a's

brief moment, straining to hear any noises of movement. The faint light from the living room television was th

ve a pleasa

e arm draped over the back and a hot cup of tea held in his hand. He appeare

ntering the living roo

d, tapping the cushion beside him. "Come on, take

tairs. "It's getting late. Aren

ying yourself," he responded, grinning. "Go on, make

t, placing my shoes on the ground. "Okay," I replie

d, his smile growing wider

suppress the faint smile that pla

lifting an eyebrow. "

. Adrian is...distinct. In a positive manner. He's considerat

relaxing. "Seems li

is moment. "I never expected to feel so at ease

mug on the table and turned to look at me more directly. "I'm

ked at him for a moment, attempting to deter

You have the freedom to date and to experience love. Just because I'm

side to side. "Um, I appreciate

tone light. "Just p

ha

you'll tell me," he said, his expression turning serious. "I ma

imed, laughing

rugging. "It's my j

silence, the faint murmur o

a sly smile creeping onto hi

my cheeks warmed. "I d

said, pointing at me. "I need time to

plied, rising to my fe

d after me, his laughter trailing

in my mind. Dinner with Adrian was enchanting, the effortless laughter, the manner

iod, I finally experi

ted to envelop me, a subtle n

um of Dad's phone, then hi

I simply require more time," he

d the door. The corridor was dim, yet the glow from the living room extended gently

his voice shaking at that moment. "

sank. Was he r

call was low and chilling, but

moment, his voice trembling. "She's si

my heart racing so intensely I

lowly this time. Whatever they mentione

ys?" he inquired, his voi

her

ly, the words heavy with def

ne wen

heard the sofa groan as Dad stood up, along w

hat the subject of that phone call was, it was not a good o

ght with worry. With whom had Dad been talking? W

d in my mind: whatever was happening, it wa

t any sleep

ace while my body yearned for ease. My mind replayed every word, every sign of

tight, wishing for a bit more tranquility. However, it turned out to be us

. Maybe it had all merely been a dream, I thought nervously. An

down, I knew t

om bed. My arms and legs moved gradually as I headed to the bathroom. The mirror

e away the haze from the night before. I whispered

rrounded me. I brushed my teeth, pulled my hair into a loose ponytail, and put on some cozy clothes

permeated the space, mixing with the soft noise of the televisio

spered, my tone weigh

d, although he avoided ma

ke or tease me about oversleeping, but today, he seemed...unusual. His s

fee?" he asked, finally

plied while entering t

," he murmured,

ently, noticing how he shifted his eyes away from mine, the slight furrow

he discomfort from la

ot just

breath from my chest. The call, his frantic tone, the way he ple