The morning sun streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the small room. Alana stood transfixed, her mind racing, trying to reconcile the reality of her situation with the memories of her past life. She was back in 2020, living in her old apartment, years before she had met Ricardo. It was an opportunity to change everything, to avoid the mistakes she had made, to create a life that was truly her own. But the weight of her previous experiences was heavy, a constant reminder of the pain and disappointment she had endured.
She spent the morning lost in thought, replaying key moments from her past, analyzing her decisions, and strategizing her next moves. She knew she couldn't simply erase Ricardo from her life; he was too powerful, too influential. But she could control how she interacted with him, she could avoid falling under his spell, and she could protect herself from the heartbreak she had suffered before.
As she pondered her options, her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a text message from her best friend, Chloe.
"Hey girl! Wanna grab coffee at The Daily Grind later? Heard they have a new barista who's super cute!"
Alana smiled. Chloe had always been her rock, her confidante, the one person who had always believed in her, even when she didn't believe in herself. She remembered how Chloe had warned her about Ricardo, how she had sensed his coldness and his detachment. She had dismissed Chloe's concerns at the time, blinded by Ricardo's charm and wealth. But now, she knew Chloe had been right all along.
"Sure," she replied. "What time?"
"Around 3?" Chloe texted back. "See you then!"
Alana spent the next few hours cleaning her apartment, a small, cluttered space that was a far cry from the sprawling mansion she had shared with Ricardo. But as she scrubbed the floors and dusted the shelves, she felt a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in years. This was her space, her sanctuary, a place where she could be herself, without pretense or expectation.
As she got ready to meet Chloe, she made a conscious effort to dress down, opting for a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt instead of the designer clothes she had become accustomed to wearing. She wanted to be Alana, not Mrs. Ricardo Vargas.
When she arrived at The Daily Grind, Chloe was already there, sipping a latte and scrolling through her phone. She looked up as Alana approached, her face lighting up with a wide smile.
"Alana! You look amazing!" Chloe exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. "What's with the casual look? Did you finally ditch the billionaire?"
Alana laughed, a genuine, heartfelt laugh that she hadn't realized she had missed. "Not yet," she said. "But I'm working on it."
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Spill the tea!"
Alana hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. She couldn't tell Chloe the truth, that she had somehow traveled back in time. She would think she was crazy. But she could hint at her growing dissatisfaction with her marriage, her feeling of being trapped and unfulfilled.
"Let's just say I'm starting to realize that money isn't everything," she said. "And that I deserve more than being a trophy wife."
Chloe nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "You always deserved more, Alana. You're smart, talented, and beautiful. You shouldn't waste your life trying to please someone who doesn't appreciate you."
As they talked, Alana felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. It was good to be back with Chloe, to be reminded of who she was before Ricardo had entered her life.
Suddenly, Chloe gasped, her eyes widening. "Oh my god, Alana, he's here!"
Alana frowned. "Who's here?"
Chloe pointed towards the entrance of the coffee shop. "The new barista! The one I was telling you about! He's even cuter in person!"
Alana followed Chloe's gaze and her breath caught in her throat. Standing behind the counter, pouring a latte with effortless grace, was Ricardo Vargas.
He was younger, more carefree than she remembered, without the weight of the world on his shoulders. He hadn't yet experienced the tragedy that had shaped him into the man she had married. He was simply Ricardo, the barista, with a charming smile and a twinkle in his eye.
Alana's heart pounded in her chest. What was he doing here? Was this some kind of twisted joke? Had fate decided to play another cruel trick on her?
She wanted to run, to escape before he saw her. But it was too late. Ricardo looked up, his eyes meeting hers. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, followed by a warm, genuine smile.
"Alana?" he said, his voice smooth and melodic. "Is that really you? I haven't seen you in ages!"
Alana forced a smile, trying to appear calm and composed. "Ricardo," she said. "What a surprise."
He leaned over the counter, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What are you doing here? I didn't know you were a coffee aficionado."
"I'm meeting a friend," Alana said, gesturing towards Chloe, who was staring at Ricardo with undisguised admiration.
"Well, it's great to see you," Ricardo said. "Maybe we can catch up sometime? I'd love to hear what you've been up to."
Alana's mind raced. Should she agree? Should she try to avoid him at all costs? She knew that getting involved with Ricardo again would be dangerous, that it could lead to the same heartbreak she had experienced before. But she also knew that she couldn't simply ignore him. He was a part of her past, and he was now a part of her present.
"Maybe," she said, her voice noncommittal. "I'll think about it."
Ricardo smiled, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment. "I'd like that," he said. "I'll see you around, Alana."
As Ricardo turned back to his work, Alana felt a shiver run down her spine. This was going to be more complicated than she had anticipated. She had thought she could simply avoid Ricardo, erase him from her life. But fate had other plans. She was back in his orbit, drawn to him once again, like a moth to a flame.
Chloe nudged her, a mischievous grin on her face. "Wow, Alana," she said. "You know Ricardo Vargas? And he's flirting with you? You have all the luck!"
Alana sighed. Luck had nothing to do with it. This was a curse, a test, a challenge that she had to overcome. She had to find a way to navigate this new reality, to protect herself from Ricardo's allure, and to create a future that was truly her own.
As she sat down with Chloe, sipping her coffee and trying to focus on their conversation, Alana couldn't shake the feeling that she was on a collision course with destiny. And that this time, the stakes were higher than ever before.