The next morning felt… different.
Not because anything had changed.
But because something had.
Alicia stood in her studio, flipping through her sketches.
But her focus wasn't the same.
Her mind kept drifting.
To last night.
To his voice.
To the way he said her name.
She sighed softly.
"Focus, Alicia."
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Lina stepped in, smiling gently.
"Breakfast is ready, ma'am."
"I'll be down soon."
Lina hesitated slightly.
"Mr. Alejandro is still here."
Alicia looked up.
"He didn't leave?"
"No, ma'am."
That was new.
Downstairs, the dining room felt less empty.
Michael sat at the table, reading something on his tablet.
He looked up as she entered.
A small pause.
"Good morning."
Alicia blinked slightly.
"…Good morning."
She sat across from him.
Maria placed a cup of tea in front of her.
"Thank you."
Silence followed.
But not the same kind as before.
This one felt… lighter.
"You didn't leave early today," Alicia said.
"I had less to do this morning."
A pause.
"That's rare."
"Yes."
Alicia took a sip of her tea.
Then, without thinking
"You don't have to leave early every day."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Michael looked at her.
Carefully.
"Are you asking me to stay?"
Alicia froze.
"I didn't mean it like that."
"How did you mean it?"
She hesitated.
Then looked down at her cup.
"I just meant… you don't always have to work."
A small silence followed.
Then Michael said quietly
"I prefer to."
Alicia nodded.
"Of course you do."
Across the room, Sophie leaned against the doorway, watching.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
"Are you going to keep staring," Adrian's voice came from behind her, "or say something?"
Sophie turned sharply.
"Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Appear."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"You're easy to find."
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Back at the table
Alicia stood up.
"I have work to do."
Michael nodded once.
"So do I."
As she walked away…
He watched her.
Just for a second longer than necessary.
In the studio, Alicia dropped onto her chair.
"What is wrong with me…" she muttered.
She picked up her pencil.
Then paused.
Then picked it up again.
Her designs began to shift.
Softer lines.
Warmer shapes.
Something new.
Something… unfamiliar.
Later that afternoon
The living room was far from quiet.
"You cannot be serious," Sophie said.
"I am," Adrian replied calmly.
"You think you're always right."
"I usually am."
Sophie scoffed.
"You're impossible."
"And yet, you keep talking to me."
Alicia walked in mid-argument.
"Should I come back later?"
"No," Sophie said quickly. "Stay. I need support."
"For what?" Alicia asked.
"For proving he's annoying."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You don't need help with that."
Alicia laughed softly.
But her eyes shifted
Michael stood near the doorway again.
Watching.
"You observe too much," she said to him.
"It's useful."
"For what?"
"For understanding people."
A pause.
"Do you understand me?" Alicia asked
Michael didn't answer immediately.
His gaze stayed on her.
Longer than usual.
Then
"Not yet."
Something about that answer…
Stayed with her.
That evening, the house settled again.
Quiet. Calm.
But no longer distant.
Alicia stepped into the hallway, holding her sketchbook again.
She paused.
Two doors.
Two separate spaces.
This time…
She didn't look away immediately.
Then she turned
And walked toward her room.
Inside, she sat on the edge of her bed.
Thinking.
Not about escape.
Not about regret.
But about something else.
Something new.
Something uncertain.
Something slowly… growing.
And somewhere across the hall
Michael stood still for a moment longer than usual.
Before closing his door.