Let Her Notice

Under the dazzling spotlight, Maddy, the visionary architect, celebrated a dream come true. Her designs had transformed urban horizons.

Her childhood sketches, filled with dreams of soaring structures and graceful arches, had blossomed into reality. Tonight, as she held the award, a sense of profound fulfillment washed over her, a reward for her artistic vision and unwavering dedication.

The award wasn't just a prize; it was a celebration of her artistic vision and technical prowess. Her latest project, a harmonious blend of steel and glass, had earned international praise. It was poetic justice, considering her initial hesitation and the formidable experience of her peers.

As the applause filled the room, Maddy's mind raced back to the countless hours of tireless work, the unwavering support of her team, and the invaluable friendship that had sustained her through it all.

“I owe this award to my incredible team who inspire me daily. They push me to be the best version of myself. This isn’t just my win, it’s ours. A special thanks to my best friend, J.J., who’s been my rock from the start. You’re the best.” As she descended the stage, tears welled up in her eyes. J.J. was there, ready to steady her. “You were amazing up there,” he whispered. She smiled gratefully and asked, “So, where are we eating?” He grinned. “All you think about is food, huh?” She playfully shoved him. “Of course! It’s my true love.”

Twenty minutes later, the event concluded. J.J., anticipating Maddy's eagerness to celebrate, had arranged a surprise party. He'd sent the team ahead and planned to delay Maddy. But as he prepared to leave, he realized she was lost in thought, oblivious to the world around her. Unbeknownst to him, a recent text had derailed her focus.

"Are you okay?" J.J. asked, noticing her distant gaze. Maddy snapped out of her thoughts, "Yeah, I'm fine." She looked around, realizing everyone had left. "Sorry, I zoned out," she apologized. "Tired? Let's grab a bite before heading home," J.J. suggested. "I think I'll head home," she replied. "You need to eat," he insisted. "Come on, it's the perfect way to unwind after all those sleepless nights." But Maddy seemed distracted, her mind elsewhere.

They started towards the carwhen Maddy's phone interrupted the silence. Her face, once radiant, clouded over. J.J., sensing her turmoil, asked, "What's wrong?" She forced a smile, "Nothing." But her eyes betrayed her. Her phone rang again, and he couldn't bear it anymore. He snatched the phone and read through the string of messages. "It's him again?," he hissed. "How did he find you?" he demanded. "I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What does he want?" he asked, his heart pounding. "He wants to meet me now," she confessed. "No," he declared, his voice firm. "He said if I go, he'll leave me alone," she pleaded. "He'll hurt you," he warned. "I know, but it's the only way," she replied, her voice filled with resignation.

Reluctantly, J.J. agreed. "Fine, but I'm going to be nearby. I won't leave you alone with him. Where does he want to meet?" he asked. Maddy gave him the address of a nearby coffee shop.

The man, easily recognizable by his distinctive posture, was already seated by the window. J.J. positioned himself at a distance, keeping a watchful eye on them. The man noticed J.J. but ignored him.

"Hi," the man awkwardly greeted her. "Please, sit down. Would you like something?" he offered. Maddy declined. "I only have a few minutes," she said coldly. "Of course," he replied nervously. "You look great, by the way." She cut him off. "Why am I here?" she demanded. "I'm getting married," he confessed. "You called me here for a congratulations card?" she asked sarcastically. "No, I wanted to apologize," he said.

When you left, I was a wreck. I tried to reach out, but you had blocked me everywhere. At first, I thought you'd eventually come back, feeling sorry for me, but when you didn't, I knew it was over. Then I met my fiancée, who's so much like you—kind, intelligent, and understanding. Meeting her felt like a second chance at life.

"So, you're marrying someone like me to make up for it?" she asked, incredulous. "No, that's not what I meant," he stammered.

"I was a terrible person, and I caused you a lot of pain. I realized I needed to change after meeting my fiancée. Seeing how similar she was to you, I knew I had to heal myself to avoid repeating the same mistakes with her. Once I recovered, I knew I had to seek your forgiveness. I’m truly sorry, Maddy. You’ll always be important to me. I also hoped we could possibly keep in touch and become friends”.

Maddy stared at him, then said, "I forgive you. That's the closure you wanted, so here it is." As she turned to leave, he grabbed her arm. J.J. lunged forward, ready to intervene, but Maddy pushed him away. "I came here, I forgave you. What more do you want?" she demanded. He stammered an apology, but she cut him off. "I've done my part. Now, keep your promise and leave me alone. Get married and move on." She stormed out, with J.J. following close behind.

The man watched them go, filled with regret. He remembered their pattern: he’d make mistakes, she’d forgive him, and they’d pretend everything was fine. But this time was different. Just as he had sought healing, so had she. He couldn’t force her to stay; he could only hope she’d find happiness. He knew he had to accept his fate and move on.

Outside, J.J. found Maddy huddled by the car, tears streaming down her face. The encounter had brought back haunting memories. J.J. approached gently, his arms outstretched. He knew she needed comfort. "I fought so hard to move on," she sobbed. "He claimed to have changed, but when I looked at his eyes, they showed a haunting reminder of the past."

"It's okay," J.J. whispered. "It's over. He apologized, you forgave him, and now there's nothing tying you to him anymore." He surrendered. "You're finally free. Now you can truly soar." He reminded her of her brilliance and how far she'd come as an award-winning architect.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. The encounter had stirred old wounds, but she also remembered the happiness she'd felt whenever she'd looked beside her and seen J.J. lifting her spirits after every heartbreak. Every joyful memory she had involved him, and her heart-beat with a unique rhythm. She held him tightly. "You're right," she said, wiping her tears. "I need to embrace the future. His problems are no longer mine. I've fulfilled my purpose and now I need to focus on what's truly important." She looked at him with gentle eyes.

"Exactly!" J.J. declared. "Let's eat!" Maddy's stomach growled in agreement. They arrived at a darkened restaurant. "It's closed," she stated. "It's the theme," J.J replied. "A dark theme?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

J.J. flung open the door, illuminating the room. Her team erupted in cheers, startling Maddy. J.J watched her, his eyes filled with pride. "If only she knew," he thought, a bittersweet longing filling his heart. He cherished her deeply but understood her need to focus on herself. He was prepared to wait, no matter how long it took, and in the meantime, he would remain steadfast, guarding her from harm