The Death game

washed and the low murmur of the last remaining patrons. I made my way to the back, wher

n it. It was a tall guy with a face I recognized the pianist whose music had become a balm

ht," he said softly, his voice a gent

n the turmoil inside me. "You could say that

and listen for a while? Music has a way

d around me, offering a brief respite from the chaos. For a moment, I allowed

o keys. Theodore was playing "Mia and Sebastian's Theme," and the way his body moved

stic perfection as if he had been sculpted by a master artist. It was

ked quietly, his fingers s

. trying to clear my mind," I wh

" he asked softly, his voi

the sound. "No, an ex matter

me fully. "And why not? A beautiful

reasons I had buried deep within. Maybe it was fear, or maybe I

asked, hoping to steer the convers

es. "You can call me Theo." He giggled, and his laughter was infectious, making me

le silence. Theo's presence was a balm to my frayed nerves, his easy de

re, playing piano in my restaura

It's my escape, my passion. I came across your restaurant one night, and so

need for an escape. "Music has a way of d

ightly. "Yes, it does. And sometimes, it bring

d woven through shared understanding and unspoken emotions. It was a moment

ly, breaking the silence. "For

felt like a gift. "Any

nds and new uncertainties. For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope, a

ad heard someone calling me by it earlier. His girl

on?" I asked calmly, my curio

g at me with full attention,

I mean, from a stran

idered my question. The soft light from the restaurant cast a war

e who's been hurt but still stands strong. There's a depth to you, Valarie, a strength that

hem cutting through the layers of my guarded exteri

creating something meaningful-like this restaurant. There's a kindness in your eyes, even when you try to hid

way I hadn't expected. "It's not easy, you know," I admitted, my voic

But you don't always have to be strong. Sometimes, it's

ight of his words. "I guess I

near mine in a gesture of suppor

e, I felt a connection, a bridge over the chasm of my lonel

t made me feel safe. "Anytime, Valarie. So

y back to my apartment. The quiet of the night enveloped me, offering

an resurfaced with brutal clarity-the way he left me, how sudden and merciless it was. It was a

a personal loss. Instead, he broke up with me before I had the chance. The next day, I found out he was leaving for Florida.

eeting moments and stolen glances. The emotions, the feelings-were they a

fresh and raw. I cried, my tears soaking the pillow as the pain washed over

of a relationship; it was the shattering of trust, the loss of a dream I had once held dear. As the nigh