LOGINThe morning came before I was ready for it.I woke up at five-thirty, just as I had every other morning.For several seconds, I stared at the ceiling without moving.Then everything from the night before returned.Azeirah's voice.Her confession.The way she had looked at me when she told me she liked me.I closed my eyes again."Not today."I forced myself out of bed.There was no reason to let one conversation ruin everything I had built.That was what I kept telling myself as I went through my morning routine.Shower, skincare. Coffee, breakfast. Schedule. Work.Keep moving. It had always worked before.Why shouldn't it work now?By the time I finished getting dressed, I had convinced myself that I was ready.My phone vibrated while I was picking up my bag.I looked at the screen.Azeirah.For a moment, I simply stared at her name.Then I opened the message.Azeirah:Good morning. Don't overthink last night. See you at workshop.I read it twice.There was no question. No apology. N
I froze as I heard that from her.We were close and I don't want to overthink anything but something about the way she said it is different.It was too soft. Too caring.And I wanted to refuse the feeling but I know...She meant something."Why?" I asked, trying to find a different answer. Almost hoping that she would tell a different reason.She smiled and took a deep breathe."You're important to me now. And I think—""Azeirah.." I called out her name to stop her from saying whatever she wanted to say.I could feel my heart beating faster as I look at her intently.She just smiled and nodded."I know you're not ready for anything right now... But I still want to do this for you."I was right.She was trying to confess. She was doing this for me because she wanted me."You know I don't have plans on being with someone." I said firmly.Coldly."I know..." She answered right away. "And I'm not trying to obligate you on anything. I just want you to let me do this for you.""No." I said
"Tell me, Ena... Do you still care about your ex?"I could here a hint of irritation in his voice."Of course not. I...I'm just curious. I've worked with her for years and this isn't..."I stopped before I could say another word. I shouldn't mind this.I should just focus on getting back the house. Whatever Martha's intentions was, it doesn't concern me."You choose this, Ena." He said, after minutes of silence. "You left and cut off everyone... Including me. Now that you wanted something back, you contacted me and yes... I will always help you. But please... Just please control yourself. You have no right to question anything here after you left," He said.I couldn't say a thing. Not because I didn't know what to say but because I know he was right."Sorry..." I said and ended the call.Eversince I left, I didn't contact them. There are times that I would reply to him but I would also just vanish and wouldn't reply again.I left everything there.And now that I wanted something... I
She nodded and smiled, "It was..."I sighed and looked away before saying something that sounded like an admission rather than a story."Aria and I might not end up together and she might not be meant for me but that house... It was meant for me."I looked at Azeirah who's eyes are already watching me softly.I smiled bitterly, "She bought it for me— for us. And I don't understand why she have to sell it when she was the one who did something wrong to me?"Hearing the frustration in my voice made it even hard to understand.Why am I like this? Why do I have to feel this way?"What really did she do to you?" She asked.After months of being close with each other, this is the only time she asked me this directly.And before I could stop myself from telling her, I already said it."She cheated on me..." I bit my lower lip and looked away again. Tears suddenly found its way at the side of my eyes.F*ck."I-I'm sorry." She said, shocked.I chuckled to hide the embarassment but I guess, she
The day ended without my attention. Good thing Azeirah got my back and would always do something before anyone in the team could notice. I'm not in usual myself. I hated to admit but my mind keeps coming back to the house. "Do you mind if I come over to your place tonight?" Azeirah's voice echoed as we walked towards our own cars. Some of the staff exchanged looks intrigued, some smiled while blushing. If this was like the other days, I'd make sure to clear every malicious thoughts they have... But it isn't... I wasn't okay. And I know myself too well. I'd waste my time wondering how I could get back the house, so I nodded even before I could check if people are watching. Azeirah's face lit up before turning to talk to her assitant. "You can go now. I'll just have my personal driver pick me up at Ena's place later." Her assitant nodded and left. Then Azeirah walked towards me excitedly. "Let's cook, what do you want for dinner?" For a moment I thought about Aria. After
The elevator doors slid open just as my phone vibrated again. I didn't move. For a moment, I simply stood there while people walked past me, stepping around me without complaint. Somewhere behind me, someone politely cleared their throat, waiting for me to leave the elevator. Only then did I step aside. The notification was from Xavier. No new message. Just the photograph I had asked him to send. My thumb hovered above it before I finally opened the image. It wasn't a picture of the house. It was a screenshot from the real estate listing. A clean white interface. Several professionally taken photographs. The front garden. The living room. The kitchen. The master bedroom. I knew every corner before the next image even appeared. I remembered where we had argued over the color of the dining chairs. I remembered insisting the living room needed larger windows because I wanted more sunlight. I remembered laughing when Aria said I was designing the house like I intended to
The hallway felt longer than it should have.Every step away from Aria’s door echoed louder in my chest than on the floor, like the house itself was counting my retreat. I didn’t look back. I knew if I did, I’d stay. Or worse—say something I couldn’t take back.The night air outside was cooler than
The quiet didn’t feel awkward. It felt earned.Aria’s breathing slowed against my shoulder, steady now, warm through the thin fabric of my shirt. Her arms stayed around my waist, loose but certain, like she was anchoring herself there on purpose. I rested my cheek against her hair, breathing her in
Time passed slowly and no matter how hard I tried to convince Aria that I’ll be fine alone in my room, she wouldn’t listen. And as much as I wanted to assure her that I’m okay already, she already decided to stay with me. Honestly, I like it this way. Although, I’m scared to get caught… it still f
When we finished eating, Aria insisted on doing the dishes.Not that I let her—she just stood, rolled up her sleeves, and raised an eyebrow like she dared me to stop her. I didn’t argue. I just leaned against the counter and watched her quietly.It was strange.Seeing her like this.No white coat.







