rateful to escape the awkward silence. They gathered their bags and stepped

. Anderson called, wa

ey walked over. Mr. Philips stepped forward to help with their

ys!" Mrs. Philips

Anderson asked as they lo

ed, his tone cheerful des

stole one last glance at Time. He hoped Time would let the m

emaining luggage. The compound was bathed in the soft glow of porch lights, welcoming them back home. The Philips led the grou

e living room. Kornel and Time placed their bags near the stairs, ready to sort the

round the dining table. They laughed, talked about their college experiences, and savored the meal, the evening filled with a sens

hospitality and began to head back to their own house. A

onight? Like old times?" Time asked

oked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh... not tonight, Time. I thi

... okay," he said, trying to hide

ange feeling in the pit of Time's stomach. But he forced a smil

unpacked in silence, placing his clothes neatly into the wardrobe and organizing

is mind, the way Time had looked at him, the way he had spoken those words-"I love you, Kor

l talking? What if Time didn't mean it? He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. After a while, exhau

ings but found himself unable to relax. The thought of Kornel refusing to let him stay over was gnawing at him.

ime murmured

e together what had happened after he'd gotten drunk. He remembered the games, the drinks, the laughter-but everythin

He replayed Kornel's words from the bus ride earlier. 'You didn't, dear. If you had, I'd tell you.' K

his hair. "What if I did do someth

ing Kornel was keeping from him. He sighed, lying back down and pulling the covers over himself. Despite

something had shifted between him and Kornel. Determined to talk to Kornel and figure things out, he headed straight to the Philips house. He walked up to the

Kornel's in his room," she said,

as he made his way upstairs to Kornel's room. He knocked

me

n, seeing Kornel standing by his d

wanted to come over to our place for breakfast like we usually do?" H

one a little distant. "I'm going with my dad to his company. He wants to show me around so I can sta

ng heard the conversation. He smiled warmly at Time

Time replied. "I'm

ompany now. It's about time he starts getting involved in the business. I'll be handing it over to him soon enough

but part of him had hoped for a different kind of morning. He understood, th

y disappointment in his voice. "Well, if you need

el, who gave him a reassuring smile. "We'll ca

ly shut him out. He left the room, heading to his house to find his mom, who was preparing breakfa

breakfast in a flask, making sure to include everything he would nee

with a smile, then walk

. Philips were about to leave for the company. Ti

Time said, offering it

ks, Time. You didn't have to, but I app

his father left, then headed back to his own house, feeling a

ind kept drifting back to Kornel. He tried to focus on applying for jobs-mainly looking for c

. Philips had also gone out to buy a few things she needed. The da