When Hazel finally pulled away from our kiss, the silence between us felt heavier than the humid air. We hugged, a slow and unsure, but deeply warm embrace, when she stepped back, I could still feel the phantom echo of her heartbeat against my own.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered, offering a small smile before turning and walking down the street.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice soft. "Tomorrow."
I watched her until she was swallowed by the shadows between the streetlights, her figure disappearing into the night. The walk home was a blur, my mind still trapped in the moments before Jean's interruption, replaying the softness of her lips, the quiet apology in her eyes, and the sound of my name on her breath.
But mixed with that warm haze came a cold clarity that
I was done. Done with the noise, the constant interruptions, the half-life I had built in that shared apartment. For the first time, I truly wanted a space that was mine. Somewhere I could breathe. Somewhere I could potentially build something real, with her.
When I got back, Jean was already asleep, his loud snoring filling the tiny room. I lay on my bed staring at the cracked ceiling, the glow from my phone illuminating my face in the darkness. My thumb hovered over the screen before I opened a rental app and started scrolling.
Most listings were depressingly expensive or impossibly far, but then one caught my eye. A small studio apartment, clean and bright in the pictures, and it's somehow, within the ragged edges of my budget.
The photos weren't perfect, but they were enough. Enough to let me imagine mornings without someone else's dirty socks on the table. Enough to picture Hazel's laughter filling the space instead of Jean's gaming screams.
I made my decision right there, under the blueish glow of my phone.
Tomorrow, I would go see it.
Even if it meant spending every last coin I had, I would buy my freedom.
The next morning, I woke before sunrise. The small ache in my cheek was a dull reminder of the chaos, but I didn't care. I drafted a quick message to the office.
Luke: "Hey, not feeling well today. Might need to rest. Sorry."
The reply came quickly, permission granted.
By nine, I was out of the apartment with a backpack slung over my shoulder. The day smelled of recent rain and city dust, and every step I took felt lighter. The neighborhood where the new place was located surprised me with its quiet streets and small, green corners. The landlord, a woman in her forties with a kind face, showed me around with a polite smile.
The apartment wasn't big not small either, but it had clean white walls, a small balcony, and sunlight pouring through the windows, painting golden rectangles on the bare floor. I stood in the center of the empty living room for a long moment, the silence a physical presence, and imagined it as mine.
"I'll take it," I said finally, the words leaving my mouth before I could second-guess them.
She blinked, surprised. "You don't want to think about it? Look at a few others?"
"I've done all the thinking I need to," I replied with a confidence that felt both new and natural.
We finished the paperwork, and I handed over nearly all my savings. My wallet felt empty, but for once, the hollow feeling in my chest was gone.
Afterward, I walked around the nearby shops, picking up a few basics, a simple lamp, a single comfortable chair, a cheap but matching set of plates. I decided to keep my old bed; it was still good enough, a piece of my past I could bring into this new future.
That's when my phone buzzed.
Hazel: "Hey, are you okay? You didn't come in today. I got worried."
I smiled at the screen, the simple concern warming me more than the afternoon sun.
Me: "I'm fine, promise. Just needed a day off. I'll see you after work, yeah?"
Hazel: "Okay. Don't disappear on me again."
I could almost hear the gentle chiding in her voice.
---
By late afternoon, I headed back to the old apartment to pack my life into a few boxes. Jean was on the couch, but his eyes weren't glued to his phone. The usual, vibrant grin was replaced by a smaller, more subdued expression. When he looked up, I could tell he already knew.
"So… you're really moving out, huh?" he said, his voice a little bit quiet.
"Yeah," I answered, not stopping my packing. "I made the choice last night."
He tried to laugh, but it came out strained and awkward. "Because of me, right? I screwed things up with your girl. I'll change, bro. I swear, no more barging in, no more stupid teasing."
I shook my head. "It's not about that, Jean. I've been thinking about it for a long time. I just… need to learn to live alone. It's time."
He stared at the stained carpet for a second before standing up. "Guess I can't argue with that." When he looked at me again, his usual playfulness was gone, replaced by a raw sincerity. "You've been like a brother, man. I'm gonna miss this."
"Me too," I said, and I meant it.
When the car came, he helped me carry my boxes down without another word of complaint. We shared one last, solid fist bump before I closed the car door. For all his chaos, Jean had a good heart.
By evening, I had the few pieces of my furniture arranged in the new apartment. The space was minimal, but the silence was perfect, broken only by the sounds I chose to make. I lay on the bed, exhaustion pulling at my limbs, and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling, finally—a sense of peace. I texted Hazel.
Me: "Where should we meet?"
Hazel: "Just tell me where to go. I'll come straight after work."
I smiled to myself, a plan forming.
Me: "I'll pick you up. Got a surprise."
And I did. Tonight wasn't just about seeing her. It was about showing her the first real piece of my new life, about finishing the moment Jean had shattered. I could already picture her reaction, the blush of surprise, the wide-eyed disbelief, the shared warmth.
My mind wandered to what might happen after the tour, after the excitement settled. The thought of finally being truly alone with her, with no one to interrupt, sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine and made me grin like an idiot.
---
At five, I took a quick shower, throwing on grey sweatpants and a black hoodie, wanting to be comfortable. I headed out into the cool evening air, which carried the clean scent of impending rain.
I waited near the street we'd agreed on, my heart hammering against my ribs as I saw her approach. Hazel looked stunning, wearing a elegant beige coat over a simple black dress, her hair tied back in a loose style that framed her face. She smiled the moment she saw me, a sight that never failed to steal my breath.
"You look good," she said, her eyes lingering on me a second too long.
"Just trying to match your level," I joked, falling into step beside her.
I led her to a quiet restaurant I'd scouted earlier, tucked between two older buildings. It was all dim lights, soft jazz, and intimate booths occupied mostly by couples. Her eyes widened as she took it in.
"Luke… this place looks expensive," she said, her voice mixed with awe and concern.
I shrugged, guiding her to a table. "Just enjoy it. We're celebrating."
We sat down, and she leaned in, her tone softening with curiosity. "So… why didn't you come to work today? Everyone was asking about you. Mark was complaining that his workload doubled."
"I just needed a break," I said, skirting the truth for now. "A real one."
She frowned slightly but let it go as the waiter arrived. We ordered, and I simply asked for whatever she was having. As we waited, she told me more about the office chaos in my absence, how Anna had been unusually tense, and how the accounting department was in a minor uproar over a misplaced file.
"It sounds like they can't function without you," she teased gently.
I chuckled. "I doubt that. But I'll be back tomorrow."
Soon, we were laughing again, the conversation drifting to easier topics. The food arrived, grilled fish and fragrant rice, still steaming. It was perfect.
Between bites, she reminded me about the company event that weekend. "It's some big celebration for the team's performance. You better show up this time," she said, pointing her fork at me playfully.
"I'll be there. I promise," I said, meaning it. Then, I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "And after we finish here, I'm taking you somewhere."
Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Where?"
"That's the surprise. But you'll love it," I said, watching a blush creep onto her cheeks. She was excited, and I knew she understood the unspoken promise, the chance to pick up where we left off.
For a while, everything was perfect. The food, the atmosphere, the way she looked at me.
Then her phone buzzed on the table.
Her expression changed instantly, freezing like a deer in headlights. I didn't have to ask who it was. The name Ethan lit up the screen like a curse. Her fingers trembled as she stared at it.
"Answer it," I said, my voice quiet but sharp enough to make her flinch.
"Luke, I don't think..." she started, her voice pleading.
"Do it," I repeated, the word final. "Put it on speaker."
Reluctantly, her hands shaking, she did. She couldn't say no; she didn't want to disappoint me, and in that moment, my desire to confront this ghost outweighed everything else.
"Hazel?" Ethan's voice slithered out of the speaker, casual and lazy, dripping with a familiarity that made my skin crawl. "Where are you? I miss you."
I felt something cold and hard snap inside me. The sound of his voice, the sheer audacity, after everything he had done,
Hazel's eyes filled with tears, her composure shattering. "Ethan, please, not now—"
"Don't," I cut in, standing up so quickly my chair scraped loudly against the floor. The other diners turned to look. I looked at Hazel, at the tears streaking her makeup, and the anger in my chest tightened into a cold, hard knot. "Don't talk to me until you fix your matters."
"Luke, wait.." she cried out, her voice breaking.
But I was already walking away, leaving the perfect dinner, the surprise, and the shattered moment behind me. Outside, the night air hit me like a wave, doing nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest. My pulse thundered in my ears, a wild drum of anger, heartbreak, and the bitter taste of a night ruined.