I had researched everything about his company, yet nothing came up. It was as if it didn't exist. The strange silence left me uneasy—981 out of 1,000 things seemed perfect, but those missing 19 made me suspicious.
Then, Austin called.
I answered immediately. "Austin?"
His voice on the other end sounded uncharacteristically joyful. "Edwin!" he said, brimming with excitement.
"Austin, you sound... different. Happier than usual. Did something amazing happen?"
"Yes," he replied, his words light, almost floating. "I've been reunited with someone very important."
My heart skipped. "Someone I know?" I probed, already piecing together possible names.
He chuckled softly, a sound layered with a mystery I couldn't grasp. "No, not yet. But you'll know eventually."
I leaned forward, intrigued. "So, you called just to tell me that?"
Austin's tone shifted, playful but deliberate. "I'm throwing a party—an exclusive one. And Edwin..." He paused just enough to make me wonder. "It's for you."
"For me?" I repeated, more confused than ever.
"Yes. You'll come, won't you?" he asked with an unmistakable note of finality.
"Of course. Home is wherever you are," I teased, sensing more than what his words let on.
He laughed, the kind of laugh that hinted at hidden truths. "Good. But it's not just a party, Edwin... it's much more than that."
Before I could pry further, he cut the call.
I arrived at his place that night, standing before the grand door with snacks in hand, trying to shake off an odd sense of anticipation. I rang the doorbell.
Austin opened the door with his usual charm, but there was something different—something in the way he smiled. His eyes danced with a secret.
"You brought snacks?" He grinned mischievously. "How childish of you, Edwin."
I rolled my eyes, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and suspicion. "Are you going to leave me out here all night, or will you let me in?"
He pushed the door open wider with an exaggerated flourish. "Come in, then."
The moment I stepped inside, I knew this night would be unlike anything I'd imagined.
"By the way, these snacks aren't for you," I teased as I placed the bags on the table in front of the couch. "They're for only me".
Austin rolled his eyes with a grin. "Sure, sure. Just spread them out neatly."
I shook my head, amused by his bossy tone as I arranged the snacks. "Do you drink alcohol?" He asked casually.
"Nope. Get me a soda," I replied without hesitation, settling into the couch.
Moments later, the room erupted with the booming sound of music. Austin had cranked up the volume on his sound system.
"Can't you turn it down a little?" I shouted over the deafening beat.
"Not a chance!" he hollered back with a mischievous grin, standing beside the speakers. Then, with a flick of his hand, he switched the track to The Weeknd.
I couldn't help but smirk. "At least it's a good song."
To my surprise, I found myself enjoying it. This wasn't the usual reserved Austin I knew. Here, at home, he was someone entirely different—a wild spirit, carefree and full of life.
We spent the night joking and laughing, with Austin cracking hilarious stories about his business rivals. It was the first time I'd had this much fun with a friend in years. Gone was the cool, composed businessman. Tonight, he was just... Austin.
He looked effortlessly attractive even now, relaxed and unguarded, his hair a mess but somehow adding to his charm. He had that kind of look—the sort that could make heads turn without trying. If someone saw him like this, they wouldn't just admire him—they'd pounce.
As the night rolled on, He asked, "Hey, were you working when I called earlier? I swear I heard some intense typing in the background."
I paused, giving him a strange smile. "No. I resigned."
The words hit him like a brick. "You what? And you didn't even tell me? Do you even consider me your friend?"
"Of course, my dear friend," I said, voice soft and sincere. "But... part of me wanted to share it with you like this—in my own time, in my own way."
For a brief moment, there was silence between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. I realized then that I was seeing a side of him no one else got to see—a version of Austin untouched by the pressures of the outside world.
"Will you work for my company for a while?" Austin asked casually.
I shook my head. "No, I've got a mountain of work waiting for me," I replied with a serious tone as the thought of my to-do list hit me like a wave.
Austin leaned forward, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What kind of work? Some new photography project?"
"Not exactly." I gave a small smile. "It's something personal. I'll let you know if I need help."
He nodded, leaning back against the couch. "Alright... So, will you stay over tonight?"
His sudden offer caught me off guard. "What?" I blinked, glancing at the clock. It was already 2 AM. "I don't want to trouble you. I should probably head back—". "Nah, it's just… no one's ever asked me for a sleepover before." Austin raised an eyebrow, his expression both amused and thoughtful
He grinned, clearly pleased with my response, and suddenly pulled me into a quick, warm hug. "From now on, you're staying whenever you want, no questions asked."
Before I could reply, he guided me toward a cozy guest room. The bed looked inviting, and exhaustion was starting to catch up with me.
"Goodnight, Edwin," Austin said, flashing a soft smile before leaving me alone.
I collapsed onto the bed, sinking into the pillows. The moment my head hit the soft surface, I drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.