At eight in the morning, Yike's alarm went off.
He reached for his phone immediately, silencing it before it could ring twice.
For a moment, he lay there, watching Susu sleep.
"I need to get going," he said softly.
"Try to get some more rest."
She opened her eyes halfway.
"Okay. Have a good day."
He smiled faintly, then slipped out of bed.
After a quick shower, he got dressed.
By the time he was ready to leave, Susu had gotten up and followed him to the door.
He paused, fully dressed, as if reconsidering something.
Then he leaned down and kissed her—light, unhurried.
"You don't have to see me out," he said.
"Go back to bed. I'll text you when I get to the office."
"Okay."
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
The room felt suddenly empty.
Susu returned to the bed and pulled the blanket over herself.
There was still warmth there.
His warmth.
It made the night feel unreal.
Like something imagined.
About forty minutes later, her phone vibrated.
I'm at the office.Go back to sleep if you can.
She replied with a simple okay.
Another message followed.
How are you feeling?
She stared at the screen for a moment before typing.
Fine.Just… missing you.
His reply came quickly.
I'm okay.
Her chest tightened—just slightly.
Then another message appeared.
But I was thinking—I could come by tonight, if you'd like.I don't want you getting bored at the hotel.
She let out a quiet breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Yes.
What are you doing today?
Coffee with a friend this afternoon.Dinner with another friend tonight.
Where?
She sent him the location.
A pause.
That café's pretty close.How did you end up choosing that one?
My friend said the atmosphere was nice.
I see.Take a cab—it's hot outside.It won't take long anyway.
Another message came a moment later.
For dinner, the subway should be easier.
Then, after a brief pause—
I'll be working late tonight.I'll let you know when I'm done.
Okay.
The screen went quiet.
Susu leaned back against the pillows and exhaled slowly.
The unease she had been carrying all morning finally loosened.
She had thought his leaving was just a clean ending.
A polite conclusion to something brief.
Something meant to stay in the night.
But now—
It seemed he was hesitating too.
Thinking.
Feeling his way forward.
And perhaps,
in his own careful way,
he wasn't ready to let her go just yet.