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Chapter 29 - Chapter Twenty-Nine (29)

Whitney: "Andrew! You won't believe what just happened!"

Andrew: "Uh… should I be worried?"

Whitney: "Worried? Absolutely! I was walking to lunch, minding my business, when this guy—total stranger—decided I needed his life story."

Andrew: "Life story?"

Whitney: "Yes! Every detail about his job, his cat, his gym routine… I didn't even ask!"

Andrew: "Wow… sounds riveting."

Whitney: "Riveting? No. Awkward? Definitely. And it gets worse."

Andrew: "Oh no. There's worse?"

Whitney: "He asked me out. Out of nowhere. Like, as if I were just sitting there waiting for him to sweep me off my feet."

Andrew: "Did you say yes?"

Whitney: "Andrew! Of course not! I said I was… busy."

Andrew: "Busy… with?"

Whitney: "With living my life! And work! And avoiding random strangers who think I need their guidance!"

Andrew: "Makes sense."

Whitney: "But here's the kicker—he wouldn't take no for an answer. He kept texting me after I left. I think he followed me partway down the street."

Andrew: "Seriously?"

Whitney: "Yes! And I only stopped because I ducked into a café and pretended to be on a phone call with… someone. Anyone!"

Andrew: "Wow. That's intense."

Whitney: "Intense doesn't even cover it! And Andrew… I panicked."

Andrew: "Panicked?"

Whitney: "Yes! I don't know what to do! I feel trapped. I can't just ignore him because he's… persistent."

Andrew: "Whitney… do you want me to help?"

Whitney: "You'd do that?"

Andrew: "Of course. We've got to handle this together."

Whitney: "I don't want to be dramatic, but I feel like I'm in a movie—like one of those thriller scenes."

Andrew: "Trust me, we'll make it stop being a thriller."

Whitney: "Andrew… thank you. Seriously. I don't know why I'm always in these situations."

Andrew: "Maybe bad luck? Or maybe good luck in disguise—you get to test your problem-solving skills!"

Whitney: "Haha, thanks for making me feel like a superhero in distress."

Andrew: "You are a superhero. Just… temporarily in a scene you didn't audition for."

Whitney: "Andrew… stop being wise. Just help me figure out how to make him leave me alone!"

Andrew: "Okay, first step—we stop responding to texts immediately. Ignore, block, whatever you need."

Whitney: "Block? I didn't even know my phone could do that."

Andrew: "It can. Watch."

Whitney: "You're tech-savvy, you know that?"

Andrew: "I've survived office chaos, Whitney. This is nothing."

Whitney: "True… but somehow it feels like a battle against fate."

Andrew: "Whitney, focus. We block him, document everything, and if he shows up again, we go straight to the authorities. No shame in that."

Whitney: "Authorities?"

Andrew: "Yes. You don't have to handle someone like this on your own."

Whitney: "Andrew… you're a lifesaver."

Andrew: "Not a lifesaver. Just… a friend who doesn't want to see you stressed out."

Whitney: "I guess that makes sense. But still… why me?"

Andrew: "Why anyone? Some people think persistence is a personality trait."

Whitney: "He's persistent alright… annoyingly so."

Andrew: "We'll deal with it, one step at a time. Step one: block him."

Whitney: "Alright… done."

Andrew: "Step two: no more responses."

Whitney: "Done. This already feels lighter."

Andrew: "See? You're already winning."

Whitney: "Andrew… you're like my personal problem-solver. I might start expecting this from you all the time."

Andrew: "Let's not make a habit of it. I like to keep it special."

Whitney: "Haha, special, huh? Noted."

Andrew: "Now, step three: if he texts again, we escalate."

Whitney: "By escalate, you mean…?"

Andrew: "Police, restraining order, whatever it takes. You're safe first."

Whitney: "You're terrifyingly responsible."

Andrew: "Someone's got to be. And hey, think of it this way—he's about to find out persistence doesn't work on Whitney."

Whitney: "I hope so… I really hope so."

Andrew: "He will. And until then, you've got me."

Whitney: "Okay… I feel a little better."

Andrew: "Good. That's the goal."

Whitney: "You know, Andrew… sometimes I forget how calming you can be."

Andrew: "I try. But seriously, you're strong. You can handle this too."

Whitney: "Strong, huh? Feels more like panicked at the moment."

Andrew: "Panicked is temporary. Strength lasts."

Whitney: "Andrew… you're such a philosopher."

Andrew: "Or maybe just someone who's seen Whitney survive worse."

Whitney: "Worse?"

Andrew: "Office chaos. Adrian's manipulations. And don't forget your own dramatic flair."

Whitney: "Dramatic flair counts as experience, right?"

Andrew: "Absolutely. And in your case, very specialized experience."

Whitney: "Andrew… you're going to be my therapist now too, aren't you?"

Andrew: "Only if you promise to pay in cookies or coffee."

Whitney: "Deal. But I'll need extra coffee for today."

Andrew: "Noted. Extra coffee and a side of sanity."

Whitney: "You're ridiculous. But… thank you. Really."

Andrew: "No need to thank me. I've got your back."

Whitney: "Feels good to hear that."

Andrew: "It should. You're not alone in this."

Whitney: "Andrew… what if he shows up again? I can't take another face-to-face encounter."

Andrew: "Then we escalate immediately. No second chances. Safety first."

Whitney: "Andrew… you're scary in a good way."

Andrew: "I'll take that as a compliment."

Whitney: "You should. Okay… I feel like we've got a plan. It's solid. He can't touch me."

Andrew: "Exactly. Control is back where it belongs—with you."

Whitney: "Andrew… I owe you big time."

Andrew: "No debt, Whitney. Just friendship. Pure and simple."

Whitney: "Friendship with someone who kicks butt at handling random stranger drama. Got it."

Andrew: "Exactly. I might even start a side business doing this."

Whitney: "Please don't. I want this one superhero to remain exclusive."

Andrew: "Deal. But only because I like exclusive contracts."

Whitney: "You're ridiculous. And annoying. And yet… I think I might owe you three coffees now."

Andrew: "Make it four, and we call it even."

Whitney: "Four. Fine. But next time… next time you need to calm me down, you better bring pastries too."

Andrew: "It's a deal. Coffee and pastries, your superhero kit for random stranger invasions."

Whitney: "Andrew… I don't know what I'd do without you."

Andrew: "You'd survive. You always do. I just make it a little less dramatic."

Whitney: "I feel like you just gave me superpowers."

Andrew: "You already had them. I just helped you remember."

Whitney: "Andrew… thanks. Truly."

Andrew: "Anytime, Whitney. That's what friends are for."

Whitney: "Well… friends, superheroes, coffee providers, problem solvers… you really do it all, huh?"

Andrew: "I try. But don't make this a habit. I'm charging for overtime next time."

Whitney: "Haha! You're impossible. But… I think I can live with it."

Andrew: "Good. Then consider this battle against the random guy won."

Whitney: "Victory. Officially."

Andrew: "Officially. And we'll celebrate with coffee and pastries tomorrow."

Whitney: "Deal. And… Andrew?"

Andrew: "Yeah?"

Whitney: "Thanks. For everything."

Andrew: "Always, Whitney. Always."

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