"Come in," Dominic's voice sounded from within.
Sally stepped into the study, her gaze drifting briefly around the room. It was her first time inside.
Rowan was no longer there. Only Ace remained, standing silently to one side, while Dominic had returned to his seat behind the desk.
The surface of the desk was immaculate. The scattered files she had glimpsed earlier had vanished, as though they had never existed.
She moved forward and gently placed the cup on the desk.
Dominic reached out, his fingers curling around the handle. He did not lift it. Instead, his thumb brushed lightly against the porcelain, an absent motion that did not match the intent focus of his gaze.
His eyes were on her.
Sally shifted slightly under it, a trace of discomfort creeping in. "Enjoy your night," she murmured, already turning to leave.
"It hasn't been that long," Dominic said suddenly, "but you're all grown."
She paused.
"How time flies," he added, his gaze lowering briefly to the cup, as though the thought had come unbidden.
Sally hesitated, uncertain how to respond. Their relationship had never been close. Beyond the occasional inquiries about her studies, there had been little to bridge the distance between them.
His eyes lifted again.
"If there's anything you need," he said, "you should ask."
She blinked, caught off guard. "I… I'm fine. I don't need anything right now."
He nodded once.
"It's good this way," he said.
Sally frowned faintly. This way? The distance between them?
Her thoughts were interrupted.
"Isn't it?" he asked, his gaze settling on her again.
She forced a small nod. "Yes… it is."
"Thanks to you and Mom Elena, I've been living well," she added, her tone matter-of-fact.
Dominic regarded her for a moment before speaking again, his voice even.
"Have you thought about where you'd like to study? It may be early, but it's better to decide sooner rather than later."
"I'm still considering," Sally replied. "But I'm thinking of a college in another city. A different environment… a chance to grow."
Her eyes remained on him, watching carefully for any reaction.
Dominic only smiled.
"That would be unfortunate," he said lightly. "Elena would miss you very much."
His attention shifted back to his laptop, as though the matter held no further weight.
The dismissal was subtle, but unmistakable.
Sally stood there for a moment longer, then inclined her head slightly. "Then… enjoy your night."
Her gaze flickered briefly toward Ace before she turned and left the study.
Behind her, the door closed softly, sealing the quiet once more.
***
The next day at school, the so-called free period felt anything but free. With the midterm examinations drawing near, it had quietly turned into a study session. The classroom was filled with the soft rustle of pages and the faint scratch of pens against paper.
Selene sat beside Sally, a textbook open before her. At first glance, she appeared focused, her posture upright, her pen resting neatly between her fingers. Yet her attention was far from the printed words. Her gaze drifted repeatedly toward the door, then back to the book, only to wander again moments later.
Sally soon noticed.
She watched her for a while before finally speaking. "Are you going somewhere?"
Selene startled slightly. "What? Oh—no." She shook her head quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she forced her eyes onto the page. "I'm not."
Sally studied her for a moment longer, then let it go with a small shrug and returned to her notes.
By lunchtime, Sally, Selene, and Rhea moved with the crowd, trays in hand, weaving through clusters of students as they searched for a place to sit.
Rhea, as usual, was already deep into conversation, if it could even be called that, since she was the only one truly speaking.
"I still can't believe he's taking a break," she lamented, her voice full of emotion. "But I'll still support him, of course. That's what real love is—supporting the person you love no matter what."
She clasped her hands with a soft sigh.
"I'll just have to buy more of his merch. He shouldn't feel like he's losing support while he's away."
Sally, already weary of the topic, quickly slid into the nearest seat. "Don't you think you should focus on yourself first?" she said, setting her tray down. "All this idol chasing… isn't it exhausting?"
Rhea gasped as though personally offended. "What do you know? Loving someone is never exhausting. But I don't blame you," she added with a toss of her head. "You've never experienced what it's like to admire someone—especially someone so breathtakingly amazing."
Sally rolled her eyes.
"What's the point of loving someone who doesn't even love you back?" Selene added, her tone light, almost teasing.
Sally smirked. "Exactly. Does he even know you exist?"
Rhea puffed her cheeks in indignation. "You two are impossible! Don't talk about my love like that!"
Their banter was cut short by a subtle stir in the cafeteria.
A group of male students had just walked in.
At the center were two familiar figures—Chase and Alvin. Walking side by side, their presence drew immediate attention.
Several girls blushed openly, their eyes following them without restraint.
Rhea's eyes lit up instantly. "Now that is a sight for sore eyes."
She leaned forward slightly. "Wait… why are they together? Are they actually on good terms now?"
"Maybe the last match inspired some kind of brotherhood," Sally said lightly, sparing them a brief glance before returning to her plate.
"They weren't even on the same team," Rhea shot back. "What brotherhood?"
Sally only shrugged and returned to her meal. It has nothing to do with her, after all.
Then she noticed Selene had gone quiet.
Sally turned, her gaze settling on her...and paused.
Selene was staring.
Not casually, but intently.
Her eyes were fixed in their direction, her expression unusually focused.
A small, knowing smile touched Sally's lips.
Is something cooking?
"Hey," she called.
Selene blinked, her attention snapping back as though she had been pulled from somewhere far away. "Hm?"