Aeris had just finished getting dressed when her phone rang. She was standing in front of her mirror, adjusting the strap of her bag, when the sound cut through the quiet of her apartment. She glanced at the screen.
Caelum.
Her heart did that small, annoying thing again. She picked up.
"Hello?"
There was a brief pause on the other end. Then his voice came, calm as ever.
"Good morning."
Aeris smiled faintly.
"Good morning."
Another pause. Not awkward, Just… him.
"I tried the food," he said.
She laughed immediately. "You did?"
"Yes."
"And?"
There was a slight shift in his tone. "It was… aggressive."
Aeris laughed again, louder this time.
"Aggressive?"
"I believe it attempted to harm me."
She covered her mouth, trying to suppress the laugh that escaped anyway. "It's not that bad!"
"It is," he replied plainly.
"You just don't have tolerance."
"I have tolerance," he said. "Just not for that."
She shook her head, still smiling. "You're dramatic."
"I'm being accurate."
She walked over to her bed, sitting down as the conversation settled into something easier. "Did you at least like it?" she asked.
There was a pause.
"Yes."
The answer surprised her.
"Really?"
"Yes." Another pause. "It was different."
Aeris softened slightly.
"Yeah."
He didn't elaborate. He never did. Instead, he shifted.
"What are you doing today?"
The question caught her off guard. She leaned back slightly against her pillows.
"I just… I just finished… uhm…work stuff."
He hummed quietly.
"And now?"
"I'm meeting Nyra."
There was the faintest change in his tone. "The one from the wedding."
"Yes."
"She's back?"
"Yeah," Aeris said, a small smile forming again. "She got back earlier than I expected."
There was a brief silence, Then he asked, "Where are you meeting her?"
Aeris adjusted her bag again. "She moved recently. It's about an hour from here."
"How are you getting there?"
"I'll walk."
The silence on the line this time was more noticeable.
"I'll take you."
The words came simply.
Aeris blinked. "You don't have to do that."
"I know."
That only made it harder to respond.
"It's fine," she said quickly. "I like walking."
"It's an hour."
"I don't mind."
Another pause.
"I can drive you." His voice was steady. Not forceful, Just… there.
Aeris hesitated. Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
"It's really okay," she said, softer now. "I've done it before."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Silence again. Then she added lightly,
"I might even enjoy it."
That wasn't entirely true. But it sounded better than the real reason. Another pause stretched between them, Then Caelum spoke again.
"Alright."
Just like that. No argument. No insistence. That made her chest feel tighter than if he had pushed.
"I'll talk to you later?" she said.
"Yes." "…Enjoy your walk."
She smiled faintly.
"I will."
The call ended.
Aeris stared at her phone for a moment longer than necessary. Then she exhaled softly and stood up. Grabbing her bag. Heading for the door. An hour walk. Maybe she really would enjoy it.Or maybe, She just wasn't ready to let him take her there yet.
Nyra had barely finished unpacking her suitcase when her phone rang. She was sprawled across her bed, half scrolling, half complaining to herself about how quickly a honeymoon could end. She didn't recognize the number, Still, she picked up.
"Hello?"
The voice that answered was bright. Polished. Almost too cheerful.
"Good afternoon! Is this Nyra?"
She frowned slightly. "Yes… who's this?"
"Ah, perfect," the voice continued warmly. "My name is Sugar."
Nyra blinked.
"…Sugar?"
"Yes," he said smoothly, completely unfazed. "I work for Mr. Rhaith… Caelum Rhaith"
There was a pause.
Nyra sat up.
"Oh."
Her tone changed instantly.
"I'm calling regarding your meeting with Aeris today," Sugar continued pleasantly.
Nyra's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity already blooming. "…What about it?"
"Well," he said lightly, "we'd like to make a small adjustment."
Nyra leaned forward.
"Adjustment?"
"Yes. Instead of meeting at your residence, you'll be meeting at a café much closer to Aeris."
Nyra blinked again. "Wait, what?"
"A car will be sent to bring you there," Sugar added.
Nyra stared at her phone.
"A car?"
"Yes."
"For me?"
"Yes."
She let out a small laugh.
"Why?"
There was a very brief pause on the other end. Then Sugar's voice dropped just slightly. stilll sweet, but now carrying something more knowing.
"Because Aeris refused a ride."
Nyra froze. "…she what?"
"She declined Mr. Rhaith's offer to take her," Sugar said, almost amused.
Nyra slowly leaned back against her pillows.
"Oh my God."
"So," Sugar continued, "he's decided to… adjust the situation."
Nyra let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. "He's serious?"
"Very."
"And he sent you to call me?"
"Yes."
"And a car is coming for me?"
"Yes."
Nyra covered her mouth, eyes wide. "This is insane."
Sugar chuckled lightly. "I prefer to think of it as efficient."
Nyra shook her head slowly. "That girl refused a ride… and now I'm the one being transported?"
"That would be correct."
Nyra laughed again, this time louder. "Oh she's going to hear about this."
"I assumed as much," Sugar replied pleasantly.
There was a brief pause. Then Nyra asked, curiosity slipping into her tone,
"So this is… what? His way of still getting her there comfortably?"
"Something like that."
Nyra smiled slowly.
"Oh, he likes her."
Sugar didn't answer directly. But there was a soft hum on the other end that felt like agreement.
"So," he said, smoothly returning to business, "should I confirm that you'll be available?"
Nyra didn't even hesitate. "Yes." Too fast, Too excited. "Absolutely yes."
"Wonderful."
"What café?"
"I'll send the details shortly. The car will arrive within the hour."
Nyra shook her head again, still smiling.
"This is unbelievable."
"Mr. Rhaith tends to have that effect."
Nyra laughed under her breath.
"Tell him thank you."
There was a small pause.
"I'll pass that along," Sugar said gently.
Then the call ended.
Nyra stared at her phone for a moment. Then she dropped it onto the bed beside her and let out a sharp laugh.
"Oh Aeris…" She stood quickly, already moving toward her closet. "You refused a ride?" Her grin widened. "And now I get one?" She shook her head, amused. "This man is dangerous." But she didn't sound worried, not even a little. Rather, intrigued.
She grabbed her phone, already grinning to herself, and opened Aeris' chat. Her fingers flew across the screen.
Nyra : You are actually insane 😭
Aeris : ?? what did I do now
Nyra : You refused a ride???
There was a short pause before the typing bubble appeared.
Aeris : how do you know that??
Nyra laughed out loud.
Nyra :Oh baby. HELLO MR RHAITH 💅🏽
Aeris : NYRA??
Nyra : Yes babe? Your man's secretary just called me 😭
Aeris : WHAT??
Nyra : Said I should change location. Anddddd A car is coming to pick ME up instead
Aeris: No way.
Nyra : YES WAY! Because someone decided to be independent and trek for one hour 💀 lmao
Aeris : I was not trekking 😭 I said I'd walk
Nyra : That is TREKKING
Aeris : It's not that far 😭
Nyra : AERIS.
Nyra shook her head, still smiling as she typed again.
Nyra : Anyway, We are not meeting at my place anymore
Aeris : Then where?
Nyra's grin widened.
Nyra : Scoop Swoop Repeat 😌
Aeris : Oh??
Nyra : Yes oh. Our spot.
Aeris : i haven't been there in so long
Nyra : Exactly! And now you're taking rich boy energy there again?? You're paying this time btw
Aeris : I knew this was coming 😭
Nyra : As you should.
Aries typing bubble didn't form this time.
Nyra : But fr… He did all that just because you said no?
The typing bubble appeared.
Disappeared.
Then came back.
Aeris : I guess…
Nyra stared at the screen for a second, Then smirked.
Nyra : Hmm. Anyway Be there in like 40 mins and Don't come looking homeless
Aeris : omg NYRA 😭
Nyra : I mean it. This is an official outing now. Mr Rhaith is indirectly sponsoring it
Aeris : You're so annoying
Nyra : And you love me
Aeris : …yeah I do
Nyra smiled softly at that. Then tossed her phone onto the bed and headed toward her wardrobe, still shaking her head. "Hello Mr. Rhaith," she muttered under her breath with a grin. "This is about to be interesting."