Jane sat in her office, engrossed in reading the manuscript. Her concentration was broken by a gentle knock on the door. Suraya, her trusted confidante, peeked her head inside, wearing a warm smile.

"Coffee... coffee," she whispered, understanding the kind of day Jane had been having without a word being said. Suraya had a knack for reading Jane like her favorite magazine. That's why she was someone Jane could always rely on.

"How's the manuscript?" Jane held up the pages in her hand. Suraya gasped in awe, but her smile quickly returned. Trailing a man like Yura Black was no easy task, yet Jane seemed to have a smooth journey with him. He didn't put up a fuss or complain.

"I'm impressed. But... I'm still a bit concerned," Suraya admitted.

"There's nothing to fear about him. I find him rather intriguing, just like his novel," Jane replied confidently.

"I've never seen him act so nice before," Suraya stammered slightly. Her words caught Jane off guard, and she looked at Suraya with a puzzled expression.

"What's wrong with him not being an asshole?" Jane probed, trying to understand Suraya's reaction. Before Suraya could respond, Jane's assistant entered the room, holding a bouquet of roses in her arms.

"Miss Klein, these are for you," she said, presenting the flowers to Jane. Jane accepted them with delight. The bouquet was beautiful and evoked a sense of romance. Just looking at it made Jane feel happy.

David used to send her flowers like this.

Could it be that he was back to his old self?

"How romantic!" Jane sheepishly remarked, setting the flowers aside.

"Now, where were we?" she turned her attention back to Suraya.

"Oh... Mr. Black not being an asshole..."

"Yes, exactly. What's wrong with him not being an asshole?" Suraya gulped, struggling to find the right words. But she knew she had to speak up for her own peace of mind.

"Maybe... Mr. Black likes you," she finally managed to say.

"Well, that's great! It makes my job easier!" Jane responded with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"I mean... maybe he fell in love with you!" Suraya exclaimed, her words echoing in Jane's mind. The idea seemed preposterous to Jane, and she burst into laughter.

"That's absurd! He didn't and won't fall in love with me! You're worrying too much, Suraya. He's just being kind, maybe he's changed? Perhaps he's become more mature, taking his future seriously," Jane dismissed Suraya's thoughts as mere speculation. She couldn't entertain the notion that Yura Black could have any romantic feelings for her.

"Please, Jane, consider it seriously. He was overjoyed when he found out you were going to be his new editor. And he never invited his previous editor to his house. He despised the idea! Don't you think there's a chance he might have some feelings for you?" Suraya pressed, her words provoking a sense of amusement in Jane.

"Alright, I'll humor you and keep it in mind. Maybe you've been reading too many romance novels. I might assign you to read horror manuscripts in the future," Jane chuckled, finding the idea too far-fetched to take seriously.

"I'm leaving now. Just be cautious not to fall for him, Jane. I know how delicate your heart is right now. I don't want you to make any mistakes," Suraya warned before exiting the room.

Jane couldn't deny the fragility of her heart, like thin ice on the verge of cracking. With David's indifference, their relationship seemed to slip away from her grasp. She gazed at the bouquet, contemplating its significance.

David still loves me. Perhaps he's just caught up in his work.

She reached for the card nestled among the flowers, her heart fluttering with anticipation. Dialing David's number, she began reading the card's message, her hopes soaring.

"Hope this will cheer you up..."

Before the call could connect, she abruptly ended it.

The bouquet. It wasn't from David.

And in that moment, her heart sank, heavy with disappointment.

***

She stepped into a house devoid of life, just as she had grown accustomed to. Emptiness had become her constant companion over the past few weeks, a presence she had reluctantly embraced.

Walking past the pool, memories flooded her mind, reminding her of moments once cherished. A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she hurriedly ascended the stairs. The bedroom door swung open, revealing a bed that held bittersweet recollections. Her fingertips grazed the soft, silky bedsheets, evoking a yearning for the times when she and David would nestle together, cocooned in their warmth. Now, all that remained was a chilling void.

Once again, the hollowness enveloped her, leaving her adrift in a sea of emotions.

Unable to endure another moment within those walls, she found herself propelled by an overwhelming impulse. With a hasty toss of her bag onto the office floor, she snatched the keys to her motorbike and hastened away from the desolate house.

***

"Another refill?" the bartender offered, glancing at her expectantly. With a nod, she accepted the glass of water, an unfamiliar choice for someone who had never been drawn to alcohol before. Yet, here she was, finding solace in the ambiance of this bar, her thoughts muddled and direction uncertain. Lost and confused, she grappled with her own actions.

"Jane?" a voice broke through her reverie, jolting her from her contemplation. Turning around, she found him standing there, hands casually tucked into his pockets, as she had anticipated.

"Hmm," she sighed, avoiding direct eye contact and focusing on the bartender instead.

"Rough day?" he inquired, concern lacing his words.

"Yes, work overload," she replied, taking a sip of her water.

"Yet, just plain water," he remarked, signaling to the bartender.

"The usual for me, and a Cosmo for the lady," he ordered, assuming a familiarity that caught her off guard.

"No need. I don't drink," she dismissed, causing Yura to gaze at her in astonishment.

"Are you sure? What about high school? College years?" he probed, curiosity piqued. Jane simply chuckled.

"Studying, always studying. My dad would have had my head if I strayed from the path. Besides, I needed to stay in shape for judo, and socializing wasn't a priority in college. So..." she trailed off, meeting Yura's gaze.

"Every day presents a chance to discover more about you."

"Yes, let's call it Jane 101," she responded, a hint of melancholy clouding her expression. The term held significance from her initial encounters with David, and now, it resurfaced.

Suddenly, Yura's question cut through the air, striking a nerve. "So, I assume you're still a virgin?" His audacity pushed Jane to give him a dismissive look. He had crossed a line, encroaching upon her boundaries, and she didn't take kindly to it.

"I have a boyfriend. What did you expect?" she retorted calmly, unwilling to engage in a shouting match or stoop to his level.

"Who knows... it's all part of Jane 101," he mused, a smirk playing at his lips. Jane studied his reaction, observing as his expression shifted into a frown.

"You don't seem like someone in a committed relationship. If that's true, you should probably be at home by now," he remarked, savoring his drink slowly.

"That's why I have to go and confront my relationship head-on," Jane declared, determined to take action. She couldn't prolong her stay any further. With a heart as delicate as glass, she couldn't afford to take any risks. It had already shattered once, and she knew it could never bear the same pain again.

Yet, as she made her way out, Yura's hand gently closed around her wrist, his eyes locked onto hers.

"If you ever need someone..."

"Please don't offer yourself to me. Just... please," she pleaded, pulling her hand away, torn between the warmth she felt in his touch and the loyalty she owed to another.

No matter what, I must remain faithful. Be patient, my heart. David will return to me!

Brushing away her tears, she set out on the drive back home.