A New Beginning or an End?

The morning sun bathed Brewster’s Café in a warm, inviting glow as Alexandra stepped inside at precisely 10 AM. The café was bustling with the usual morning rush, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the aroma of baked pastries. Alexandra’s heart beat faster in anticipation of the meeting. She spotted Jeremy already seated at a corner table, nervously stirring his coffee. His eyes lit up when he saw her, a flicker of hope crossing his face.

“Alexandra,” he greeted, standing up awkwardly before sitting back down. She nodded in acknowledgment and ordered her coffee—a caramel macchiato, her favorite—before joining him at the table.

The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and lingering emotions. Alexandra took a moment to gather her thoughts. She had rehearsed this meeting in her mind countless times, but now that it was happening, everything felt surreal.

Jeremy took a deep breath, breaking the silence. “I’d like to go first if you don’t mind,” he said,