THE boutique was bustling with customers, the afternoon sun casting warm rays through the shop windows.
Jasira was at the counter, helping a customer, when her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, she saw an unknown number, then she turned to one of the sales representatives to continue from where she stopped.
Curiosity piqued, she answered, stepping away from the noise.
“Hello, this is Jasira.”
There was a brief pause, followed by a voice she hadn’t heard in years. “Jasira? It is me, Lucario.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
“Lucario? Is it really you?” Her voice trembled with a mixture of surprise and excitement.
“Yes, it is me,” he confirmed, his voice older but still carrying the authority and warmth she remembered.
“I finally managed to track you down. How are you, my dear daughter?”
Tears immediately welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find words.
“I… I’m good. I have missed you so much daddy. Where are you?” She rushed her words.
“I’m in a small town a few hours away. I needed to see you, Jasira. It has been too long.”
“You know what dad? Just stay put, text me your location and I would quickly arrange for a local flight for you, I can’t wait to see you,” she squeaked.
Lord Lucario laughed.
“It is fine daughter. I can’t wait to see you too,” and they hung up.
Without hesitation, she made arrangements for his flight, her heart racing with anticipation. After finalizing the details, she returned to her work, her mind already far away, filled with memories and emotions she thought she had buried long ago.
The very next day, she drove to the airport, her stomach a bundle of nerves. When she finally saw him, standing with a slight stoop and looking a bit older, her breath caught in her throat.
His hair had more grey, and there were more lines on his face, but his eyes still held the same warmth and strength she remembered.
“Jasira,” he said softly, his eyes misting as he opened his arms.
She ran to him, hugging him tightly. “Lucario, I can’t believe you are here.”
He laughed lightly and kept mute.
“How is everyone? How is Mico? Kylo? How is Nikky my baby? Everybody, how is the family?” She rushed her questions making Lucario laugh more.
They stood like that for a moment, holding onto each other, before she stepped back, wiping her tears.
“You look well, considering.”
He chuckled.
“Age catches up with everyone, my dear. But seeing you has taken years off me already.”
“I’m happy to see you father, come, let’s go home,” she said as she led him to her car, rolling his box along.
They drove back to her house, the conversation flowing easily despite the years apart. Lucario marveled at the vibrant city and the life Jasira had built for herself.
Once at her place, they settled in the cozy living room. Jasira made them tea, and they talked for hours, catching up on everything.
Lucario told her about the changes in the mafia world, his gradual stepping back from active leadership, and his decision to find her.
“I always knew you would do great things, Jasira,” he said, pride evident in his voice. “But seeing it in person is something else. You have built a beautiful life here.”
Jasira smiled, her heart full.
“It hasn’t been easy, but I have made it work. And now, having you here makes it all the more special.”
As the evening turned to night, Jasira showed Lucario around her boutique. He admired the displays, his eyes twinkling with pride.
“This place is wonderful. You have truly found your calling.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
“Having you here to see it means the world to me.”
They spent the next few days together, reminiscing about the past and making new memories.
Lucario shared stories of his adventures, and Jasira found herself laughing and crying in equal measure. It was as if a missing piece of her heart had been restored.
One evening, as they sat on her balcony watching the sunset, Lucario turned to her.
“You know, Jasira, I have always seen you as my daughter. I’m so proud of the woman you have become.”
Tears filled her eyes once more. “And I have always seen you as my father I never knew. Thank you for everything, Lucario. For letting me go when I asked, for finding me, for believing in me.”
He smiled, his eyes reflecting the fading light.
“Always, my dear. Always.”
With Lucario by her side, Jasira felt a renewed sense of strength and purpose. The pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future seemed more manageable, knowing she had someone who truly understood and supported her.
Their reunion was a testament to the enduring power of love and family, and it filled Jasira with hope and joy for the days to come.
***
Jeremy sat on the edge of a rugged cliff, staring out at the vast expanse of the ocean. The salty breeze tugged at his hair, and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below was a constant reminder of the passage of time.
It had been years since he left his life behind, seeking solace and clarity in the isolation of this remote coastal village.
The time away had given him a chance to heal and reflect. He hadn’t really been busy with anything serious, just feeling the peaceful environs. But despite the peace he had found here, a part of him had always known this was temporary.
The small cabin he had rented was filled with mementos of his journey- sketches of the landscape, books he had read, and a journal he had filled with his thoughts and experiences. As he leafed through the pages, he came across an entry from his first few weeks in exile.
“I hope this time will help me find myself again,” he had written. “But I can’t help thinking of home, of those I left behind. One day, I will return, stronger and wiser.”
He closed the journal, a determined look in his eyes. The years had indeed brought him strength and wisdom, but they had also brought a profound longing to reconnect with his family, to face the unresolved issues, and to rebuild his life.
***
As Jasira stepped out of her office that fateful morning, she sighted a happy couple doing window shopping together with one of her employees, her mind quickly flashed to Jeremy.
It had been years since he had disappeared from her life, and she had tried to move on, focusing on her boutique and her new life. Yet, her feelings for him had never completely faded.
Well, she waved it off and walked up to a rack to arrange a new window display, when her phone buzzed on the counter.
She finished positioning a mannequin before walking over to check the notification. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the message was from an unknown number.
Opening the message, she read:
Hi, this is J. Heard you moved. I hope you are doing well?
She stared at the screen, her mind racing. She quickly composed herself, taking a deep breath. Clearly knowing whom it was, her heart raced even more.
She wanted to respond, but she also needed to understand her own feelings. The longing she had suppressed for so long came rushing back, mingled with the apprehension of what this sudden reach out from Jeremy might bring.
>>>>>>Author’s Note