Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 172

Only those who'd lived through it would truly understand how long that five to six years felt.

-

Two days later, Violeta headed to Sunset Cafe.

Kaylee had been working part-time there and had become close with Fiona and her husband.

Arriving at the cafe around 1.00 PM, Violeta found Kaylee yawning behind the counter.

"Hi, what can I get you? You can check the menu up there ... "

"Kaylee."

Kaylee's eyes brightened when she saw Violeta.

"Vio, you're back!"

Violeta smiled. "Yeah, I brought you something."

She handed Kaylee a small gift box from her bag. Inside were some ethnic-style jewellery she had picked up on the prairie, with special meaning.

Kaylee happily stepped out from behind the counter.

"I thought you weren't coming back until the end of the month!

"How was your trip? Tell me everything!"

Hearing the chatter, Fiona emerged from behind the curtain with a smile. "Vio, you're back."

"Yeah, Ms. Fiona."

Spotting Fiona, Violeta pulled out another gift from her bag.

With it not being peak hours, and few customers around, Violeta and Kaylee went upstairs to chat.

Although Toland University was on break, affecting business, it wasn't significant.

After all, Sunset Cafe had great online reviews and loyal customers. They could also attract customers through good reviews, with some old customer bringing new ones in as well. All in all, business was quite good during the summer.

Kaylee listened eagerly as Violeta shared her adventures on the prairie.

"Wow! I wish I could be as free as you.

"And you have an eagle named Hera? Wow!! I'd love to see her."

Violeta grinned. "If there's a chance, I'll take you."

"Deal!

"You even ran into Hattie?! Oh, my."

After sharing the island incident, Kaylee suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, so the news about the island collapsing was about Hattie's mom's island? Haha, she used to brag in class about vacationing there, and now it's collapsed. That's funny!"

The two chatted for a while as they caught each other up on their lives lately.

As more customers arrived, Kaylee went downstairs to help, leaving Violeta alone on the second-floor window seat, enjoying her coffee and scrolling through her phone.

It was a golden opportunity. If Violeta didn't seize it, it would be a waste of the opportunity Zelena was practically offering her.

She replied with a simple, 'Okay.'

Zelena pressed, 'Get it to me as soon as possible.'

'Two weeks.'

Initially, Zelena thought two weeks was a bit long.

But then she realised that it would coincide with the start of Toland University's new semester, just in time for the college competition.

Thinking that this timing worked out well, Zelena agreed.

'Okay, then I'll wait for your good news.'

---

Violeta's understanding of Zelena was limited to after she returned to the Blake family.

She knew little about her past.

However, Zelena seemed to know everything about Violeta's past.

She must have put in a lot of effort to understand me.

Violeta recalled when Zelena was mistakenly taken from the hospital, her foster parents were market vendors selling grass seeds. They weren't wealthy, but they treated Zelena well.