After delivering his awkward attempt at humor, Abner was at a loss for words. In Shirley's presence, he always seemed to lose his

knack for conversation.

Shirley had intended to pass him sfood, as she had in the past, but a sudden realization stopped her cold; things between

them had changed too much to go back to the way they once were.

Silence descended upon the room.

Maja felt that lan's kindness wouldn't take long to repay. She touched her belly subconsciously, drawing lan's attention away from

Abner's failed joke. His concern was immediate.

"You okay?"

"Just a bit off. I need sfresh air," she said.

"Lethelp you."

Together, they stood and left the private dining room.

Their departure only heightened the awkwardness between Shirley and Abner.

He poured her another cup of tea, while she observed the long fingers that gracefully handled the teacup.

The first tShirley had seen Abner, he was lanky and pale, clearly malnourished. It had taken a year of care to nurse him back to

health.

without a word after final exams? Did my parents

"No."

this time, his fingers slowly

beca lump in his

out to ruffle his hair. Only after the gesture did

24-year-old man. Embarrassed, she quickly withdrew

that. Old habits, I guess. My parents were harsh back then, said spretty mean stuff before I could

contact, and you always seemed so busy. Whenever I called, it was your assistant

read your expressions. You were always hard to read, and I worried that I'd upset

practically had

his

his face, concerned she'd upset him by messing up his hair. Just as she was about to apologize,

He had a

about to ask what he

spotting Abner leaning in,

you got lice or something?" lan's brow furrowed in

at his side, clenched into a fist,

over to his seat, grabbed his forgotten phone, and headed out with a

the bill. Maja's feeling a

there, Abner would've hurled a bowl

What kind

tcalling over a waiter. He had the eerie feeling that every second counted, as if

him.

standing outside for air, watched

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