Anna sat quietly in the passenger seat, looking out the window as the city lights blurred past. Jace's car hummed softly beneath her, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in her mind. Every part of her was screaming to stop, to turn back. But she couldn't. She couldn't stay in that apartment, surrounded by memories that only hurt more each passing moment.
When they arrived at his apartment, he didn't say anything, but his eyes—full of concern, confusion, and something else—spoke volumes. He opened the door for her, and she stepped out, her legs trembling. This wasn't Anna, this wasn't the girl who controlled everything. But right now, she needed to not be in control. She needed his presence, his calm, his warmth.
He locked the door behind them as they stepped inside his apartment. It was cozy, with soft lighting and the smell of something faintly sweet in the air. Jace motioned for her to sit on the couch, while he went to the kitchen to grab them both some water.
The silence between them felt comfortable, yet charged. She could still feel the ghost of her dream tugging at her. But when Jace came back, holding two glasses of water, she knew she was in the right place. He handed her a glass, and they sat down together.
"Anna..." he began, his voice soft but serious. "I'm glad you're here. But... are you sure about this? About us?"
Anna looked into his eyes. She saw the warmth, the genuine care, the concern for her that had been there since the beginning. The uncertainty, however, was still there too.
"I... I think I've spent too long chasing something that isn't real," she said softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Maybe I'm just tired of living in a world where I can't touch the things I want."
Jace's gaze softened, and he placed his hand gently over her. "You don't have to chase anything anymore. I'm here. And I will be. No matter what."
His words wrapped around her like a blanket, but there was still a piece of her—a shadow in her heart—that couldn't let go of the dream. Her imagination had painted a love so deep, so intoxicating, that she didn't know how to walk away from it.
But maybe it wasn't about walking away from it. Maybe it was about moving forward, with Jace—someone real, someone who wanted to be there for her, someone who had never asked for anything in return.
With a playful smile, she asked, "Can I take a shower?"
Jace's eyes twinkled as he let out a laugh, "Yes, baby girl. You can do whatever you want."
Anna shot him an angry look, crossing her arms. "When did I become a baby girl?"
Jace leaned in a little, his grin widening. "When I became your Jacy."
She rolled her eyes, but there was something in his playful tone that made her smile despite herself. She walked towards the bathroom, but just before stepping inside, she turned back to him, "You know, you can be pretty annoying."
He chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I'm only annoying because you like it."
She narrowed her eyes at him, shaking her head. "I'll let you think that, Jace."
She shut the door behind her, but she could still hear him laughing from the other side. It wasn't a bad sound—his laugh. It was easy, comforting. She couldn't help but smile as she stood under the warm water, letting it wash away some of the tension from the day. But even as the water ran over her skin, her mind couldn't escape the feeling that Jace had somehow already become a part of her.
After a quick shower, she stepped out, feeling refreshed. The aroma of something delicious hit her the moment she walked into the kitchen. Jace was standing there, his back to her as he stirred something in a pot.
"Smells amazing," Anna said, walking up behind him.
He turned around with a grin. "You know, I can do more than just make you laugh, baby girl."
She raised an eyebrow, trying not to smile. "You sure about that? Because last time I checked, you made me burnt toast."
Jace chuckled, but he was quick to defend himself. "That was an accident. This... this is gourmet."
She couldn't help but tease him. "Okay, let's see if you can top my signature burnt toast."
He set the plate in front of her, his eyes twinkling. "You won't need any toast after this."
She took a bite, and it was perfect—delicious, comforting, just what she needed after the chaotic whirlwind of her thoughts.
"Okay, okay," she admitted, her mouth full, "this is way better than toast. I'll give you that."
Jace laughed, sitting down across from me. "I told you."
They ate together in comfortable silence, the tension from before slowly melting away.
They finished their supper, feeling full and content. The evening had been easy, calm — a welcome change from all the chaos in her head. They made their way to the bed room, where Jace had already set up the bed with blankets, clearly intending to sleep there.
Anna looked around, her mind still buzzing from everything. "Jace," she said, hesitating for a second, "there's only one bed. What are we going to do?"
He gave her a teasing grin. "I'm sure we can figure it out."
She laughed nervously, trying to act casual. "I wasn't planning on crashing in the same bed with you. I'll sleep on the couch."
Jace raised an eyebrow, his gaze playful. "Don't be silly. It's fine. We're both adults, right?"
Her heart raced a little faster. There was no escaping the awkwardness of the situation, even though his words were casual. She didn't know what she was feeling anymore, whether it was the comfort of his presence or the temptation to cross a line she hadn't planned on crossing.
She hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," he said, his voice steady, as he moved toward the bed and pulled the blankets back. "It's just sleep, Anna. Relax."
The room was quiet for a moment as she stood there, unsure whether she should stay in this safe, familiar space or retreat back to her own comfort zone. But, despite the tension, there was something about being near Jace that felt right. Her body told her to stay, even though her mind wasn't entirely convinced.
she walked to the bed, and Jace made room for her beside him. As she slipped under the covers, she tried to ignore the flutter in her stomach. "Goodnight, Jace," she whispered, pulling the blankets up to her chin.
"Goodnight, Anna," he replied softly, his voice close.
She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But all she could feel was the warmth of him next to her, and the question of whether she was ready for the next chapter.
She sank into sleep, slow and silent, worn from the weight of dreams that burned.
Mind adrift and body weary, she slipped into the world where memories turned.
Again, the castle rose around her —Its golden halls, a dream reborn.
She stood alone, heart pounding wildly, a fragile soul, both lost and worn.
She waited there, where moonlight lingered.
Each second danced in ghostly rhyme. But he… he did not come to meet her, and silence swallowed space and time.
Her voice broke through the aching stillness, tears cascading down her face:
"Where are you? I'm still waiting! Please come back — this is your place!"
Only echoes dared to answer, her cry returned from stone and sky.
The walls wept with her desperation, but love… love did not reply.
Her dream world dimmed, dissolving fast, the light was gone, the shadows vast.
Darkness crept in, thick and deep, and Ana feared what hid in sleep.
She cried aloud, a frightened plea, "Help me! Help!" — a soul set free.
The silence cracked, a voice broke through, "Anna, wake up! I'm here with you!"
Jace, his voice laced with despair, held her close with tender care.
Tears streamed down her trembling face, she clung to him — her only grace.
He brushed her hair, his voice was like an ointment, healing her, "Shh, I'm here. You're safe. Stay calm."
No darkness now, no dreams to fear, a voice whispered in her ears,
"I'll always stay —I'm always near."
Jace's words hit her like a storm, but somehow, they felt soothing. His arms wrapped around her tighter, as if trying to shield her from the world and all the pain that lingered within her. She could feel his warmth, his steady heartbeat, and for a moment, it felt like everything was going to be okay.
Anna didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she could let go of him—him, the man from her dreams. But Jace... he was real. He was here, with her, in this moment, trying to mend the broken pieces she hadn't even realized were scattered inside her.
"I don't want to lose you," she whispered back, her voice trembling. "But I don't know how to let him go."
Jace's hand gently cupped her cheek, lifting her face to meet his. His gaze was intense, sincere, and full of an emotion, she couldn't fully name. "You don't have to let go all at once," he said softly. "But I'll be here with you, every step of the way."
She closed her eyes, letting the comfort of his words wash over her, even though a part of her was still lost in the past, still holding on to the memory of a dream. But for now, Jace's presence was enough. For now, his warmth was enough to fill the emptiness.
As he held her, her heart began to beat in a way that felt real, unclouded by past memories. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something she never expected... but desperately needed.
That night she didn't see more dream. She woke up with a refresh mind, with Jace's breath.
(To be continued....)