When the Tables Turn

Jalissa stood in the middle of her new apartment, a bright two-bedroom, two-bathroom space with gleaming hardwood floors, a spacious kitchen, and large windows that let in an abundance of light. Her heart swelled with pride as she looked around, picturing the life she was building for herself. This place wasn't just a roof over her head—it was a symbol of how far she'd come.

She glanced at her watch, knowing Gina was due to arrive any minute. Her hands fidgeted nervously as she rehearsed the words she'd been preparing for days.

The sound of a knock snapped her out of her thoughts. Jalissa crossed the room and opened the door to reveal Gina, holding a box of donuts and a curious expression.

"You sounded so mysterious on the phone," Gina said, stepping inside. "What's going on? And what is this place?"

Jalissa smiled, closing the door behind her. "This, my friend, is my new apartment."

Gina froze, her eyes widening as she took in the space. "Wait... what? You got an apartment? Jalissa, this is gorgeous!"

Jalissa's grin widened. "I know, right? But that's not all." She gestured toward the second bedroom. "It's a two-bedroom. I was hoping you'd move in with me."

Gina turned to her, her mouth slightly open in shock. "Me? Are you serious?"

"Completely serious," Jalissa said. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Gina, I don't even know where to start. You've been my rock through everything. When I had nowhere to go, you gave me a place to stay. When I felt like giving up, you kept pushing me forward. I don't think I would've made it without you."

Gina's eyes glistened with emotion as she listened.

"This place is as much for you as it is for me," Jalissa said. "I want us to create a space where we can both thrive. So... will you be my roommate?"

Gina set the donut box down on the counter and pulled Jalissa into a tight hug. "You don't even have to ask. Of course, I will!"

The two laughed, tears in their eyes, as they embraced.

After spending the day moving Gina's belongings from her old apartment, they sat on the floor surrounded by boxes, sharing takeout. The smell of Chinese food filled the air as they clinked soda cans in a celebratory toast.

"To new beginnings," Gina said with a grin.

"To new beginnings," Jalissa echoed.

"So," Gina said, digging into her lo mein, "what's the tea with Ethan and Kate after that meeting? You were a little vague earlier."

Jalissa sighed, setting her chopsticks down. "It was intense. Victor had me ask questions about their product, and I think I hit a nerve. Ethan pulled me aside afterward, asking why I was trying to embarrass him."

"Embarrass him? Please," Gina scoffed. "You were probably the only one helping him."

"That's what I told him," Jalissa said. "I even reminded him of all the time and effort I put into supporting him back then. Honestly, I just want him to succeed, even if we didn't work out. But it was awkward. Kate pulled him away before we could talk much more."

"She would," Gina said with a roll of her eyes.

Jalissa laughed softly. "I'm not worried about her. I just... I don't know. That chapter of my life feels like it should be closed, but Ethan keeps finding ways to reopen it."

"Girl, you're doing amazing. Don't let him mess with your head," Gina said firmly.

Jalissa nodded, grateful for her friend's unwavering support.

The next morning, Jalissa's phone buzzed as she was enjoying a quiet Saturday. She picked it up to see a text from an unknown number.

Ethan: Hey, Jalissa. It's Ethan. Can we meet up? I have something I need to ask you.

Her first instinct was to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of her. After a brief pause, she replied:

Jalissa: What's this about?

Ethan: It's about the product. I need your help.

An hour later, they met at a small café near Jalissa's apartment. Ethan looked anxious, his hands gripping his coffee cup as she sat down across from him.

"I appreciate you coming," he said.

"Just get to the point, Ethan," Jalissa said, keeping her tone neutral.

He nodded. "I've been thinking a lot about the feedback you gave during the meeting. You were right about everything—about the beta testing, the cost analysis, all of it. And I realized I need someone like you to help me fix this."

Jalissa raised an eyebrow. "Someone like me?"

"You," he said earnestly. "Kate doesn't need to know. I just need someone I can trust, someone who understands the work but isn't afraid to challenge me. I'll compensate you for your time, of course."

Jalissa hesitated. "Why should I help you, Ethan? After everything?"

He looked down, his voice soft. "Because you believe in me. You told me that yourself. And I don't know how to fix this without you."

Her mind raced. Part of her wanted to say no, to remind him that he had chosen to walk away from her life. But another part, the part that remembered the man she had once loved, felt a pull to help him.

"Fine," she said finally. "But this is strictly professional. And if you waste my time, it's over."

"Understood," he said, relief washing over his face.

Over the next few weeks, Ethan and Jalissa met at her apartment to work on the product. She was meticulous, dissecting every aspect of Streamline Pro and offering detailed solutions. Ethan listened intently, taking notes and asking thoughtful questions.

One evening, Gina was out of town for a family reunion, leaving the apartment quiet as they worked late. After a major breakthrough on a potential feature improvement, Ethan leaned back in his chair with a triumphant grin.

"We did it," he said, pulling two beers from the fridge. He handed one to Jalissa.

She hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "I guess we deserve this."

As they sat on the couch, the tension that had lingered between them for weeks seemed to dissipate. They laughed about old memories, their conversation flowing easily like it had in the past.

"I forgot how good we were together," Ethan said suddenly, his voice soft.

Jalissa glanced at him, her smile fading slightly. "Ethan..."

Before she could say more, he leaned closer, his gaze locked on hers.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, her heart pounding.

He hesitated for a moment but didn't pull away. Instead, he closed the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers.

Jalissa froze, her mind racing. For a brief moment, she didn't stop him.