glance, he turns and walks away, leaving me sitting there, feeling utterly lost and consumed by a flood of conflicting emotions.

I sit there for a moment, watching Daniel's retreating figure, feeling a heavy weight settle in the pit of my stomach. The café seems to blur around me, the noise of chatter and clinking dishes fading into the background as I'm consumed by my own thoughts.

Mallory and Adam approach me, their expressions filled with concern. Mallory reaches out to touch my shoulder gently. "Mel, are you okay?" she asks softly.

I force a weak smile, trying to push aside the overwhelming wave of emotions crashing over me. "I'll be fine," I reply, though the words taste bitter on my tongue.

Adam pulls up a chair beside me, his brow furrowed with worry. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asks, his voice gentle.

I shake my head, feeling the tears threatening to spill over. "Not right now," I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... need some time to process everything."

Mallory nods understandingly, her eyes filled with empathy. "Of course, Mel," she says softly. "We're here for you, whenever you're ready."

I manage a nod in response, grateful for their support. But deep down, I know that this is something I'll have to face on my own. Daniel's words echo in my mind, his tearful declaration of love haunting me as I struggle to make sense of everything.

With a heavy sigh, I glance at my phone, half expecting to see a message from Marcus. But the screen remains blank, and a sense of loneliness washes over me like a tidal wave. Marcus... I long to see him, to feel his arms around me, but I can't tonight. I know that I have to face him eventually, but after this I just want to be alone. I just hope he'll understand.