Kai discovered that liking Adrian Blake came with an unexpected inconvenience. He had become far too aware of his phone. Not obsessed. Absolutely not. He simply happened to glance at it whenever it was within reach. During breakfast. Between lectures. While waiting for customers at the restaurant. And, occasionally, while pretending to listen to Ethan complain about their anatomy professor. “You’re doing it again,” Ethan said. Kai looked up. “Doing what?” “Checking your phone.” “I’m not.” “You’re holding it.” “That doesn’t mean I’m checking it.” Ethan leaned closer. “Then why are you smiling at it?” Kai immediately lowered the phone. “I wasn’t smiling.” “You were.” “I had gas.” Ethan stared at him. “That is the worst excuse you’ve ever given.” Kai slipped the phone into his pocket and picked up his textbook. “Shouldn’t you be studying?” “I am studying you.” “That sounds illegal.” “It probably is.” Before Kai could respond, Ethan’s attention shifted toward the lecture hall entrance. Daniel had just walked in. He spotted them and approached, carrying a stack of notes. “Professor Carter uploaded the revised research guidelines,” he said. “I printed a copy for you.” He handed the papers to Kai. Kai accepted them. “Thanks.” Daniel smiled. “You’re welcome.” There was a brief pause. Then Daniel looked at him carefully. “Are you free this weekend?” Kai hesitated. He had work scheduled for Saturday and a group assignment due Monday. But there was something else he had begun considering lately. Adrian. Not because he expected Adrian to ask him out again. At least, that was what he told himself. “I’m not sure,” Kai answered. Daniel nodded. “That’s fine. Just let me know.” He turned to leave, but Kai stopped him. “Daniel.” Daniel looked back. “I’m sorry if I’ve been distracted lately.” Daniel gave him a small smile. “You don’t have to apologize for having a life.” “That’s not what I meant.” “I know.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Daniel added quietly, “You don’t owe me an explanation, Kai.” The words were kind. They still made Kai uncomfortable. Because Daniel deserved honesty, even if Kai wasn’t entirely sure how to give it. “I do like spending time with you,” Kai said. “I know.” “But…” Daniel nodded before he could finish. “But there’s someone else.” Kai looked at him. Daniel’s expression tightened for half a second, but he didn’t look surprised. “Is it serious?” Kai thought of Adrian’s steady gaze, his quiet patience, and the way he had held Kai’s hand without trying to claim it. “I don’t know,” Kai admitted. Daniel smiled faintly. “Then I hope you figure it out.” He left before Kai could say anything else. Ethan waited until Daniel was gone. Then he slowly turned toward Kai. “You handled that surprisingly well.” Kai frowned. “Was I supposed to throw a chair?” “I’m just saying. You usually make emotional situations worse.” “I make everything worse.” “That’s true.” Kai opened his textbook. Ethan leaned closer. “So, is the someone else a certain terrifying businessman?” Kai didn’t look at him. “Read your notes.” “That’s a yes.” ⸻ That afternoon, Kai went to work at the restaurant. The shift was unusually hectic. A large group had arrived without a reservation, two waiters called in sick, and the manager looked ready to resign halfway through the evening. Kai moved between tables with a tray balanced on one hand. “Table six needs water,” Mr. Lewis called. “Table six has already asked three times.” “Then give them water before they start drinking from the flower vase.” Kai grabbed a jug. “Would that be cheaper?” Mr. Lewis gave him a tired look. “Don’t encourage them.” Kai was halfway toward the dining area when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He ignored it. The restaurant was too busy. A few minutes later, it vibrated again. This time, he glanced at the screen. Adrian: Have you eaten? Kai stopped walking. A customer nearly collided with him. “Sorry,” Kai said quickly, stepping aside. He looked at the message again. Adrian had sent it without any greeting. No explanation. Just a simple question. Kai typed a reply. Kai: I work in a restaurant. What do you think? The response came quickly. Adrian: That isn’t an answer. Kai: It means I’m surrounded by food. Adrian: And have you eaten any of it? Kai smiled. Kai: Are you always this controlling? There was a pause. Adrian: Only when you’re being difficult. Kai: Then you must be exhausted. Adrian: I am. Kai’s smile softened. He could picture Adrian in his office, surrounded by documents and people waiting for decisions. Kai: You should rest. Adrian: You first. Kai looked toward the kitchen. “Annoying man,” he muttered. “Who?” Mr. Lewis asked from behind him. Kai nearly dropped the jug. “No one.” Mr. Lewis glanced at the phone in his hand. “Your boyfriend?” Kai’s eyes widened. “He is not—” He stopped. Mr. Lewis raised an eyebrow. Kai cleared his throat. “He’s just someone I know.” “Of course.” “Why does everyone keep saying that?” “Because everyone who says ‘someone I know’ is usually talking about someone they like.” Kai stared at him. Mr. Lewis pointed toward the dining area. “Table six.” Kai hurried away before the conversation could become more embarrassing. ⸻ At Blake Corporation, Adrian sat through three meetings and dismissed two proposals. By six o’clock, he had completed enough work to satisfy an entire department. He still wasn’t ready to leave. Marcus placed a folder on his desk. “The revised contract.” Adrian opened it. “Anything else?” “Your dinner reservation.” “Cancel it.” Marcus paused. “You made the reservation yourself.” “I changed my mind.” “Should I ask why?” “No.” Marcus nodded and turned to leave. Then Adrian’s phone lit up. A message from Kai. Kai: I ate half a sandwich. Are you satisfied? Adrian looked at the screen for a moment. Adrian: No. Kai: You’re impossible. Adrian: You should eat properly. Kai: You sound like my mother. Adrian’s expression softened slightly. Adrian: Your mother is probably right. Kai took longer to reply this time. Kai: Don’t get comfortable. I’m still difficult. Adrian leaned back in his chair. Adrian: I’m aware. Then, after a moment, he added: Adrian: That’s not a problem. Kai stared at the message on the other side of the city. His fingers rested above the keyboard. He wanted to make a joke. Something sharp. Something that would keep the conversation light. But the words Adrian had sent had slipped past his defenses too easily. That’s not a problem. Kai swallowed. Kai: Good. He sent the message before he could overthink it. Adrian read it immediately. For several seconds, neither of them wrote anything else. Then Adrian typed: Adrian: When are you free? Kai’s heart began beating faster. Kai: Why? Adrian: I want to see you. There it was. Simple. Direct. No excuse involving business or research. No university event. No convenient reason. Adrian wanted to see him. Kai looked around the restaurant, suddenly aware of how loud everything was. Kai: You saw me two days ago. Adrian: I remember. Kai: Then why do you want to see me again? The reply appeared after a brief pause. Adrian: Because two days is too long. Kai forgot how to breathe for a moment. He read the message twice. Then a third time. His face grew warm. Kai: That sounds dangerously close to missing me. Adrian did not answer immediately. When his reply finally came, it was short. Adrian: It is. Kai stared at the screen. The noise of the restaurant faded around him. He had expected teasing. He had expected Adrian to avoid the question, or turn it into another dry remark. He hadn’t expected honesty. Not so easily. Not like this. Kai typed a response, deleted it, and typed another. Finally, he sent: Kai: I’m free Sunday afternoon. Adrian answered almost at once. Adrian: I’ll pick you up. Kai smiled. Kai: Don’t be late. Adrian: I’m never late. Kai: You’re late emotionally. There was a long pause. Then: Adrian: I’m working on it. Kai laughed softly. Mr. Lewis looked over from the counter. “Good news?” Kai slipped his phone into his pocket. “Maybe.” ⸻ Later that night, Adrian finally left the office. Marcus was waiting near the elevators. “You’re leaving early.” “It’s almost ten.” “For you, that’s early.” Adrian pressed the elevator button. Marcus studied him. “Dinner?” “No.” “Another meeting?” “No.” “Then what changed?” Adrian looked at his phone. Nothing had changed in the company. No major contract had been signed. No crisis had been solved. No business victory had occurred. And yet the evening felt different. “I have plans on Sunday,” he said. Marcus smiled. “With the medical student?” Adrian gave him a cold look. Marcus held up both hands. “I didn’t say anything.” “You were about to.” “I was going to say that Sunday is a perfectly reasonable day to have plans.” “Good.” The elevator doors opened. Marcus stepped inside after him. Then he added, “You should buy flowers.” Adrian looked at him. “Why?” “Because people usually bring flowers on dates.” “I’m not bringing flowers.” “Then chocolates.” “No.” “A gift?” “No.” Marcus sighed. “You’re making this unnecessarily difficult.” Adrian looked ahead. “I’m taking him to lunch.” “Dinner?” “Lunch.” “Flowers would still work.” Adrian said nothing. But as the elevator descended, he found himself considering it. Not flowers. Kai would probably accuse him of trying to impress him. Perhaps something smaller. Something useful. Something Kai would actually appreciate. Then Adrian remembered that Kai hated being given things he hadn’t asked for. He dismissed the thought immediately. He would bring nothing. Except himself. For once, that would have to be enough. ⸻ When Kai arrived home, Noah was waiting in the living room. “You’re smiling.” Kai removed his shoes. “No, I’m not.” “You are.” “I’m tired.” “Tired people don’t smile at their phones.” Kai froze. Noah pointed at him. “You’re seeing someone.” “I’m not seeing anyone.” “Then why do you look like that?” “Like what?” “Like you’ve been poisoned by happiness.” Kai threw a cushion at him. Noah caught it. “Is it the rich man?” Kai’s expression changed. Noah’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. It is.” “Keep your voice down.” “Mum!” Kai lunged for him. Noah ran down the hallway, laughing. “Your rich man is coming back!” “He is not my rich man!” His mother appeared from the kitchen. “What is happening?” “Nothing,” Kai said quickly. Noah grinned from behind the doorway. “Kai has a date on Sunday.” His mother looked at him. Kai closed his eyes. “It’s not exactly a date.” “Then what is it?” Kai thought about Adrian’s message. I want to see you. He opened his eyes. “I’m not sure yet.” His mother smiled gently. “Then take your time.” For once, Kai didn’t make a joke. He simply nodded. Later, lying in bed, he checked his phone one last time. A new message from Adrian waited there. Adrian: Good night, Kai. Kai smiled. Kai: Good night, Adrian. He placed the phone beside his pillow. Then, after a moment, picked it up again. Kai: And don’t buy me anything on Sunday. Adrian’s reply came almost immediately. Adrian: I wasn’t planning to. Kai narrowed his eyes. Kai: You hesitated. Adrian: Good night, Kai. Kai laughed quietly. Kai: Good night, old man. This time, Adrian took longer to answer. Adrian: I’m twenty-eight. Kai: Exactly. Kai put the phone down, still smiling. Across the city, Adrian stared at the message for several seconds. Then, despite himself, he laughed. It was quiet. Brief. But real. And for the first time, neither of them needed to be standing beside the other to feel close. Sunday was still two days away. For Kai, that suddenly seemed far too long. For Adrian, it was no different.

A Change in Routine