Chapter 19: The Last Coffee-1
+25 Points
The bell above the café door had long stopped chiming by the time Maya finally untied her apron.
Sunday shifts were always brutal, but today had been relentless. A coworker had called in sick, and with the extra six hours she’d picked up, Maya had been on her feet for nearly fourteen straight. Her legs ached, her shoulders burned, and even her breath felt heavy in her chest as she stepped
into the cool night air.
The sidewalks were quiet now. The streetlamps flickered overhead, casting long shadows on the pavement as Maya adjusted her worn backpack and began the long walk home. The city had its own rhythm at midnight – softer, but not silent. A few cars passed. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed. The breeze carried the faint scent of oil and old asphalt.
She walked fast.
Her sneakers barely made a sound, but every few steps, she felt… something. A flicker of unease. Like eyes on her back.
She slowed once, turned subtly to glance behind her.
Nothing.
Just dark windows and empty sidewalks.
Still, her heartbeat quickened. The kind of quiet that felt too still. Her hands curled around the strap of her bag tighter.
Probably nothing.
Still, she quickened her pace.
When she finally reached her building, her hand shook as she unlocked the door. Once it clicked open, she slipped inside and turned the lock behind her, chest heaving as the silence of the hallway greeted her.
Safe. She was safe.
Inside the apartment, it was dim and peaceful. Jamie was already asleep, curled beneath his blankets in the room down the hall. His breathing was soft, steady. Maya let herself exhale.
On the small table by the kitchen, a covered plate waited beneath a neatly folded note.
Ms. Janice.
“Eat this while it’s still warm, sweetheart. You work too hard.” – J.
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Chapter 19 The Last Coffee 1
Maya smiled faintly. The warmth of the gesture almost made her cry.
+25 Points
She lifted the lid. Steamed vegetables and garlic chicken over rice. Her stomach growled, but the
fatigue was heavier. She hadn’t eaten since a sandwich at lunch, but now even chewing felt like too
much work.
Damien’s voice echoed in her head:
“Don’t be late Monday.”
She closed the lid again, slid the meal into the fridge.
No time for dinner.
She moved on autopilot – clearing stray clutter from the living room, preparing Jamie’s meds for the morning, lining up his vitamin bottles and water on the counter. She laid out his favorite hoodie in case it got cold, then checked the apartment door one more time before retreating to her tiny
room.
The shower was quick and cold. Her eyes were half-closed by the time she dried off and crawled
into bed.
It was almost 2 a.m.
Her body screamed for rest..
The alarm buzzed two hours later.
Maya’s eyes snapped open, heart pounding like she’d been yanked from deep underwater. Her body protested with every movement, but she rolled out of bed anyway, half-stumbling into the
kitchen.
She made Jamie’s breakfast – scrambled eggs, toast, and a slice of apple. Her own breakfast was just a dry piece of toast she nibbled as she got dressed. By 6:45, she was almost ready to go.
Jamie emerged from his room, hair tousled, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Hey,” she said softly, pouring him a glass of water. “I’m leaving in a bit. Don’t forget your meds,
okay?”
“Okay,” he yawned. “You have classes after work?”
“Yeah. I won’t be back until late. Do you need more library books? I can stop by.”
He shook his head. “I still have three. But maybe a book on Python or something with code. That’d
be cool.”
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chapter 19 The Last Coffee 1
Maya chuckled. “Python or something with code. Got it.”
At 6:59, she kissed his forehead, grabbed her bag, and stepped out into the early dawn.
The sky was still a smoky gray, sun barely cresting the horizon.
She took two steps… and froze.
A dark vehicle idled across the street.
Then the driver’s door opened.
And Beckett stepped out.
Maya’s heart skipped. Her breath caught in her throat.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.