"Go ahead and get some sleep; I need to have a quick word with him."


    Just as ra began to slip out of bed, she felt his arms wrap around her waist, holding her back. "Don''t go."


    His voice was low and had a touch of sadness, like something was weighing on him.


    ra was a bit puzzled but kept her tone calm and steady. "Z, you should get some rest."


    He slowly released her, lying back down without a word, his face half-buried in the nket. It was hard to tell if he was upset or just lost in thought.


    ra couldn''t help but feel a tug at her heartstrings. He had a knack for that.


    She had nned to head out and catch up with Simon, but now she just couldn''t bring herself to leave. Instead, she snuggled back into bed.


    "Feeling a bit down? You seem a little off tonight," she asked gently.


    Z turned to face her, pulling her into a tight embrace. ra couldn''t quite figure out what had upset him so much, but she could feel his need to be close.


    She was wide awake, having taken a nap earlier, so she decided to indulge in some light-hearted gossip with him.


    "Z, let''s chat for a bit. Tell me about your life. Is anyone giving you a hard time at the club?"


    "No one''s giving me trouble," he replied quickly, then paused before adding, "At least, not anymore."


    It seemed like he had been through some rough times before.


    ra turned to him, yfully poking his chest. "Really? You''re quite the tough guy now, huh?"


    Her words were teasing, and he caught her finger with a quick reflex. "You''re the only one who dares."


    ra felt a bit wronged. When had she ever given him a hard time?


    Just as she was about to close her eyes, he said, "Tell me about your job, your boss, your colleagues."


    "My colleagues aren''t worth mentioning. As for my boss, he''s pretty cutthroat." As soon as she said "cutthroat," the atmosphere got a little tense.


    ra, oblivious, snuggled closer to him. "We''re from different worlds. I even dreamt of him at the hospital this afternoon and woke up in a cold sweat."


    He looked at her, silent for a long time.


    By then, ra had closed her eyes, but she felt arge hand rest on the back of her head, followed by a passionate kiss.


    He loved deep kisses, the kind that left thempletely entangled.


    But she wasn''t a fan, feeling like she was giving up all control, left hanging in mid- air.


    "Z..."


    She gasped for air, resting against his chest.


    It wasn''t the first time she sensed he had a heavy heart, but he never shared, and


    she never pressed. Everyone had their secrets.


    The next morning, when she woke up, he was already gone.


    Opening her room door, she was surprised to find Simon stumbling in.


    If ra didn''t have a strong heart, she might have screamed.


    Simon had been sleeping against the door and now scrambled to his feet. "ra! Are you feeling better? I rang the doorbellst night, but you didn''t answer, so I figured you were asleep."


    ra looked him over, her tone slightly amused. "Did you stay here all night?"


    Simon nodded, circling her. "I''m just d you''re okay. I thought maybe you hadpany and couldn''te to the door."


    So he had camped out all night, but there was no sign of anyone else.


    Inside, everything was just as it should be. It seemed his imagination had run away with him.


    ra, not in the mood to deal with him, pulled out her phone and sent Z a text.


    [Did you see someone at the door when you left?]


    How had he managed to dodge Simon?


    [Yeah, he was out cold, like a log. Even kicking him didn''t wake him up.]


    ra chuckled. Z had a knack for yfully teasing Simon.