There was no surprise in Hayden adding me on social media.


    Given our coboration, we’d need tomunicate a lot, and adding each other would make


    things


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    easier,


    But I didn’t ept his friend request right away. Instead, I replied to Lena’s message, but she didn’t


    respond–probably busy again.


    Next, I opened Wayne’s message, thought for a moment, and replied: [I’ve been busy with the


    amusement park project. I’ll show you around once I’m free.]


    I added another word: [Sorry.]


    Wayne responded quickly: [No worries. Just make sure to take care of yourself.]


    I was about to reply with a simple ‘okay‘ when another message from Wayne came through; [I’ll wait


    for you]


    Those four words made my drafted ‘okay hard to send, so instead, I replied: [Are you staying here


    while?]


    Wayne: [Yes, I’m not leaving anytime soon.]


    That line was unexpected.


    After a few seconds, I replied: [Your parents must be happy.]


    Wayne’s status showed he was typing, but no new message came through..


    I didn’t wait around. Instead, I opened my email to check for any work–rted stuff.


    It was my habit to handle emails daily, but with most tasks delegated, my inbox was empty.


    Seeing the “Inbox Zero” message left me feeling oddly empty.


    for


    Demi walked over then, holding her phone in front of me. “Keira, have you seen this show? I’m


    obsessed. The chemistry between the leads is fire.”


    I nced at her screen. The lead actors were some of my favorites, and the scene looked


    interesting. The heroine had turned into a chicken and was throwing a fit at the teasing hero.


    I set my phone aside and started watching the show with Demi, but the allure of the series lost to


    sleep. When I woke up, it was already early morning.


    I was up at five as usual, thanks to my internal clock. Demi, sprawled out like a starfish, had her


    nightgown bunched up around her thighs, showing off hercy underwear.


    I pulled a nket over her, grabbed my phone, and saw a few messages.


    Lena had replied, and there was one unread message from Wayne: [What about you?]


    It took me a second to realize he was asking if I was happy about his staying.


    “What does that have to do with me? Whether he stays home or goes abroad is none of my


    business. Why


    is he asking?‘


    His question felt weird, especially since we I left him on read.


    were grownups now, so


    Setting my phone aside, I got ready and went to the window with a ss of water. Outside, a thin


    fog had settled. It wasn’t thick, barely affecting the visibility of the surroundings.


    As I finished my water and prepared to stretch, a figure caught my eye. With long strides, who else


    could it be but Hayden?


    Despite leaving the military, he still had that perfect posture and discipline, always keeping up with


    his running routine. He was the definition of a self–disciplined modern guy.


    I suddenly remembered I hadn’t epted Hayden’s friend request. I grabbed my phone and


    epted it, then started my morning stretches.


    While changing clothes, I applied the ointment Hayden had given me. No point in making things


    harder for myself.


    As I got ready to head downstairs for breakfast before going to the amusement park, I got a DM


    from Hayden: [Did you get a boyfriend?]


    I was taken aback. Did he send me a friend request just to ask this?