Declan's grip was firm yet careful, his hand steadying Racheal's waist as her balance betrayed her. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart pounded as if it might leap from her chest.
"Th—thank you," she whispered, afraid the words would sound too loud in that small space.
He released her gently, eyes lingering on her for a second too long—dark, unreadable, and far too intent. The hallway seemed to shrink until the world consisted only of the two of them, each suspended in an awkward, fragile silence.
Then the silence broke.
"Here you guys are!" Mia's cheerful voice cut through the tension as she approached, the smile on her face bright and easy. "I was starting to think I'd lose you both."
Racheal stepped back, fumbling with the hem of her blouse to hide how flustered she felt. Declan slipped his hands into his pockets and lowered his gaze as if nothing had happened, though the faint smirk at the corner of his mouth made her stomach twist.
Mia's eyes darted between them, amused. "Hmm… did I interrupt a private scene?"
"N-no, not at all," Racheal stammered. "I just needed some air."
"Good," Mia said, looping her arm through Declan's. "Let's go back before our food gets cold."
They returned to the table. Racheal sat down, forcing composure while her hands trembled just enough to make the glass in front of her tinkle. The initial small talk came easily—Mia filling the gaps with light chatter about a lecture and a funny tutor, gradually pulling Racheal back into ordinary rhythm. But every so often Declan's sleeve brushed the table and Racheal felt the memory of his hand on her waist as if it were still there.
Halfway through the main course, Mia's phone buzzed on the table. She checked it, frowned slightly, and stood. "Dad," she mouthed, apologetic. "I need to take this. Sorry—two seconds."
She moved a few steps away to the entrance, voice low as she answered. Racheal watched her go, grateful for the excuse to breathe without the acute awareness of Declan's proximity. Declan, however, remained still, focused on his plate though his jaw tightened with something she couldn't name.
Mia's voice carried back faintly through the café—light, then worried, then polite. After a couple of minutes she returned, slipping into her seat with an apologetic grin. "Everything's fine. He just wanted an update about a meeting. Sorry—family stuff."
"That's okay," Racheal managed. "No problem."
Mia waved a hand. "No harm done. Actually—this place has the best cake in town. We should order dessert. I'll get three slices; it'll sweeten the mood."
Racheal blinked, surprised—relief and gratitude both softening her features. "Oh, no, you don't have to—"
"Nonsense," Mia said, already calling the waiter. "A little sugar never hurt anyone."
Declan watched the exchange without expression, then gave the smallest nod as the waiter took their order. When the cakes arrived, Mia cut generous slices and pushed one toward Racheal with theatrical flourish. "Try it. Now smile."
Racheal laughed despite herself and took a bite. The sweetness was comfortingly ordinary, a brief anchor in a day that had threatened to unmoor her. She let the taste settle, letting the moment be nothing more than two friends sharing a treat.
Between bites, Mia rambled on about a professor's eccentricity, about a film she wanted to see, about nothing and everything. Her chatter was designed to fill the spaces and, bit by bit, the tightness at Racheal's chest loosened.
Still, every now and then she caught Declan watching her—nothing hostile, but not exactly casual either. Once, their eyes met. He gave a small, almost imperceptible lift of his chin, as if acknowledging something they both refused to name out loud.
When Mia finally checked the time and rose to leave, she hugged Racheal warmly. "Next time, dessert first," she said, grinning. "Non-negotiable."
"Promise," Racheal replied, and meant it.
Declan lingered a beat as they walked to the door. His voice, when he said it, was low—almost ordinary—but it reached her like a small, steady thing. "Get home safe."
Two simple words, but they stayed with Racheal long after the café doors closed behind them.