Anya, feeling a bit helpless, admitted, "I didn't even realize there was something wrong with my laptop. I couldn't find many of the icons and didn't want to bother you, so I tried downloading some software myself, following online tutorials to fix it." But the more she downloaded, the slower her computer became. It wasn't even two years old, and she didn't use it for gaming or binge-watching series. Yet, here it was, barely functioning, with even the cursor lagging.

Mr. Calder instructed a servant, "Please make a pot of tea; it looks like we might be here a while."

The servant hurried off to fulfill the request.

Once Leo had everything adjusted, Anya tested it out and, to her delight, exclaimed, "Chad, it's perfect now!" She found herself looking up to the young man with admiration.

Mr. and Mrs. Calder found themselves inexplicably warming up to Leo.

Before leaving, Leo made sure to double-check Anya's computer from top to bottom, only leaving once he was satisfied it was fixed.

Anya followed him out, insisting on walking him to his car.

When they reached it, she opened the passenger side door and got in, out of habit.

Leo was taken aback, but he chuckled, "Chad, I can walk you to the door."

As they approached the main entrance, Leo looked at Anya, who was still inside the car, and she pointed ahead, "Just up to the crossroads there."

"If you keep escorting me, you'll end up taking me all the way to the Cedillo family," Leo joked.

Anya looked down, feeling a bit upset. Slowly, she reached for the door handle, opened the door, and got out.

Leo watched her every move, finding it hard to leave.

Standing at her front door, Anya waved at Leo.

gearstick, looking through the window at the girl he could just drive away from. Yet, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Anya looked

her and extended his arms; Anya understood immediately

of youth, the thick sweetness between lovers,

want you to go," Anya said, nestling

Anya's waist and the other around the back of her head, giving her a secure hug, "How about I come to see you next month?" Anya nodded within his embrace,

Leo felt the same. He cupped her face in his hands, bent down, and kissed her right at the

tongue against her lips, blushing as if it was their

until she slightly resisted his advance with her tongue, prompting Leo to slowly ease his grip. They were barely apart by five

pulled her

Anya's reddened

around, remember you have a girlfriend. You should avoid getting too close to female colleagues. If someone asks for your contact info out of the blue, make sure you refuse." Leo nodded

down, noting the

asks for your contact, wanting to pursue you, tell them to come to me. If you miss

his car. This time, her goodbye wave was more vigorous, almost as if she was

no longer see her. Then, he pulled over, changed his profile picture on his phone, and headed towards the highway. Standing at her doorway, Anya covered her mouth, "Why did

phone, checked her reflection, and saw her lips, red and slightly swollen. Looking around sheepishly, relieved that the street was empty, she coyly covered her lips and hurried back inside. "Mom, Dad, I'm home!" "Ahh, Mom, Dad, Chad's

even realize when

...

settled, Mia, in the car, was multitasking between holding her baby, Henry, and chatting. Henry, however, was not cooperating, grabbing at his mom's clothes as if

fingers flying over the phone screen, sending messages he couldn't

texted, "Is Leo's new profile picture one he took secretly

day when Anya was studying in the living room,

profile picture had always been a subject of teasing. "You really should change your profile

picture was no longer a subject of

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