Cafe Butterscotch
Bella looked up at Ben with tear-filled eyes.
"Br… brother… what will I do now?" she whispered, her voice fragile, the guilt still clouding her gaze.
"Hey, it's okay, dear. We're not accusing you of anything. Besides, he…"
Ben paused, choosing his words carefully.
"He…?" she asked, unsure and afraid of the answer.
"He's been searching for you everywhere. I think it's time you meet him and talk. Clear
everything, alright?"
Bella lowered her eyes and nodded slowly.
"Brother… if possible, can you please call him here? Maybe… tomorrow?"
"Sure, little chef. Don't worry," he said, gently patting her head.
From another table, Meg sipped her coffee, watching them with a soft, supportive smile.
Next day
Rick was with Alex at Gonzales Corp when his phone rang. Seeing Ben's name, he answered quickly.
A moment later, he looked at Alex. "Hey, Alex… I need a day off."
Alex raised a brow. "Ben?" he asked when Rick added that Ben wanted to meet him urgently.
With a small frown but no further questions, Alex granted the leave.
Rick left immediately and headed straight for Café Butterscotch.
Cafe Butterscotch
Bella sat waiting, her fingers twisting together anxiously.
"Hey, it's okay. Everything will be fine," Meg whispered, trying to comfort her.
A moment later, the bell above the door chimed. Both of them knew it was Rick.
The café was closed to customers that day, only this meeting mattered.
Bella's heartbeat quickened. Her breath caught.
Meg stood to welcome him.
"Please come in, Mr. Filsch."
"Ben… Benjamin Smith." Rick began, but Meg cut him off gently.
"I know. Come in. Someone is waiting for you inside."
Her tone made him frown in confusion, but he stepped in anyway. He walked further and saw a lone figure, a woman seated with her back to him. Every other table was empty. Meg quietly slipped outside, closing the door behind her.
Trusting his instinct, Rick approached.
"Excuse me?" he said softly.
Bella turned around, her eyes immediately filling with tears.
Rick froze, like someone had doused him with cold water. Surprise, shock, relief, happiness… all collided inside him at once.
"Bella…" he breathed.
She didn't wait another second. She threw herself into his arms, hugging him desperately.
He held her back just as tightly, his own eyes stinging with tears.
"I… I'm sorry," she choked out between sobs. "Please… forgive me."
"No, baby," he whispered, cupping the back of her head. "You did nothing wrong. I should've dealt with that b**ch long ago."
Bella cried harder as he held her, whispering soothing words.
They spent a long time talking, sharing everything they had missed, all the years that had slipped between them, the pain, the fear, the longing… and the relief of finally finding their way back.
Back to the main couple
The past two days had been hectic for everyone. Alex was buried in Gonzales Corp work and military duties. Rick and Ben were equally occupied helping Bella reconcile with her past.
Ria, on the other hand, had back-to-back surgeries with barely any rest.
Meanwhile, Nidhi Parker and Ben were still in the early, delicate phase of their new relationship when Ben learned about Bella's situation.
The very next day, Bella travelled with Ben and Rick to City C to visit her parents. She messaged her friends saying she was going home to her family, but didn't reveal any details. She only promised she would explain everything clearly once she was back.
Next day.
Cafe Butterscotch.
The three ladies gathered again at Café Butterscotch. The café was officially closed for the day, with no staff present.
"Finally, Bella is back with her parents," Ria said with a relieved smile.
Meg set down a coffee for herself and two glasses of juice for the others.
"Yeah. Everything went well," she replied.
"But I'm going to miss her special smoothie," Ria pouted.
Meg chuckled. "You'll have to adjust with this now."
"Yeah, yeah…" Ria mumbled, rolling her eyes playfully.
Meg's gaze shifted to Nidhi, who had been unusually quiet, stirring her juice without taking a sip.
"Hey, what's wrong, Nidhi darling?" Ria asked.
Nidhi looked up and gave a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"It's nothing. I'm just… not feeling well."
Meg frowned, but Ria squeezed Nidhi's shoulder gently.
"You should rest, baby. You haven't slept properly for two days straight."
Nidhi nodded. "Okay guys… I'm heading out."
Meg immediately stood. "Shall I drop you?"
"No, it's fine. I'll call a taxi."
"Alright then," Meg said softly.
Nidhi walked out, leaving her untouched juice on the table.
Meg sighed.
"Don't worry, Mamma Meg," Ria said, flashing a cheeky grin. "There's still space in my tummy. I'll drink it too."
She chugged her own juice and then reached for Nidhi's glass, patting her belly proudly. Meg chuckled at her sweetness.
"By the way, what's your plan for this evening? I heard you took leave today," Meg asked.
Ria's cheeks instantly heated. "That… I… I'm going out."
Meg raised her brows. "Oh? With whom?"
"Th-that… a friend," Ria murmured shyly.
"Yeah, sure. 'A friend'," Meg teased.
Ria cleared her throat, trying desperately to change the subject.
Meg laughed. "I'm happy for you, baby Ria. He seems like a good guy."
Ria nodded shyly.
"So… what phase are you both in?" Meg asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Phase?" Ria blinked, confused.
Meg slapped her own forehead dramatically. "I mean… have you kissed?"
Ria instantly turned red as a tomato.
"N-no! Stop it, Meg. We're just…."
"Oh God! I don't want to hear this 'friend' nonsense," Meg cut in.
"I must say, you're pretty slow," she whispered under her breath.
"What?" Ria asked.
"Nothing, nothing. Okay baby, come on. I'll drop you to the hospital."
Ria giggled and nodded.