She really shouldn''t have brought up the piano.
Thankfully, Forrest didn''t pursue the subject. If he had, she was afraid she might have lost herposure right then and there.
After taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, she finallyy down and tried to sleep.
But her rest was anything but peaceful that night. In the early hours, her rm roused her, and she immediately went to wake Julian.
She''d already consulted with a doctor about his sleepwalking. If a child''s episodes tend to happen at the same time every night, it''s best to gently wake them before that hour, keep them up for a bit, and then let them go back to sleep. Over time, this routine could help.
Fighting off her own exhaustion, she yed quietly with Julian for a while. Only after three in the morning did they both crawl back into bed.
The next morning, Forrest was nowhere to be seen at breakfast. Since moving in, this was the first time M hadn''t found him at the table. Curious, she asked Howard, the house steward.
"Mr. Sinir had something urgente up at work," Howard replied.
Since it was just a work matter, M didn''t think much of it. After breakfast, she took Julian to the studio to continue her daily design work and to teach him how to draw.
That afternoon, as Howard brought in tea, he hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Ms. Suthend, may I ask a favor? It''s about Mr. Sinir."
M agreed immediately, without a second thought. "Of course. Please, go ahead."
She owed Forrest so much, yet never knew how to repay his kindness. If there was anything within her power to do, she would dly help.
After a brief pause, Howard nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Ms. Suthend. It''s nothing major, really. But you may have noticed-Mr. Sinir is always buried in work. It''s been this way for years. He rarely takes a moment to unwind. My words don''t seem to have much effect, but you...perhaps you could asionally coax him away from his work. Even a bit of fresh air would do him good."
M had noticed, of course. In the first few days, she''d often run into Forrest around the house, but now she only ever saw him in the mornings. He workedte into the night, every night.
A true workaholic.
But he always seemed so at ease, never showing any signs of exhaustion in front of her. She''d assumed he simply enjoyed his work. Back in college, when Forrest threw himself into software projects, he''d work day and night, barely stopping for anything.
Still, she knew that keeping up this pace for years couldn''t be healthy.
Now that Howard had brought it up, M agreed without hesitation.
...
No sooner had she made up her mind than she acted on it. Without waiting for evening, she called Forrest right away. He picked up almost instantly.
"What is it?" His voice was warm, low, and calm.
"I wanted to ask if you''re free the day after tomorrow," M said. "There''s an art auction I''m nning to attend, and if you have time, maybe you coulde with me. Afterwards, we could take Julian out to the countryside for a bit of fresh air."
Her aunt had already arranged the funds she needed for the auction, so M had every intention of going. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy a change of scenery.
There was a brief pause on the other end. Forrest seemed uncertain. "It depends. I still haven''t confirmed the next meeting time with the Federal Security Bureau, but I''ll do my best."
"Of course, whatever works for you," she replied.
Then, unexpectedly, Forrest chuckled. "This is the first time you''ve invited me out since we reunited. I''ll make sure to find the time."
M, a little flustered, hurried to end the call.
Even after hanging up, she felt a bit dazed. Maybe it was her imagination, but Forrest seemed much more direct now than he''d been seven years ago-less reserved, maybe even a little...assertive?
But people change with time. The Forrest she''d known in college was brilliant, gentle, and always somewhat reserved. Seven years in the world of business and ambition could change anyone''s character.
Still, one thing hadn''t changed: that enduring gentleness of his.