"Hahaha! So he ended up helping you both?" Julius laughed as he walked alongside Ashley and Lucian.
His laughter settled, and he turned to Lucian with a smile. "I'm glad to hear you're doing fine."
Ashley and Lucian studied Julius, who looked like he hadn't slept in days. While the couple appeared fresh-faced with their futures suddenly looking up, the dark circles under Julius's eyes made him look like an oversized panda.
"Thank you," Lucian said, nodding at him.
"Julius, are you alright?" Ashley asked. "You look like you desperately need sleep."
"Ahh… is it that obvious?" Julius laughed, then sighed in the same breath. "I know. I really should."
A cloud of gloom settled over him as his thoughts drifted back over the past few days. He was exhausted. Disappointed. And above everything else, frustrated.
Ashley and Lucian exchanged a glance. Lucian shrugged while Ashley leaned toward him and lowered her voice.
