KAIZA'S POV:
It's over.
It really is.
Then why doesn't it feel like it?
Everything ended yesterday.
…It ended?
A faint smile appeared on my face as I stood near the glass window of my office.
Sunlight streamed in, casting long shadows across the floor- too still, too quiet.
We're back to how it was.
And I feel it- not happiness, not emptiness…
Just peace.
A strange kind of peace.
The kind that settles after a storm…
when everything looks fine,
but nothing really is.
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As soon as the case ended, I went to Dad.
He was already waiting for me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
We didn't need to.
And just like that, we were back.
Like before.
Or at least… it looked like it.
"May I come in, sir?" my manager's voice broke the silence.
I turned around. He stood at the door, holding a stack of files.
"Yes."
"Sir, these are the files you asked me to check. Everything looks good. Anything else?" he said, placing them neatly on the table.
"Nothing. You may leave," I replied.
"Okay, sir."
He turned to go.
"Wait."
The word slipped out before I could think.
He paused.
"Organize a staff dinner tonight."
His brows furrowed.
Of course they did.
I've never asked for something like that.
"A staff dinner?" he repeated.
"I was clear already," I said, raising an eyebrow.
He nodded quickly. "Right away, sir."
As he left, I exhaled slowly.
Why did I say that?
…Maybe because silence feels louder today.
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The day passed faster than expected.
Now we were at the restaurant.
Voices filled the space- laughter, chatter, glasses clinking.
They were talking about me.
About how I gave them a treat out of nowhere.
And apparently… for the first time.
Maybe I should do this more often.
Maybe I should have done this earlier.
"Sir! You should join us too!" someone called out.
I don't usually sit with them like this.
I almost refused.
But then again…
This moment won't come back.
So I nodded and joined them.
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For a while, I just listened.
Watched.
People laughing freely. Talking without hesitation.
No pressure. No expectations.
Just… normal.
I leaned back slightly.
This is what it looks like, huh?
A life without chaos.
A life where things simply move forward.
And yet-
For a brief moment…
It felt like something was missing.
I couldn't name it.
Didn't try to.
I just let the thought pass.
Maybe peace isn't supposed to feel full.
Maybe it's supposed to feel like this-
quiet, steady…
And a little incomplete.
JAFFER'S POV:
The case is over.
It's been a day, but I haven't received a single message or call from Kevin.
I'm going insane.
He hasn't even replied to my texts.
But wait…
After the hearing, she asked me to drop her friend home- like nothing happened.
Did he tell her?
If he didn't… then why did he call her to meet?
Ugh.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Kevin.
Finally!
Kevin - Let's end this.
Me - What?
Kevin - I've told her everything. Let's just step back. I don't want her to get hurt anymore.
Everything?
Me - Everything?
Kevin - …Some things.
Silence.
Me - So this is it?
Honestly…I'm glad he said it first.
I didn't have to explain anything.
He didn't reply.
Me- You're right. Let's end this. I'm not coming between them anymore. You shouldn't either.
Seen.
Of course.
So… it's over.
Finally.
I should move on.
Let her be happy with him.
She was never mine anyway.
But how do I forget?
I remember everything-
Every small thing she told me…
The way she'd ruin my hair right after I fixed it…
And all of that was before I kept them apart.
Funny, isn't it?
After six years…
I'm still stuck on something that was never mine.
…Enough.
I can't stay like this forever.
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I was sitting in my living room.
Alone.
A bunch of photos lay scattered on the table.
I picked them up- every single one that had her in it.
And walked straight to the fireplace.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
But I had decided.
No turning back.
I closed my eyes and dropped them into the fire.
At first, it felt wrong..
And then… I broke.
Tears slipped out before I could stop them.
I wiped them quickly and cleared the table.
That's it.
Let's go out.
No overthinking. Not tonight.
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I walked aimlessly.
Didn't even realize when it was already 12:06 AM.
I should head back.
On my way, I saw her- Ash's friend.
She looked… overwhelmed.
It's late.
She shouldn't be out.
I walked up to her.
"What are you doing here? It's late."
"Nothing… just felt uneasy. Came out for some air. You?" she asked.
Right… same apartment.
"Same," I replied.
"But it's not safe for you to stay out this late."
"I know. But I don't feel like going back. You can leave if you want."
…I didn't want to go back either.
So I stayed.
------------------------------------
Silence stretched between us.
"You look sad. Did something happen?" I asked.
"…If you want to share."
She paused.
"…I had a breakup. It's been months… but I'm still not over it."
That explains it.
"Oh. You'll be fine."
"Maybe. What about you?"
"…I just got rejected."
"You? Rejected?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah… can't I?"
"No, I mean, you seem like someone who has everything."
Exactly.
Everything… except what I wanted.
"I guess… I wasn't meant for her," I said.
She nodded.
"So… what happened between you two?" I asked.
Her expression hardened.
"He cheated."
Yeah… that kind of pain doesn't leave easily.
----------------------------------
We talked for a while.
Then she got a call.
Ash.
Late.
But she didn't seem panicked.
The call ended after a few minutes.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah. Just her husband. He came home late… she was worried."
I nodded.
…Of course.
She left.
And so did I.
ASTHERIEN'S POV:
He came home late.
Not drunk.
Just… quiet.
Too quiet.
That was worse.
"You're late," I said, standing near the door.
He looked at me.
Tired. Distant.
"Work," he replied shortly.
I stepped closer.
"You didn't call."
"I was busy."
Simple answers.
Short.
Like he was avoiding something.
Or someone.
Me.
I didn't push.
Didn't ask more.
Instead, I walked past him and placed a glass of water on the table.
"You should rest," I said softly.
He didn't move for a second.
Then he sat down.
I turned to leave-
But his hand caught my wrist.
I stopped.
"Stay."
Just one word.
Low. Almost tired.
But real.
I sat beside him.
Close… but not too close.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
The silence wasn't heavy.
Just… unfamiliar.
It just felt....uneasy.
"You were worried?" he asked suddenly.
I looked at him.
"…A little."
He let out a quiet breath.
Then leaned back, closing his eyes.
"I'm fine."
I didn't believe that.
But I didn't argue either.
After a few minutes, his head tilted slightly, resting against my shoulder.
He didn't move away.
Neither did I.
Carefully, I adjusted so he wouldn't wake.
Maybe this is what we are now.
Not perfect.
Not the same as before.
But still here.
Still… trying.
I stayed like that until he fell asleep.
And for the first time in a while,
The silence didn't scare me.