“Wait! Are you sure about this?” Kendra's voice rose slightly above the bustling noise of the café, her hands gripping the edge of the table as she leaned toward Zayn. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but Kendra was too engrossed in Zayn's hesitant expression to fully appreciate it.

Zayn looked down at his cup, the swirling latte art mirroring his inner turmoil. “I... I just think it’s time I stop hiding behind my work,” he murmured, his brow furrowing. “But what if I mess it all up?”

Kendra's heart ached for him. She knew the pressure he was under, both from his demanding job and his own expectations. “You won't know until you try, Zayn. Besides, you’re not alone in this. Raisa... she likes you, you know?”

“Yeah, but…” Zayn sighed, running a hand through his hair. “What if it’s too fast? What if we’re just—”

“Two lost souls trying to find their way? Ah, don’t you see? That’s exactly it!” Kendra interjected, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “You both need this. Just... trust the process.”

“Maybe,” he replied, though doubt still flickered in his eyes. Suddenly, the bell above the café door jingled, and Kendra turned just in time to see Raisa enter. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Hey, there she is!” Kendra beamed, waving. Raisa looked up, her usual confident smile faltering slightly as she spotted them. Zayn’s tension was palpable, and Kendra could sense the shift in the air.

“Hey, guys!” Raisa greeted them, sliding into the seat across from Kendra. “What’s up?”

“Just talking about how the universe has a way of bringing people together,” Kendra replied, shooting Zayn a knowing look. He merely sipped his coffee, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

Raisa’s eyes lit up, her interest piqued. “Oh? Do tell!” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, as if eager to absorb every detail.

Kendra exchanged a glance with Zayn, who seemed momentarily frozen in thought. “Uh, well, I was just saying how sometimes we find love when we least expect it,” Kendra started, weaving the narrative. “Like... how you and Zayn have this connection. It’s almost like it was meant to be.”

“Right?” Raisa's gaze shifted to Zayn, a teasing smile on her lips. “What do you think, Zayn? Are we destined to be star-crossed lovers?”

Zayn choked on his coffee, the steam from his cup momentarily fogging his glasses. “Uh, well...”

Kendra grinned, enjoying the moment. “Maybe not star-crossed, but you definitely have a connection. It’s not just in your head, is it?”

“Ah, you guys...” Raisa laughed, but there was a hint of shyness in her tone. “I mean, we have been spending more time together. I didn’t think it was anything serious, though.”

Zayn cleared his throat, the moment feeling heavier than anticipated. “It can be serious. I just... I don’t want to ruin it,” he said, his voice steady yet vulnerable. “I’ve never been good at relationships.”

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Raisa's expression softened, her playful demeanor giving way to understanding. “We’re all a little broken, Zayn. It’s okay to be scared. But if we don’t take the leap, we might miss out on something incredible.”

“True,” Kendra added, her gaze unwavering. “The worst thing we can do is let fear dictate our choices. So... how about we all agree to just... see where this goes?”

“Wait!” Zayn interjected, his voice a mix of anxiety and excitement. “You’re suggesting we just dive in? No safety nets?”

“Exactly!” Kendra grinned, her enthusiasm infectious. “Let’s embrace the chaos of love, even if it comes too fast.”

Raisa’s eyes sparkled, and for a moment, Zayn could see a glimmer of hope in her expression. “Okay, then. Let’s do this,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “We’ll figure it out together.”

Zayn’s heart raced at the thought, an exhilarating blend of fear and excitement coursing through him. “So... what’s the first step?”

“Let’s just enjoy each other’s company,” Kendra suggested, her gaze flitting between them. “How about a weekend trip? Just the three of us, to see where this leads?”

“Ah! I love that idea!” Raisa exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. “We could go to the coast. Fresh air, beautiful sunsets...”

Zayn nodded slowly, the idea taking root in his mind. “Yeah, that could work. It would be nice to get away from the city for a bit.”

“Perfect!” Kendra clapped her hands together, her joy infectious. “Let’s make it happen.”

As they discussed the logistics, Zayn felt a warmth spread through him. He was no longer merely an architect building structures; he was now part of something that felt... alive.

The conversation flowed easily, laughter punctuating their words as they shared stories and plans. But as they chatted, a small part of Zayn's heart still grappled with the reality of their situation.

“Just remember,” Kendra said as their conversation began to wind down, “love can be messy. But that’s what makes it beautiful. Don’t let the timing scare you.”

“Right,” Zayn said, though he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this was all happening too fast. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

As they left the café, the evening sky painted in hues of orange and pink, Zayn felt both exhilarated and terrified. Maybe love didn’t wait for the right moment. Maybe it was about seizing the opportunity when it came crashing down like a wave, even if he felt unprepared to swim.

“Ready?” Raisa asked, her gaze hopeful as she looked at him.

Zayn took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze on his face. “Yeah, let’s do this.”

But just as they turned to leave, Zayn’s phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the moment. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. The notification read: Important meeting tomorrow—CEO will be present. Be prepared to present your designs.

“Thud!” The weight of his responsibilities crashed down on him, shattering the bubble of hope that had begun to form.

“Everything okay?” Kendra asked, concern etched on her face.

“Yeah, just... work stuff,” Zayn replied, trying to mask the turmoil churning inside. But he knew, deep down, that this weekend was going to change everything.

As they stepped into the night, Zayn felt the excitement of possibility mixed with the anxiety of the unknown. Would love really come too fast, or could it be just what he needed to break free from the confines of expectation?

As they walked under the same sky, the moon casting a silver glow, Zayn wondered if he was ready for this leap. He glanced at Raisa and Kendra, their laughter ringing in his ears, and felt the familiar weight of doubt creep back in. What if love wasn’t enough to bridge the gap between their worlds? And just as those thoughts spiraled in his mind, he caught a glimpse of a figure in the shadows—a familiar silhouette that sent a chill down his spine. “Oh no,” he whispered, his heart racing as he recognized the figure.