Trevor pov
The morning came too fast.
Trevor opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling again. The crack was still there. Some days, he felt like that crack understood him better than people did.
He sat up and reached for his phone.
No new messages.
He told himself not to feel disappointed. Emma was busy. People like her always were. Still, the silence felt louder than he expected.
Trevor stood up and made himself a cup of cheap coffee. He drank it slowly, standing by the small window. Outside, the city moved like it always did, not caring who was struggling and who was winning.
He opened his notebook and looked at his ideas again. The logistics platform. The fair pay system. The clean process.
It still looked impossible.
But impossible did not scare him anymore. Staying the same scared him more.
He decided to take a walk.
Trevor walked through different parts of the city that day. He passed construction sites, offices, and small shops. He listened more than he spoke. He noticed how workers complained quietly. How bosses shouted loudly.
At a small shared workspace, he stopped and asked about membership prices.
The woman at the desk smiled politely. "It's not cheap."
Trevor nodded. "I expected that."
As he turned to leave, a man's voice stopped him.
"You looking for a place to work?"
Trevor turned. The man was older, dressed simply but neatly.
"Yes," Trevor replied. "I'm trying to build something."
The man studied him. "Most people say that. Few mean it."
Trevor met his eyes. "I mean it."
The man smiled slightly. "My name is Victor Langford."
"Trevor."
Victor nodded. "Sit. Tell me what you're building."
Trevor hesitated, then sat down.
For the next hour, he talked. About his ideas. About fairness. About workers being treated like numbers.
Victor listened quietly.
When Trevor finished, Victor leaned back. "You're broke."
Trevor laughed softly. "Very."
"But you're serious," Victor continued. "That matters."
Trevor swallowed. "I don't want pity. I want a chance."
Victor nodded slowly. "Come back tomorrow. Bring your notes."
Trevor stood up, his heart beating fast. "Thank you."
Victor smiled. "Don't thank me yet."
That evening, Trevor's phone buzzed.
Emma: Are you okay?
Trevor stared at the message. He didn't know how she knew to ask that.
Trevor: I am now.
Emma: Rough day?
Trevor: Every day is rough. Today was hopeful.
There was a pause.
Emma: I'm glad. You deserve that.
Trevor smiled without realizing it.
Across the city, Emma sat in her living room with Lisa.
Lisa watched her type and shook her head. "You're smiling at your phone."
Emma put it down quickly. "I'm not."
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "You are."
Emma sighed. "I met him again."
Lisa leaned forward. "How do you feel?"
Emma thought carefully. "Calm. And afraid."
Lisa nodded. "That's honest."
Before Emma could reply, the doorbell rang.
Lisa stood up. "I'll get it."
Andrew stood at the door.
"I need to talk," Andrew said.
Lisa looked back at Emma, concerned.
Emma stood up. "It's fine."
Andrew walked in and looked around. "You've been busy."
Emma crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "I want the truth."
Emma took a deep breath. "Then ask the right question."
Andrew stepped closer. "Who is he?"
Emma stayed silent.
Andrew smiled, but it was not kind. "I'll find out."
That night, Trevor sat on his bed, holding his notebook.
For the first time in years, the future felt close enough to touch.
And for the first time, it had a name.
Emma.