The first time, he placed a soft knock on the door and waited for a response but got none. The second time, it was firmer than the first and still he got no reply. He thought about the fact that she might have fallen asleep so Adedayo reached into his briefcase and searched for the second copy of the key, one he'd gotten made in case of any situation. He only wished she didn't have the key stuck in the keyhole on the other side. Adedayo inserted the key and thankfully, he was able to unlock the door and made his way in, locking it once more after himself.

He took off his shoes by the door and left his case on the couch as his eyes searched for the sight of Joy.

"Joy." He called when he was in front of the closed door into the room. No reply came through and this time, he remembered the incident that had taken place with her when the lights went off. He wondered if she was in the same situation so, casually, he pushed the handle and opened the door. One or two steps in, he saw her lying on her side, asleep on the bed. Easily, he released a sigh of relief. For what would seem like a minute, he stood still by the door and a huge part of him contemplated if it was okay to walk in regardless of the fact that she was asleep. He resolved to be quiet so he walked in, picked out some casual clothes from the wardrobe and his towel. He had a quick shower and was in his casual clothes.

In her sleep, Joy let out a sound. A subtle sound of struggle and Dayo, who was in the room sorting out a thing or two in the wardrobe, turned in her direction. After a while, she was suddenly silent and he looked away only to return his gaze to her when she made more similar sounds. He thought it was best to check in on her and see if she was doing okay.

When he was in front of her, he stood still for a few seconds before squatting and watched as her brows furrowed deeper, her face expressing her intimate discomfort. Adedayo raised a hand to her, about to shake her enough to get her to wake but he halted on his action as doubt filled his thoughts. Was it right for him to intervene? Would she be okay with it?

He withdrew his hand and before realizing it, his gaze rested on her face. Suddenly, her brows eased up, second by second and her facial expression was without a hitch. It was peaceful. She looked peaceful and though he knew a nightmare he knew nothing of had troubled her, right now, it seemed like it never happened. Adedayo stared and regardless of the feeling at the back of his head telling him to stop, he was unable to look away.

Steadily, a heave of breath left through his lips and he could feel the stress of the day slowly evaporating. Believe it or not, Adedayo wasn't always one to stare. In fact, he would much rather exist on his own than draw in the attention of another. But, something about Joy was changing that little fact about him. Yes, she was beautiful without makeup or any hair extension but it wasn't just that. It was... it was something else... It had to be.

Dayo unconsciously leaned a little further towards her. The view of her face was much clearer and he wondered maybe, just maybe if he stared hard and long, he could figure out what it was that made him keep staring or maybe, he could get enough of it and thirst no more for it. His fingers itched, the tips to be precise and as if he'd lost control of his hand, it made its way towards her face. All it really needed was a light stroke of her brows and the itching would go away. He was close when her eyes unexpectedly fluttered open and met a pair of his. For the first few moments, he froze.

Adedayo was unable to think straight. He didn't have the time and acted on the very first thought that came to his mind. He withdrew his hand to his right eye and flinched in reaction, acting like a foreign particle just went into his eyes. Joy, who pretty much couldn't make out the situation from left to right, was left feeling a care towards him on the account that he might not be alright. She'd sat up on the bed just as he stood straight.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she stood up from the bed.

He nodded and tried to hurry away, embarrassed about the entire situation and his ridiculous lie.

"Are you sure? Let me see." Joy stated as she hurried to him before he could walk away. Adedayo wanted to avoid any further escalation of the situation by not letting her get close but Joy wouldn't give in. In fact, for the first time, he saw the determined side of her. One of her hands tried to reach for his eyes while the other tried to move his hand away from his eyes so she could have a better look.

"I-I'm fine." He said as he kept at avoiding her getting too close. Mostly, he was scared of her finding out nothing was wrong with him and that he'd put on this ruse to avoid having to explain why his face was that close to hers while she slept. If anything, he wouldn't like her to think he was a perve or some whacko. Really, anything but those.

Out of nowhere, she cupped his face in her hands and that made him still, surprised by her action.

"Be still. Let me help." She added and just like a charm, it worked. He was still and she moved her hands from his face to his eye. One hand held the upper lid and the other hand, the lower lid. Although she didn't see anything in it, she felt it best to rid him of it once and for all. Joy slightly stood on her toes and blew a light air into his eye. Dayo flinched a little, his lashes fluttering as well, involuntarily. His gaze was upon her, again, but this time, it was different. He wasn't just staring at her face. He was... slowly, he was becoming mesmerised. Her presence was close, closer than he would've preferred. Yet, a little part of him was being acceptable to the change.

Joy blew into his eyes once more and they fluttered again. "Better?" She asked before her eyes really met a pair of his which steadied with her. At some point or maybe in general, Joy didn't think a lot through. Really, she just wanted to help. He helped her by giving her a roof over her head and if ridding the dust or whatever that was in his eyes was the beginning of returning the favour then she was more than obliged to do so. Now, here she was staring back into his eyes and she could feel it. Something was different, not the usual normal. Between the two of them, it gets really awkward and uncomfortable more often than expected. Sure, he's a man and she's a woman and they're still in a huge way, strangers to each other but that shouldn't be enough to create a growing tension between them.

Should it?

Suddenly, he pulled away, taking a step and two behind as he lowered his eyes from hers. "Thank you." Dayo appreciated and without waiting for anything more, he turned away, walking out of the room faster than normal.

For a minute, Joy felt stranded and if anything, dumbfounded.

Adedayo stood in front of the sink in the kitchen, his eyes momentarily shut as he tried to gather his thoughts. He couldn't tell anymore what he was doing. Was he doing anything, actually? Maybe he knew why, maybe he didn't but Dayo was worried about his situation with Joy which naturally should be nothing. Yet, there was a worrisome feeling deep within, growing stealthily.

Dayo looked down at the used plate and cup in the sink. He'd tidied up the kitchen when he left this morning, leaving no plate in the sink. Without putting much thought into it, he began to wash the dishes. Joy walked into the kitchen while he was rinsing the cup and she halted by the entrance. She felt regretful. She should've been the one to do what he was doing. Those were her dirty dishes. After eating, it didn't feel like a routine for her to wash the dishes, and she left them there, not realizing this would eventually happen.

"Sorry." She apologised and he barely turned to her but now aware of her presence.

"It's fine. You're a guest." Dayo's words were simple as he finished up and cleaned his hands with a small towel.

"Still, I should help."

He was silent for a moment while his eyes, his head, his little body movements were clear indications of contemplation. Yet, his reply stood. "You don't need to worry about it. Truly."

Dayo walked past her, barely thinking about how close their bodies could've brushed just a few inches closer. He ventured back into the room, crouched beside the books on the floor close to the wall. His desire was to pick out one he hasn't read before, anything to keep this thoughts and mind in tranquility.

Joy followed and watched him silently at first. Then, she folded her arms below her chest.

"You read a lot of books." She stated the obvious and he nodded without looking at her. To be truthful, Joy would prefer a reply, more like a word than a nod from him. She was bored and going to sleep again wasn't an option. She could be quiet but she was exhausted from doing that. Joy understood conversing with him would help break the barrier of awkwardness and maybe change her belief of him being a stranger to her.

He stood on his feet, a book in his hand and was on his way towards the door. Joy believed he was heading to another direction so she stepped to the other side and behold, that was the side he chose.

"Sorry." She stepped back to the other side and so did he. She stepped back to the side and again, he did the same and sure she didn't plan this but it didn't change the fact that it had gotten slightly amusing to her. In the end, he held her by her arms so she was still and without a second more wasted, he walked past her and was out of the room.

A little grin appeared on her face. In all honesty, that was the most fun she has had in like... well since she could remember and which wasn't far long gone.

We're getting there. they're getting there. Remember, votes and comments are still appreciated.