Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! I truly appreciate your support!
This is a smaller chapter, more of a passage of time, covering about three weeks since we last saw Mercedes. But don't worry—things are about to get exciting! I'll be posting the next chapter later today, and trust me, it's going to be worth the wait! Take care :)
Chapter 4: Keep Moving
The rain had stopped days ago, but the streets still carried its memory. Puddles lingered in the cracks of the pavement, reflecting the pale gray sky above. Mercedes didn't mind the cold as much as she thought she would; it kept her sharp, awake. The brisk air stung her cheeks as she jogged the short distance from her apartment to the gym, her breath visible in quick puffs.
Inside, the warmth hit her immediately, and the steady rhythm of treadmills and clanking weights filled the space. She dropped her bag into a locker and tied her hair back, already mapping out her routine in her head.
Thirty minutes later, she was deep into her workout, the burn in her legs and arms a welcome distraction. The playlist in her earbuds was upbeat and relentless, pushing her through the final sprint on the treadmill. She wiped her face with a towel, catching her reflection in the mirror. Her skin glowed with effort, her expression set and determined.
The rest of her day unfolded like clockwork. At work, she breezed through meetings and tackled her tasks with the same focus she brought to the gym.
Back home, she curled up on the couch with her laptop. The evening news played in the background as she scrolled through her favorite fashion blogs. Her finger hovered over an ad for a holiday dress sale, but she scrolled past it quickly. Not yet.
By the time she crawled into bed, her body was pleasantly tired, but her mind buzzed with satisfaction for all her latest achievements. The rhythm of her days had become steady and purposeful—work, gym, home, family, friends, repeat. She was busy, focused, doing everything she could to keep her thoughts in line and her heart out of the equation.
The thing with Sam felt like it had happened ages ago, a distant ripple in the stream of her life. She chuckled softly, remembering Jane waving her phone in the air, excitedly showing her a new dating app. "You should totally download it," Jane had insisted, her grin wide and mischievous.
At the time, Mercedes had laughed it off, but now, lying in the dark of her room, it didn't seem like such a bad idea. A few dates with someone who could hold a decent conversation might not hurt. Still, the thought felt distant, like a book she wasn't quite ready to open.
There was too much on her plate right now—end-of-year reports at the agency, the whirlwind of upcoming holiday events, and her own quiet goals. No, she decided, dating could wait. She'd think about that part of her life when the new year rolled around.
For now, her focus was clear: close the year with strong numbers at work and show up—fully present—for everything ahead.
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Another week passed in a blur, the days blending together. Mercedes had been out the night before with her friends, exchanging Christmas gifts and chatting about Brittany's upcoming launch party. The evening had been lively, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses, but now she found herself craving a quieter moment, something grounding.
It was Wednesday. The faint scent of lavender lingered in her apartment as she wiped her hands on her apron and leaned closer to her phone. Her mom's face filled the screen, as polished as ever—her hair swept back in soft waves, gold hoops glinting as she sipped her tea.
"Alright, Ma, don't judge me too hard," Mercedes said, holding up the bowl. "Is this batter supposed to look like this?"
Athena peered at the screen, squinting slightly. "Baby, did you follow the recipe exactly?"
Mercedes hesitated, avoiding her mother's knowing gaze. "Define exactly."
"Mercedes," Athena scolded gently, setting down her tea. "What did you do?"
"I might've eyeballed the measurements. I mean, who really has time to level flour perfectly?"
Athena laughed and just watched her daughter work for awhile, before starting hesitantly.
"So...you've been telling me all these great things about work and your friends, but what about your love life? How's that going?"
Mercedes groaned, rolling her eyes. "Ma, don't start."
"I know, I know," Athena said with a soft chuckle. "I'm not trying to push you. I just think that, with everything going so well for you right now, maybe it's time to let someone in. You deserve that, baby."
"I'm good, Ma. Really. I've got enough on my plate with work and everything else."
"Okay, you're right," Athena said with a mischievous smile. "Maybe let's wait until you get those measurements right first."
"Hey!" Mercedes laughed, holding up the bowl again. "I'm trying, okay? I thought I'd bring it to the office tomorrow. You know, bribe my coworkers into thinking I'm a domestic goddess."
"Well, add a little more milk to that batter, and maybe it won't taste like cardboard."
"Noted." Mercedes set the bowl down and leaned closer to the phone.
"I miss you, Ma. When are you coming to visit?"
"When you stop burning cakes," Athena shot back, though her voice was soft. "I miss you too, baby. I'll come up soon, I promise. Maybe for my birthday?"
"It's a date," Mercedes said, her heart squeezing a little at the thought. "Love you, Ma."
"Love you too. Now go save that cake before it's too late."
Mercedes laughed as the call ended, the screen going dark. She glanced at the bowl, then toward the oven, determination setting in. "Alright, batter. Let's do this."
She grabbed the milk and got back to work.
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Two weeks later...
Mercedes pulled her dark glasses from her head as she took the elevator to the second floor. Her sister's boutique was high-end and located in one of the city's most luxurious malls. It was Vivian's pride and joy, a testament to her ambition and impeccable taste.
The sleek marble floors reflected the soft glow of modern chandeliers, while racks of designer clothing were spaced just far enough apart to make every piece feel like a treasure. A team of impeccably dressed employees bustled about, assisting customers with practiced grace.
Mercedes stepped inside, greeted by the faint scent of vanilla and the hum of soft house music. Vivian, dressed in a flowy skirt, sweater and angle boots, was at the register, overseeing a transaction. She looked up and smiled when she saw her sister.
"Hey! Look who decided to grace us with her presence!" She teased, handing off the clipboard to an employee. "What brings you here, sis? Don't tell me you've finally realized I run the best boutique in town."
Mercedes laughed. "I've always known. But today, I need you. Brittany's big party is coming up, and I need something that screams 'effortlessly fabulous.'"
Vivian tilted her head, appraising her sister. "Brittany's dance studio opening, right? I get it. That's a huge deal. I know exactly how she must be feeling." She groaned, referred to the opening of a second location of her store. She would complain sometimes, but Mercedes knew she was loving every minute of it.
"How's it going, by the way?" Mercedes asked.
"Well, the paperwork's almost done. I'll take you to see the building soon, you'll love it! But enough about me—let's find you something amazing."
She led Mercedes to a rack near the back. "I already have the perfect dress in mind. Wait here."
As Vivian disappeared into the racks, Mercedes took a moment to look around. The boutique was a far cry from the small shop Vivian had started with years ago. This was a full-fledged success story, and Mercedes couldn't help but feel proud.
"Here it is," Vivian said, returning with a long sleeved burgundy dress that shimmered slightly under the light. "This is the one."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "You sound awfully confident."
Vivian smirked. "Go and see it for yourself."
Mercedes stepped into the spacious fitting room, and when she emerged, Vivian's face lit up.
"See?" Vivian said, gesturing dramatically. "I told you. That dress was made for you!"
Mercedes turned to look in the mirror. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, and the rich burgundy color made her skin glow. She smoothed the fabric over her hips and couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, you were right. This is the one." Mercedes admitted. "And that was faster than I expected," She added as she stepped back into the fitting room to change.
"Well, I know my stuff," Vivian said smugly.
"Now I just need to find the jewelry to go with it."
"I have the perfect set. Hey, did you drive all the way here? Cause since you're done early, you come with me to pick up Lucas from school. He'd love to see you. Then we can stop by the house to grab the jewelry you'll use, and maybe order pizza."
Mercedes chuckled at her sister's enthusiasm as she stepped out, holding the dress. "Well, I see you've already made all the plans. But I actually love it. I could use some quality time with you guys. Let's go."
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Three weeks had passed since Mercedes had last seen Sam Evans, and during that time, she had pushed thoughts of him to the back of her mind. Life had kept her busy, and she'd focused on her work, her friends, and the little joys of everyday life. But tonight, everything was different. Tonight was all about celebrating Brittany's big achievement—her new dance studio downtown.
As she stood in front of the mirror, she couldn't help but smile. This wasn't just any night. It was a night to celebrate her friend's success, to be surrounded by the people she cared about, and to enjoy the kind of evening that promised memories. The last thing she needed was to get caught up in old feelings or second-guessing herself.
Especially with how she was looking. The outfit was killer—she looked hella good, if she did say so herself. Her skin was glowing, her hair was perfectly styled, and the burgundy dress hugged her curves just right. She felt confident, ready to step into the night and enjoy herself.
A sultry R song played softly from her notebook as she quickly tidied up the room. She folded the clothes that had been scattered across the bed, took the empty takeout box to the kitchen, and made sure everything was in order. The last thing she wanted was to come home to a messy apartment after a night out.
When she was satisfied, she walked thought a small cloud of her favorite fragrance grabbed her clutch, checking that she had everything she needed, and headed out the door.
The cool evening air greeted her as she stepped into the street, the city lights twinkling ahead. It was the perfect late November night—crisp, with a chill in the air that made her feel alive. She couldn't shake the feeling in her chest, that little spark of excitement, like something big was about to happen. Maybe it was just the anticipation of the evening, or maybe it was something else. Either way, Mercedes felt a sense of nervous energy as she walked toward the waiting taxi.
"Damn, girl!" Tina slow-clapped as Mercedes slid into the backseat of the taxi with her and Mike. "You're making the rest of us look like we didn't even try."
Along with the burgyndy dress, Mercedes was wearing black strappy heels. Gold accessories added a touch of elegance, and her hair was styled in soft waves, Half pulled up with a few loose strands framing her face.
Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "Girl, please. You're rocking that dress. You both look amazing."
Mike adjusted his collar with a playful grin. "Thanks, but I know my role tonight is just arm candy."
The three of them laughed as the taxi made its way through the city, the lights reflecting off the glass buildings. The night was just beginning, and she could feel it in the air—something was waiting for her, something she couldn't quite name.