" Okay Winnie, move a little to the right and hinge your foot some more for me love. " I focused my camera and snapped the shot before looking in the preview to see the results. Just as always the picture came out perfect.

Winnie squealed and did her usual happy dance before prancing over to me like the happy spirit that she is. We embraced each other in a hug before we proceeded to look through the proofs of the photos and picking out our best ones. Winnie look astounding as per usual but I definitely think I outdid myself with this shoot.

" Z, you make me look magical. " Winnie praised as she lent over and pecked my cheek lovingly. Winnie always did this when we had the chance to work together so by now I was use to the tall goddess laying a peck or two on my cheeks.

" You do that easily yourself babe. "

After picking out all the photos I wanted for the spread I started to close down shop with the help of my assistant. This is all I have been doing lately work , work, and more work. That's all I could to cope with what happened before I left Atlanta two months ago. That goddamn night still teased me every time I shut my eyes at night to sleep and all I saw was his insanely beautiful face full of regretful tears. I would've stayed that night, if he would've begged me once more but I'm glad I didn't, I needed to be here right now chasing down my dreams like I did his for so long. This was my time to shine and I wasn't going to let anyone, not even the boy that holds my heart, stop me from doing so.

Zipping up the Louis Vuitton backpack after making sure my camera, iPad, and MacBook were safely secure inside I headed towards the main exit the lights shutting off on their own accord as I did so. The cold night air nipped at my nose as the Italian fall was just starting up. Milan was a beautiful place and I felt more than at home being here. Upon arrival here I met the head huncho photographer for Vogue Italy and was immediately excited to see what these next few months were going to be like for me and in two months it didn't disappoint. I had done 4 front covers for Vogue Italy including the one I had just finished with Winnie merely an hour ago and to say I was more than proud was the understatement of the century. I was more than flourishing here in Italy but I still couldn't think of the pain I had to go through to get here.

I remember that night so vividly it was almost picture perfect, like some blockbuster movie that didn't go out of style. Although I hated everything that went down on that night I'm still glad it happened or else I would've still been in Atlanta taking the backseat behind him.

Him.

Even the slightest thought about him brought chills down my spine and made my blood pump a little faster. I don't even know why I thought I could simply forget him because that was damn near impossible. I still felt him in everything that I did, down to fucking sniffing the flowers that reminded me of the flowers he would get me. I still had his Supreme hoody and everything else that even gave me the smallest of memories about the man that still has my heart.

It's been two months and even though I've been focused on myself I still been keeping up with him. Making sure he was okay and well and thriving like I knew he would. Chase had been keeping me up to date with my whereabouts with Jacques and just like I expected my handsome boy was thriving, well more than thriving. In the matter of two months Jacques had managed to get himself into the good graces of Kanye West himself practically forcing himself to become a vital part of the GOOD Music label. He was taking off and it was well deserved and well for me I was well on my way.

Unlocking the door to the small villa I was staying in I dropped my camera bag at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the rest of the home I was residing in. To say the least I wasn't out here in this foreign country looking stupid. My mentor made sure I was well taken cared of and settled. With the 8k I was receiving a month and the all expense paid home I was dwelling in I wasn't needing or begging for nothing. This bitch did feel lonely though, that it did.

Finally making up the second flight of stairs in the Italian renaissance style home I flicked the lights on that lit the main living room and walk ways. The kitchen was my destination, my stomach deserved the biggest glass of well aged red wine I had on standby and one of the many pasta dishes I learned to cook in the first month of me being here. Tying my apron around my waist and kicking off the Yeezy boots that adorned my feet I made it my business to first pour myself that glass of wine before I decided to pull out the ingredients I needed to make the garlic and basil shrimp ravioli.

In mere minutes I can tell I was completely zoned out, the half glass of red wine and the sound of my heartbeat thumping in my ears told me so. I was just finishing up when I heard the home phone ring and the usual red light come on making me aware of the voicemail being recorded. No one but Chase had this number and he usually called twice to let me know it was him so to say I was the slightest bit of apprehensive was an understatement.

Turning off the stove and moving the pan of food over to another eye to cool I wiped my hands on the insanely soft kitchen rag that laid beside me before making my way towards the house phone glass of wine in hand.

Who in the entire fuck else had this number ?

Another sip of wine and the courage to press on rushed thru me like freight train. Reaching forward pressing the message button with the knuckle of my index I heard the beep letting me know that the recording would start soon. What I didn't expect was the voice that would come through the intercom. My very being froze in place and if it wasn't for the ultra tight grip on the glass I'm sure I would have cut foot right now.

I haven't heard his voice in so long, well I have but never like this. It sounded a bit deeper a bit stronger if I might say like he had a grip on reality and he wasn't letting go. That voice of control and determination is what I fell in love with in the beginning, the man had of way of speaking and assurance would rain over you like a thunderstorm in May. Before I knew it I had pressed replay for the second time. It just felt so good to hear him like this. He was happy and strong and sound. This was how I remembered him.

Him being Jacques. Baby Jacques. Webster. Whatever the fuck you wanted to call him is the man that somehow magically found my number and is leaving me this crazy ass voicemail which is leaving me in tears as I down the rest of this wine like nobodies business.

Fuck.

I missed him so much that I was swooning over a measly voicemail in the middle of my kitchen in probably one of the most beautiful places on earth. Honestly fuck him for still being able to have control over me like this it's not fair.

I pressed save this time before I replayed it.

" Hey Zephyr, I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from right now .... "

Lol, you're fucking wrong.

" And I know you never meant to let me find this number but Chase is such a fucking dumbass he had it labeled in his phone as such. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that I'm a fucking mess without you and I'm so goddamn sorry for how shit went down when you left.... "

Well you should be you overgrown cactus. I rolled my eyes and continued to listen.

" But at the same time I'm happy you left. You were right when you said what you said you've been helping me chase my dreams and that's wrong. Actually that's so fucked up because you're so goddamn talented it's crazy Z. I know you're out there killing it right now hell you're all over Instagram out here friends with Kendall and Bella and shit big ballin like I taught you ... "

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. He was still his goofy ass self.

" Zephyr I'm so fucking proud of you and when you come back home to me I have a surprise for you. Just remember that I love you and no matter whatever the fuck we have going on we're going to be solid.... "

The machine beeped letting me know that the voicemail was coming to a end.

" When you come back just promise you'll come back better than how I ever was because in all honesty I haven't been okay without you and I've gotten into some shit along the way but for some fucking reason you've been my guardian angel and I'm so goddamn happy I have you.... "

This was the only part of the voicemail that alarmed me. What the fuck did he mean by all of that ?

____________________________________

So Zephyrs interlude is pretty short and it was done on purpose to dive into the shit I got brewing for Jacques so don't kill me. Anyway leave your comments and ideas and show some love.