Chapter 7. Nayla is the woman who will have my heart.

"Listen, Nayla," Michael said with a warm voice, "I know you're in a difficult situation." Why don't you allow me to take you home? I'm sure we can chat the whole way."

Nayla was surprised by the offer, but also touched by Michael's kindness. Although her heart was torn between nervousness and gratitude, she finally nodded gently.

"Thank you, Michael. I appreciate it," Nayla said with a voice full of gratitude.

"You wait for me outside. Three more people and the audition will be over," said Michael as he walked away, while Nayla returned to the waiting room where the other auditionees greeted her with annoyed faces.

"Why is it taking so long, huh!" An audition participant shot Nayla a displeased look and then entered the audition room according to their turn.

Nayla was a bit confused because she remembered the message Michael had conveyed earlier. Should she wait?

However, the shadow of Zavier always fills her mind at the moment. She sat lost in thought in the corner of the room, staring blankly at the street through the glass window in front of her.

The rain was still raining, and she had to run a kilometer to reach the bus terminal. Better to accept Michael's offer.

Fifteen minutes passed without her noticing, Nayla exhausted then fell asleep.

"Nayla is the woman who will have my heart," Michael said softly.

Suddenly, Nayla woke up and saw Michael's face so close to hers. A sudden realization made her panic and move backward, almost falling.

In a flash, Michael grabbed Nayla's waist and held her slender body. Nayla blinked her eyes several times and adjusted her sitting position.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked softly.

Nayla shook her head and awkwardly held the collar of her shirt with one hand.

Nayla still couldn't believe whether she was dreaming or if Michael had actually said something to her.

"Hmm, what did you just say?" Nayla asked to make sure.

Michael stared deeply at the woman and then gave a warm smile, "nothing, I just arrived and was about to wake you up, why? Are you dreaming of me?"

Nayla lowered her head in embarrassment because half an hour earlier, she remembered sitting in the waiting room waiting for Michael's arrival.

Time passed slowly, and the fatigue from the tension and emotions she felt during the audition made her increasingly drowsy. Although she tried to stay awake, her eyelids eventually felt so heavy.

Unbeknownst to her, Nayla fell asleep in the waiting room chair. She drifted off into a sleep filled with unclear dreams.

In her dream, Nayla felt like she was in a different world. She and Michael walked along the beautiful beach, the sunset illuminating their laughing faces. They laughed, joked, and shared stories about their past.

As the sun began to set, Michael suddenly stopped in front of Nayla. He looked at Nayla with affection, his hand gently holding Nayla's hand.

"Nayla," Michael said softly, "I will always be here for you. I will never leave you alone."

Nayla smiled happily, feeling warm and protected near Michael. They leaned closer, their lips almost touching, when suddenly...

"Nayla? So this is how you behave?"

Zavier's voice made Nayla panic!

However, another voice responded to Zavier's voice, and it was Michael's voice.

"Nayla is the woman who will have my heart."

The voice also startled Nayla awake from her dream. She saw Michael sitting in front of her with a warm smile. Although she lost the beautiful world in her dream, Michael's real smile gave her the same spirit and relief. She still wants to maintain her unfinished status in the divorce process with Zavier.

Nayla remained silent and glanced at Michael occasionally.

"Nayla, you look very tired, actually I wanted to invite you to dinner, but I think it's better if I take you home now," said Michael softly.

"You look a bit pale," he continued.

Nayla felt a bit disappointed that her dream had to be interrupted, but she also felt relieved to hear Michael's offer to take her home.

In her heart, she still remembered the brief dream that felt beautiful, but she wanted to maintain her boundaries and not get too involved with Michael.

And Zavier's presence in that brief dream was truly unnecessary.

"Michael, I... I accidentally fell asleep," Nayla said with a trembling voice, embarrassment starting to wash over her.

Michael just smiled, then stood up and extended his hand to help Nayla get up from the chair. "It's okay, Nayla. Come on, I'll take you home now."

Nayla felt relieved upon hearing those words, grateful for Michael's patience and understanding.

Michael gently took her hand and guided her to the car. Nayla felt warm from that touch, as if she were in a safe embrace.  However, she pulled her hand away in annoyance because she knew her status was still as Zavier's wife.

In response to that, Michael only replied with a warm smile. They then got into the car and Michael started the journey home.

"How was your audition earlier?" Michael asked with genuine interest, starting the conversation.

Nayla smiled and replied, "A bit nervous, but I'm doing my best."

"I'm sure you're amazing," Michael said sincerely, "You have extraordinary talent."

"You know?"

"I give you ten points," said Michael with a warm smile, occasionally glancing at the woman beside him.

Nayla smiled and felt grateful. "Ohh... Thank you, Michael."

"You don't have to worry, I will help you so that this time, you will be the winner of the audition."

Nayla looked at Michael, there was indeed no lie in the expression of the man who had been her childhood friend.