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Chapter 8: Between us
The night felt quieter than usual.
After eating, I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling as the faint hum of the fan filled the silence. The warmth of the food had settled my hunger, but not my thoughts. They kept drifting… back to him.
It was strange.
Out of everything that had happened today—the family gathering, the mocking smiles, the quiet disappointment hidden behind polite words—he was the one thing that lingered.
I picked up my phone without thinking too much.
Auren: Had dinner yet?
For a moment, I expected silence.
But then—
Unknown: Just got back.
A pause.
Then another message appeared.
Unknown: Did you?
I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Auren: Yeah. Ordered food. Couldn't survive on family drama alone.
There was a short delay this time.
Unknown: Sounds serious.
I smiled faintly at the screen.
Auren: It is. Very dangerous environment. Emotional damage everywhere.
Another pause… slightly longer.
Then—
Unknown: And yet you survived.
Something about that line felt… different.
Not cold. Not distant.
Just… observing.
Auren: Barely.
I shifted slightly on my bed, turning to my side.
Auren: What about you? Didn't eat?
This time, his reply came slower.
Unknown: Not really.
Auren: Why?
A few seconds passed.
Unknown: I don't like eating alone.
I blinked.
That… wasn't what I expected.
For someone who sounded so composed all the time, that answer felt unexpectedly human.
Auren: That's kinda sad.
Unknown: Is it?
Auren: Yeah. Food tastes better when you complain about it with someone.
A pause.
Then—
Unknown: You complain a lot?
I huffed softly.
Auren: Only when necessary.
Unknown: So… always?
I laughed under my breath.
Auren: Wow. You've known me for what, two days? And already judging me?
There was a slight delay.
Then—
Unknown: Observing. Not judging.
My fingers paused over the screen for a second.
That word again.
Observing.
Like he was always… watching from a distance.
I shook the thought away.
Auren: Fine. Then observe this—I helped you pick dinner, so technically you owe me.
Unknown: Do I?
There it was again.
That slight edge in his tone.
Not cold—just… teasing.
I smirked.
Auren: Obviously.
Unknown: What do I owe you then?
I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary.
Then typed—
Auren: Hmm…
Auren: Next time, you don't eat alone.
The reply didn't come immediately this time.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Unknown: That sounds less like a request and more like an order.
I raised an eyebrow.
Auren: Maybe it is.
A pause.
Then—
Unknown: You're bold.
My heartbeat skipped—just slightly.
Auren: Only sometimes.
Another pause.
Longer this time.
And then—
Unknown: I don't mind.
I froze for a second.
Just for a second.
Then I looked away from the screen, pressing my lips together.
Why did that feel… different?
Why did that matter?
I shook my head and looked back at the chat.
Auren: Good. Then don't ignore my orders next time.
Unknown: We'll see.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
Auren: That's not a yes.
Unknown: It's not a no either.
I let out a quiet breath, staring at the screen.
He was impossible.
But not in a bad way.
…Just in a way that made me want to keep talking.
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Somewhere far away, in a dimly lit room, a man stood near a glass window overlooking the city.
The faint glow of lights reflected against the polished floor, casting long shadows behind him. His suit was still perfectly in place, tie slightly loosened, sleeves unwrinkled—like he hadn't moved much since returning.
A phone rested in his hand.
The screen still lit.
Still open.
Still on that conversation.
His gaze lingered on the last message.
A faint, almost unnoticeable smile touched his lips.
"Bold…" he murmured softly.
Then, after a moment—
"…interesting."
The city stretched endlessly before him.
But for now—
His attention wasn't on it.
---
Back in my room, I turned off my phone and placed it beside me.
For the first time that day—
My mind felt… lighter.
And somehow—
The silence didn't feel so heavy anymore.
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