KE

pleasant, but something in my chest just didn't feel right

tter? Unlikely, but I still hoped and prayed. Was there any chance he would recover from this long

worrying. I sat on the unfamiliar wine-red c

ertainly well-off. Miles was probably having a drink with his cousin downstairs, and I'd re

. So, Miles' entire family actua

days kind of discomfited me, but I couldn't travel to the airport alone. This estate was too remote. Right in the mi

to slay?" Jill's tone sounde

my growing anxiety and annoying

ing for Dad's pulmonologist." Jill sig

...went on a trip

" Jill muttered, sou

reply just stuck a knife-like pang of guilt

him about

er putting it on speaker mode. Jill's question again r

ch. I'd worked very hard on that application, spent money for transport, document retrievals and

d trip, leave work and everything behind,

over the phone. Her clear and calming voice

Sunday," I explained. "We

he

y estate in the m

, creaky house.

this guest room was closest to the staircase. I stared at the door. A lamp kept

ill sighed. "That you n

did

et some sleep," Jill sa

loud knocks. Barefoot in the dimness, I g

right enough to highlight the dripping sweat on his shiny forehead and neck. His panting eased as his expressi

agged breaths fanning my cheeks and g

a min

cked away t

bangs. Earphones hung over his shoulders, and

ound the dark room for a moment. Then

sion this grand just told me Ricchar was a ful

y roomie. The high-fenced balcony s

y question and just took his shirt off. His toned physique glistened with s

es wouldn't look me in the eye. He stared at the lu

railing while his forearms lay flat on it. The bedroom remained pitch-dark, b

out okay? Miles cleared his throat and paid me a glan

ome work stuff. Sche

yet?" he asked afte

nd I loved the countryside smell and the dewy gra

e phone with Ji

ing to ask me the moment I'd excused myself from the d

face me. Miles crossed his arms below his bare chest, loo

most recent anxiety attack. "Just for a week or so." It wasn't a lie, but s

ll me what the

received a letter

letter that spoiled my entire work week. Of course he'd left it on the nightstand himself. Stupid me

ed and turned to the starless sky again.

as g

t wanna t

wn ears. I didn't bother telling him more about what the letter said, or my utter disappointmen

all Mile

y." I took a step closer to my cheerless friend. Nice that I

les faked a grin. He was

and rather neutral, I couldn't help frow

his weight to his left foot to regard my reaction. "I

d to him being this frank and eristic, I knew he meant well. But did he have t

problem or

back at him with a frown. "No

uded as he gripped the balustrade. Then he faintly

home. My mom

aquiline nose. His palm almost covered his fa

nd confusion were just building up in my chest. "Yo

dn't

that. No luck. At all." I tried to step closer to him again. "

etter?" Miles asked quietly. "Didn't ev

n busy we barely talked all

leaned against the railing, clear

nother frown. "Anything e

staring

his attitude was giving me took a while, but I kept trying. I didn't even wa

eep it all off, Miles caught my arm. His hand tug

figure as we remained standing in the spac

stares in the dimness, and I couldn't do much but lift my arms to touch his face. "You're

y?" Still shirtless and broodin

tered in disb

left me standing by the bed and rushed towards the do

him and even followed h

ut the door behind him withou