"Good night," L said with a smile.


    I sighed. The warmth and coziness of her home only made the emptiness of my


    new apartment feel even more stark in contrast.


    Whatever. It was time to head back.


    I pulled out my phone and ordered a cab. While waiting, I nced up at the building. That bodyguard L mentioned... Could he be some kind of stalker?


    I shook my head to force the ridiculous thought away.


    Just as I reached the entrance of theplex, I spotted a familiar figure.


    It was Alex. He was leaning against a sleek ck luxury car with a cigarette between his fingers. The moment he saw me, he stubbed out the cigarette and strode over. "Serena, we need to talk."


    I quickened my pace, pretending not to see him and silently praying he wouldn''t call out to me.


    But, of course, things never went the way I wanted them to. Within moments, he caught up and blocked my path.


    "Serena, we need to talk," he repeated, his tone making it sound like I was the one who had wronged him.


    I stopped and looked at him. "What''s there to talk about?"


    He let out a bitterugh. "I know you''re still mad at me, but—"


    "What would I be mad at you for?" I cut him off. "Some things happened, and that''s that. What''s in the past is in the past."


    Honestly, I was more curious than anything. What exactly was he trying to pull here?


    But he acted as if he hadn''t heard me. Instead, he continued, "I''ve been keeping an eye out for job opportunities for you. If you have any preferences, let me know."


    As he spoke, he pulled a business card from his pocket and held it out to me. "This is my friend''spany. The pay is good. You should consider it."


    I nced at the card. "Marketing Director, Slither Group."


    A coldugh echoed in my head. Oh, he was really pulling out all the stops, huh? Even offering me a job now?


    "No need," I said, pushing the card back toward him. "I can find a job on my own." "Serena." He softened his tone as if pleading. "I know you''re still upset, but..."


    "Stop right there," I interrupted. "Let me say it again—I''m not upset. Also, how do you know I live here?" My eyes narrowed.


    He hesitated for a split second, his gaze flickering before he quicklyposed himself. "I... just happened to be passing by," he said vaguely before shifting the subject. "Do you want me to drive yo@home? It''s gettingte."


    "No need," I refused without hesitation. "I already called a cab."


    Like I''d ever get in his car. Who knew what he was up to?


    He looked like he wanted to say more, but at that moment, my ride arrived.


    Without giving him another chance, I slipped into the back seat and told the driver, "Let''s go."


    As the car pulled away, I caught a glimpse of Alex standing under the streetlight, his figure looking somewhat lonely.


    I felt nothing but relief like I had finally shaken off a persistent headache.


    The driver was a chatty middle-aged man. He started with a rant about the questionable food at Asternè University''s cafeteria, then moved on to discussing which professors had the strictest attendance policies. I responded half-heartedly, my mind still stuck on Alex.


    After ncing at me a few times


    through the rear-view mirror, et


    in


    driver Resitated before finally giving his curiosity. "Miss, was that guy at the gate your boyfriend?"


    I snapped out of my thoughts and forced a smile. "No. Just a friend."