Chapter 11

Joslyn stepped into the lobby of her apartment building, her mind still swarming with thoughts from her earlier visit to the hospital. She let out a sigh, offering a weak smile to the receptionist, Eunice, who returned it with an equally tired smile of her own.

"Hey," Eunice greeted her, presenting a brightly wrapped box of chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine.

"Good evening, Eunice. What's this?" Joslyn questioned, peering curiously at the box.

"The new building owner asked to share these gifts with each resident to celebrate his acquisition of the building and foster a cordial relationship between residents and the landlord," Eunice explained, her voice tinged with rehearsed politeness.

Joslyn accepted the gifts with a polite thank you, but couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. She glanced around the lobby, noticing that the other residents didn't seem to be receiving similar packages. With her brows furrowed, she decided to inquire further.

"Have all the residents been given these gifts, or is it just me?" She asked, her tone careful.

The receptionist paused for a moment, seemingly caught off guard by the question, before responding, "Well, no, not everyone."

Joslyn's suspicions deepened, and she made a split-second decision. "Well, in that case, you can keep it. I appreciate the gesture, but I don't feel comfortable accepting special treatments, especially from someone I'm not familiar with," she said, handing the package back to Eunice.

Eunice hesitated, her eyes shifting between the gift and Joslyn's face. "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure, Eunice. Thank you, though," Joslyn replied with a smile as she bid a quick farewell to her.

After exchanging brief pleasantries with some of the residents downstairs, Joslyn ascended to her apartment. As the elevator carried her upward, her mind buzzed with thoughts regarding the gift Gabriel had sent. What exactly were his intentions? She swiftly pushed aside the thought, redirecting her focus to the tasks awaiting her.

Upon entering her apartment, she wasted no time in taking off her shoes and making a beeline for the shower. After her shower, she wrapped herself in a fluffy towel and padded into her room, the steam from the hot water trailing behind her. As she rummaged through her dresser for something comfortable to wear, her mind drifted to the events of the day.

The visit to the hospital had been emotionally draining, as it always was. Seeing her brother lying unconscious, unmoving in that sterile room was something she'd never get used to. She sighed, pushing the thoughts aside as she continued digging through her dresser.

Choosing a cozy, soft oversized t-shirt and a pair of fluffy lounge shorts, Joslyn quickly changed into it and made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and grabbed some leftover microwaved french toast, feeling the hunger pangs gnawing at her stomach.

Joslyn took her snack and plopped down on the couch, aimlessly munching on her meal as she flipped through the TV channels. Her thoughts were soothed by the familiar voices and laughter from the comedy playing in the background.

After finishing her snack, Joslyn glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was still a bit early in the evening. Perhaps she could catch up on some reading, or binge-watch a show, or maybe occupy herself with thoughts of Gabriel.

Yeah, that shouldn't even be an option, she thought.

Joslyn felt her eyes growing heavy as she leaned back on the couch, the soft comforter engulfing her weary body. The lassitude from the day's events began to weigh down on her, and before she knew it, she was drifting off to a much-needed sleep.

❀ ❀ ❀

Joslyn stirred from her nap, blinking sleepily as she slowly became conscious of her surroundings. The soft glow of the lamp in the corner of the room illuminated her cozy apartment, casting a warm light over the space. Stretching her arms above her head, Joslyn yawned, feeling the stiffness in her muscles begin to dissipate.

As she sat up on the couch, she glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that she had been asleep for longer than she had intended. It was dark outside already, and the twinkling lights of the city was visible through the window. With a sigh, Joslyn rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep.

Deciding to make the most of the rest of her evening, Joslyn got up from the couch and wandered into the kitchen. She filled the kettle with a precise amount of water, and set it on the stove.

While the water heated up, Joslyn busied herself with tidying up the kitchen, washing the dishes from earlier and wiping down the countertops.

As the water reached its boiling point, Joslyn took a tea bag and carefully placed it into her favorite mug, the string dangling over the side.

Once her tea was ready, she poured herself a steaming cup and carried it over to the living room, curling up on the couch with her soft blanket draped over her legs when a FaceTime call from Sigourney suddenly lit up the screen of her phone. With a smile, she accepted the call before propping her phone up on the coffee table.

"Hey, Josy!” Sigourney's cheerful voice echoed through the room, promoting a less loud “Hey, Sig” response from Joslyn.

“How’s it going, love?” The more enthusiastic woman asked.

Joslyn shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, you know, same old. Just sitting around and sipping a cup of my favorite herbal tea." She raised her cup, taking a sip of said tea.

Sigourney rolled her eyes playfully. "Why do I even bother to ask every single time? Sitting around? Seriously, Jos, you need to live a little. Get out there, have some fun!"

Joslyn laughed softly, shaking her head. "You know me, Sig. I'd prefer getting lost in a book than going out. Besides, the only person I want to have fun with is you, and you're miles away on the other side of the world."

Before Sigourney could comment on Joslyn's fondness for staying in, Joslyn redirected the conversation back to her friend. "But enough about me. How about you? What's new with you?"

"Oh, you won't believe what's been going on!"

Joslyn perked up, eager to hear about Sigourney's glamorous adventures. As her friend launched into a detailed rant about the latest trends and designs she had encountered, Joslyn listened intently, with a soft smile, genuinely interested in her friend's passion.

Suddenly, Sigourney's tone shifted, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Oh, Jos, you won't believe who I met just yesterday!"

Joslyn's expression shifted to that of curiosity, "Who?"

"James Montgomery, and he complimented my work. He wants to feature me in his gallery!" Sigourney squealed in excitement.

Joslyn's eyes widened in disbelief. "Shut up! No way! That's incredible, Sig! I'm so happy for you!"

Sigourney beamed, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Thanks, Josy! I can't believe it myself. It's like a dream come true."

After a few minutes of discussing her art and Paris, Sigourney's expression softened, her gaze turning more serious. "But enough about me. How are you really doing, Josy? I can tell there's something on your mind."

Joslyn hesitated, unsure of what to share with her friend. Finally, she decided to open up, recounting her visit to the hospital, her lunch with her father, and her conflicting emotions about her brother's condition.

"So he's willing to work on the strain in your relationship, that's a step forward, Joslyn."

Joslyn managed a faint smile for Sig. "I suppose."

"And Josh? How is he? Did the doctor mention anything else?" Sigourney asked, her concern evident.

Joslyn sighed heavily. "Nothing's changed, Sig. It's becoming increasingly depressing, and sometimes I feel foolish for holding onto the hope that he'll somehow wake up and be my Josh again,” she murmured, her voice quivering slightly.

As she spoke, Sigourney listened attentively, and when Joslyn finally finished, there was a moment of silence before Sigourney spoke again.

"You know, sweetheart, you don't have to carry all of this on your own. I'm here for you, always."

Joslyn smiled gratefully, her heart warmed by her best friend's words. "Thanks, Sig. I know I can always count on you."

As the conversation went on, Jos's thoughts turned once again to Gabriel. She debated whether or not to tell Sigourney about his return, but then decided to keep it to herself for now.

Lost in her thoughts, Joslyn barely noticed when Sigourney's voice faded into the background. It wasn't until Sigourney's voice snapped her back to reality that Joslyn realized she had been silent for too long.

"Josy? Are you sure you're okay?" Sigourney's concerned voice pulled Joslyn out of the abyss she was sinking into.

Joslyn forced a smile, hoping to mask the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. "Yeah, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment."

"I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, darling. I wish I could be there with you but just know that whatever you need, whether it's to talk, cry, or yell, I'm just a call away," Sigourney reassured her, prompting Joslyn to offer a weak smile in return. Yet, a pang of guilt gnawed at her chest as her thoughts returned to Gabriel. How could she explain to Sigourney that her ex-boyfriend was back, but not for her? Joslyn made a decision then and there not to reveal this information. Some secrets were meant to be kept, at least for the time being.