After a nice- long shower and a quick breakfast, I started my usual, simple morning skincare routine. Just as I was halfway through, my phone buzzed. It was Lyka calling, and I already knew she have something to say about my message.

I answered, and her voice blasted through the speaker. “Oh my god, Moriah! You fell asleep at Evan’s place?!”

Laughing, I propped my phone on the counter and started looking for an outfit. “Yeah, we were working on that track he needed. I must’ve passed out in his room; I didn’t even realize I was that tired.”

“Oh, girl, you’re holding out on me!” Lyka’s voice was practically vibrating. “Details! Now!”

I smiled to myself, settling on my bed for this one. “Alright, alright! Last week during that outdoor shoot, we ended up talking around the bonfire, you know? Reminiscing about that camp ten years ago. All those random memories…it was like we were back there for a second.”

Lyka sighed so hard I could feel it. “Stop, I’m melting. This is adorable.”

“Wait, there’s more!” I found myself grinning as I talked. “Two weeks ago, we actually went out for dinner, its not date-date. I don't know, it just happened. Then he asked me why I stopped talking to him online, I finally told him the reasons why, and he said he felt disconnected too. Like, he thought he lost me as a friend.”

There was a loud, dramatic gasp. “Moriah! He actually said that? Oh, this is too cute! He missed you!”

“Sheeesshh!” I exclaimed, trying to hide all the flutters aound my cheeks. Then I finally got dressed and sat in front of the mirror, just staring at my reflection like I needed a reality check.

“And then last night, he came over, I actually told him because I have important thing to give to him. But I really didn't mean for him to come to soon-soon, but he really came that soon! I ordered takeout before I even knew he will come at my place, and we watched a movie while eating dinner. Somehow, he convinced me to help him work on that music track until late. We just kept working until I fell asleep.”

Lyka squealed. “Girl, he’s making all this effort to you. Tell me he’s not doing this for anyone else?”

“I dont know, Lyka…” I murmured, fingers brushing my face. I could barely believe it myself.

“Moriah,” Lyka’s voice softened, like she was trying to make a point. “He’s for sure into you!”

I chuckled, taking one last look in the mirror. “Let's not jump into that so fast.”

I was still talking to Lyka, lost in our conversation, when I noticed a notification pop up on my phone screen lying in front of me. It was a message from Evan: “Where are you?”

“Oh shoot!” I blurted out, realizing I was supposed to be heading back. “Lyka, I totally lost track of time! I gotta go.”

Lyka practically shrieked. “Oh no, no, no, you don’t! You’re ditching me for him again?” I could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Come on, I promised you all the details. I’ll call you later with everything, and we are working! Remember that.” I said, grabbing my things in a rush.

She sighed dramatically. “Fine, but I want every single detail later, okay?”

“Deal!” I laughed, hanging up and quickly gathering the rest of my stuff. I took one last look in the mirror, feeling my heart race a bit.

As I hurried up to Evan’s gate and pressed the doorbell, I half-expected Evan to answer but instead it was Maya, who opened it with a knowing grin.

“Well, look who’s back.” she greeted, eyes sparkling with that teasing look. “Ready to make yourself at home again?”

I blushed, unsure how to respond but she just waved me in. “Come on in, Moriah!”

As I stepped inside, I noticed the kitchen counter was covered in different dishes: salads, snacks, all kinds of appetizers. It looks like a mini feast in the making.

“Whoa, what's all this for?” I asked, looking at the spread.

“Ah, it’s Thursday—Girl’s Night Bible study,” Maya replied. “We eat dinner, do a bit of spiritual check, then play board games until late.” She looked at me with a smirk. “You should join us! Unless Evan’s got other plans for you tonight…” Maya added with a smirk.

Before I could respond, Maya’s eyes drifted behind me, and I turned to see Evan stepping out of the hallway. He had just come out of the shower, topless with tiny drips of water on his chest, wearing only a pair of black house shorts, a towel hanging around his shoulders as he rub dry his hair. My brain short-circuited for a second. He was totally relaxed, completely at ease… and definitely hadn’t noticed I was already here.

“Evan!” Maya called out, hands on her hips. “Do you really have to walk out here like that every time Moriah is here?”

He looked up, caught off guard. “Didn’t know she's here already.” he muttered, glancing my way with a quick nod before turning back to Maya with an arched brow, as if to say, Happy now?

“Oh, sorry!” I quickly said, heat rising to my cheeks.

He just shrugged, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I’ll be back in a second. Just need to grab a shirt, and then we can get back to work.”

As Evan headed to his room, I took a deep breath to steady myself and turn to Maya, who looked like she was holding back laughter. I offered to help with the food, figuring it was a good distraction.

“Sure!” Maya handed me a cutting board and some veggies, chatting about her Bible study group and what they had planned. “But seriously, you should join us later,” she added with a wink. “Only if Evan lets you go, of course!”

I smiled and nodded at Maya, trying to sound casual. "I’ll see if I can join you guys later, once we’re done with the second track.”

“Good!” she replied, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as she leaned closer. “Now, spill. What’s going on between you two? You can’t tell me there’s nothing.”

I glanced over my shoulder, half-checking to make sure Evan wasn’t nearby. “Maya…” I whispered back, “there’s nothing going on, really. I don’t want to overstep or… you know, make something out of nothing. I’m just a friend helping with work.”

Maya tilted her head, unconvinced. “Oh, come on, Moriah! You’re not just a friend. Other girls have thrown themselves at him, and he never pays them any attention. He’s a closed book with almost everyone. But you—he invited you into his world, even to his room. That doesn’t just happen.”

I felt a flutter of something—hope, maybe—mixed with disbelief. “He’s probably just being nice, Maya. Treating me the same way he treats everyone else.”

She shook her head, a playful glint in her eye. “No way. Trust me, I know my brother. He’s not like this with just anyone, and if you’re doubting it, remember: he brought you here to work with him. That’s a first. Honestly, Moriah, I think you’re the only person he even consider letting into his process.”

I opened my mouth to respond, caught between surprise and a surge of nerves, when I heard Evan’s voice coming from down the hall.

“Moriah? Everything’s set up, so we’re good to go,” he called out.

I straightened up, giving Maya a soft, uncertain smile before heading down the hall to join Evan, her words still replaying in my mind. Was she right about all this?

“Come check this out!” Evan called the moment I got inside to his room, he was hunched over his laptop adjusting settings on the mixing software.

I walked over, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach. He looked so focused, so alive. “What do you have for me?”

He turned the screen toward me, revealing a wave of sound pulsing rhythmically. “I was thinking we could layer some of your vocals over this beat. It’s got a different vibe than our last track, but I think it could really work.”

I leaned in closer, my heart racing at the sound. “I love it! It feels so… alive. What did you have in mind for the lyrics?”

“I was actually thinking if you could put some about chasing dream, since the project we all working is about it, you know?” he said, tapping his fingers on the table as the beat resonated in the background. “Like the journey we’re on right now.”

His words sent a thrill through me. “That’s perfect. I’ve had some lines floating around in my head. Let me just grab my notebook.”

As I fished through my bag, the moment felt electric. I couldn’t help stealing glances at Evan while flipping through pages filled with my thoughts—words that were often too raw to share.

“Okay, here we go,” I said, finally finding a page. “How about starting with something like ‘In a world where dreams collide, I’ll find my way to you’?”

His eyes lit up. “I love that! It has a sense of hope and determination.” He leaned closer, his excitement palpable. “Let’s try recording it. Just go for it, and we’ll see how it fits.”

I took a deep breath, nerves tightening my stomach, but I couldn’t let them show. I stepped infront of the mic, feeling the isolation wrap around me like a comforting blanket. As I put on the headphones, the beat pulsed through, matching my heartbeat.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Evan called, his voice warm and encouraging.

I nodded, closing my eyes and letting the music envelop me. The words flowed naturally, my voice blending with the beat, echoing the emotions I felt. The first take felt exhilarating, a release of everything I had been holding back. When I finished, I pulled off the headphones and stepped back into the main room, breathless.

Evan was grinning, his eyes shining with admiration. “That was incredible! You captured everything perfectly.”

Warmth flooded my chest at his praise. “Thanks! I was nervous, but it felt good.”

“Let’s do another quick take for the backround voice.” he suggested, moving closer.

I nodded, my heart racing again. “Okay, I’ll try.”

As we recorded again, I poured every ounce of feeling into my voice. The lyrics took on new meaning, resonating with the weight of my own dreams and struggles. Each line felt like a conversation between us, a bridge connecting our worlds.

After we finished, Evan leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. “I think we’ve got something special here.”

I grinned, excitement bubbling inside me. “I can’t wait to hear it all together!”

But as the euphoria of creativity surrounded us, I couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of tension. The actress from the studio crept back into my mind, a shadow dulling the brightness of our collaboration. Had I been too focused on my photography to notice how close they were?

“Are you okay?” Evan’s voice broke through my thoughts, concern etching his brow. “You seem a bit distracted.”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine! Just… thinking about how to perfect this track.”

He studied me for a moment, and I could see the concern etched on his face. “If something’s bothering you, you can tell me.”

Taking a deep breath, I decided to take a chance. “It’s just… with everything that has happened before, I feel a bit afraid. I don’t want to lose this." I gaze at hime feeling my eyes is starting get clouded with tears.

Evan’s expression softened, he rolled his chair near infront of me and held both my hands. “You won’t. I promise, Moriah."

His words wrapped around me like a warm embrace that I can't even move an inch. “Okay,” I whispered.

"Do you hear that?" he asked, smiling.

I listened, and sure enough there were voices outside, a mix of laughter and chatting that was unmistakably a group of girls. It was Maya’s Bible study group.

Evan chuckled. "I think we’ll have to take a break. The girls’ noise levels won’t let us get much recording done."

I laughed, realizing he was right. "Yeah, I’ll go join them for a bit. Maya told me she were having some friends over."

Evan nodded, giving me a casual wave as I left the studio to join Maya and her friends. When I walked out, I was greeted by a lively group of new faces, each one more welcoming than the last. The Bible study time passed quickly, filled with laughter, shared verses, and stories. After a few hours, we had snacks and dinner laid out in the living room, everyone relaxed and chatting. The room buzzed with happy energy.

Suddenly, as we were talking, Evan came out from his room maybe drawn by the laughter. Maya immediately spotted him and waved him over. "Come on, Evan! join us! We’re about to play UNO."

He hesitated, holding up his hands. “I don’t think so. I’ll just grab some snacks.”

I couldn’t resist. “What, are you afraid you might lose?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He smirked, grabbing a couple of snacks off the table. "Alright, you’re on!" he said, dropping into a chair with a playful challenge in his eyes.

Everyone cheered, and we all settled into the game. The first round was intense—cards flying, reversals, and skips thrown back and forth. It stretched on for nearly thirty minutes before it was just Maya and Evan, both down to their last cards. It felt like the whole room held its breath as they played their final hands. After a few suspenseful moments, Maya slammed down her last card, crowning herself the winner with a victorious shout.

I couldn't help but laugh, watching her celebrate while Evan shook his head in mock defeat.

But Maya wasn’t about to let him off easy. She turned to him with a mischievous grin. "Evan, since you lost, you have to do the consequence!”

Evan rolled his eyes, but there was a playful reluctance in his voice. “Come on, Maya. Let’s skip the dare this time.”

“No way,” Maya insisted, her smile widening. “You’ve gotta call the last person you contacted today.”

The group cheered, clapping and laughing, and Evan’s face flushed just a bit. He looked around, clearly hoping for an out, but everyone’s eyes were on him. With a sigh, he pulled out his phone, scrolling to his last contact, then hit the call button.

As soon as the ringing started and people realized it was coming from next to me, a curious silence filled the room. Then, the girl beside me picked up my phone, glancing at the screen with wide eyes. “Whose phone is this?” she asked, smirking when she saw Evan’s name lighting up.

Maya’s eyes widened in surprise, and she gasped dramatically. “Wait… is that Moriah’s phone?”

There was a moment of dead silence, and then a chorus of teasing sounds filled the room, all aimed at me and Evan. Everyone started to laugh, and a few playful whistles rang out as if we’d been caught in some secret.

Evan, looking perfectly unbothered, simply dropped the call with a shrug. “Relax, everyone,” he said, his voice smooth. “Moriah and I were just working on a project. That's all.”

But his calm reasoning only seemed to fuel the teasing. Someone clapped their hands together, grinning. “Ooh, a ‘project’!” Another one gasped dramatically, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, sure, ‘just a project,’ we believe you!”

Everyone burst into laughter, the teasing hitting a new level, but I couldn’t help joining in, feeling that warm flush in my cheeks again. Evan just smirked, shaking his head at the group’s antics.

****

The hours had flown by, and one by one, Maya’s friends started saying their goodbyes. The house was finally quiet as the last of them left, leaving just me, Evan, and Maya. I turned to Maya with a smile, grateful for the warmth she’d shown.

“Thank you so much for tonight, Maya. Everything was perfect, especially the food.”

Maya grinned and waved it off. “Anytime, Moriah! You’re always welcome here.”

As I started to say my goodbyes, Evan cut in. “Wait up,” he said, standing and grabbing his jacket. “I’ll walk you home.”

I hesitated, trying not to make it obvious that his offer made my heart race a little. “Oh, that’s okay really.” I said, but my voice was drowned out as Maya nudged his shoulder, laughing.

“Go on already!” she urged, winking at me as if she could see right through me.

I thanked her once more before Evan and I head out into the cool night air, taking the quiet street that led back to my apartment. The walk was comfortable, with only the soft crunch of our footsteps filling the space. As we rounded a corner, he glanced my way. “Thanks for today, Moriah. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Same here.” I replied, then added, “And… thanks for the call during the game. I didn’t expect it to be me.”

He chuckled, glancing sideways at me with that familiar teasing look. “Why would I call anyone else?”

I laughed, a little too loudly, and then the silence between us stretched comfortably again—until I found myself blurting out, “Um… I want to ask… Did Jessica went to visit your mom yesterday?”

The question came out clumsily, and I could feel my cheeks heating up. Evan stopped in his tracks, looking genuinely taken aback. “Jessica? Why would she go there?” he asked, still processing my question.

“Yeah, sorry. I overheard Carlos mentioning  to her that you're out from work since it's your Mom's birthday and he thought you're doing your traditional visit to her grave, she asked him about it." I muttered, looking away. “Apparently, she wanted to send her condolences gifts, and she kept pestering Carlos to tell her where you were.”

For a moment, Evan just stared at me. He then shook his head, smiling. “No, Moriah. I wasn’t there yesterday. It was my mom’s birthday, but… after couple of years, I learned to let go. I stay home now and celebrate her quietly. It’s what she would have wanted.”

Relief washed over me, warm and quiet, as we resumed walking. I didn't realize how much the idea of him being with Jessica bothered me, and yet, I didn’t know how to tell him that.

Evan’s voice suddenly broke into my thoughts, soft but steady. “Were you… worried about Jessica?”

His question lingered between us, and I felt my throat tighten, words slipping away. I looked down, avoiding his gaze as we reached my apartment building.

I turned to open the gate, ready to step inside, but then his hand wrapped around mine, gentle yet firm. He pulled me closer, close enough that I could feel his heartbeat, the quiet rise and fall of his chest against me. His face was just inches away, his eyes searching mine as one hand moved up to rest on my head, his fingers threading softly through my hair. His voice lowered and spoke quiet reassurance.

“Don’t worry about Jessica, okay?”

I stood there, completely spellbound by the closeness, every inch of me alive with the warmth of his touch. I didn’t dare move, didn’t want to pull away. For that single, breathtaking heartbeat, it felt like the world had faded, leaving only the two of us in the stillness.