#Chapter 37: Late Again
Abby

The once golden glow of the candles seems dull now. The shadows in the room stretch longer, a stark

contrast to the beautifully set table, pristine and untouched. The wine, once poured with anticipation,

sits still, a silent witness to my growing anxiety. The aroma of the truffle oil, once intoxicating, now only

serves as a bitter reminder of the love I had poured into preparing for this evening.

The clock on the wall seems to mock me with its relentless ticking, each second stretching into an

eternity. My phone lays idle beside me, and the absence of a call or message from Adam weighs

heavily on my heart.

Trying to ward off the budding dread, I take a deep breath and dial his number. “Maybe he’s stuck in

traffic or something,” I think to myself. “Or, g od forbid, he got into an accident.”

After dialing his number, I hold my phone up to my ear with a shaky hand. The soft hum of the ringtone

echoes in the silence.

After what feels like a lifetime, he answers. The din of background noises hits me instantly—shouts,

laughter, the unmistakable hustle and bustle of his restaurant.

My stomach sinks. He’s working. I should have known better.

“Adam?” My voice quivers slightly.

“Abby? What’s up?”

His casual tone catches me off guard, and I try to steady myself. “What’s up? Seriously? You were

supposed to be here over an hour ago!”

“Oh…right. About that,” he starts, his voice hurried and distracted. “Look, Abby, I got swamped here.

Thought maybe you wouldn’t mind if I sat this one out. You know, have dinner by yourself? You can

save me some leftovers for tomorrow, right?”

Tears pr ick at my eyes, and I feel a twinge of anger. “This wasn’t just about the food, Adam! It was

This was

this once, I actually wanted you to follow

interrupts. “Don’t make

my lip to keep it

sighs. “I’m sorry, Abbs. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. We

you know?”

you took me out?” I counter, sarcasm

like last week, when I took you out for

request, might

angrily. “Be honest with me, Adam,” I say, pinching the bridge of my

been able to work that night. It

your restaurant and

almost hear him gritting his teeth on the other end, and it’s

to work that night, I would have, Abby. You know how

we still had fun,

along that he would have rather gone to work that night, but hearing it

is like reopening

“Admit it: we had fun. It

I hiss. “Yeah,

just like you always do when we’re together. It’s like… It’s like you

me unless

for a moment. The sounds of the bustling

cacophony in my ears. I think I can hear him put his hand over the receiver

my blood boil even more.

finally says. “Of course I

that aspect anymore. I’ve noticed how much Adam

but that’s his own problem to

hurt from that evening flooding back.

intimate with me.”

room, taking in the details—the vibrant colors of the fresh roses, the

the soft evening

few hours ago.

is silent again, this time

“Adam?” I call out.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” he

Adam? What about our relationship?” I ask, my voice catching in

Abby. But my restaurant needs me right now, and I can’t be

just reschedule?”

the final straw. Tears stream down my face, and I

you even suggest that? I put my heart and soul into tonight. This

you can just push to another

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