"Oh..." The driver dragged out his response, clearly unconvinced. "A ''friend'' would drop you off at the entrance like that? The way he was looking at you―tsk, tsk, it was like he wanted to devour you."


    Feeling a bit ufortable, I shifted in my seat and mumbled, "Really, he''s not. We... used to be ssmates."


    "ssmates, huh?" the driver repeated meaningfully, then studied me again through the rear-view mirror. "Miss, you''ve got an air about you. I bet you were one of the campus belles back at Astern University, huh?"


    His scrutinizing gaze made me uneasy. I brushed it off. "Not at all. Thanks for the praise."


    "Ah, young people these days. Rtionshipse and go so fast." He sighed beforeunching into a monologue. "Back when I was courting my wife..."


    As he started reminiscing about his own love life, I groaned silently.


    Great. Looked like there was no escaping this gossip session.


    I responded absentmindedly here and there, all the while trying to figure out how


    to end this awkward conversation as soon as possible.


    Thankfully, the ride wasn''t too long. Soon enough, the car pulled up in front of my apartment building.


    I quickly paid the fare and practically bolted out of the car, throwing a quick


    "Goodbye" over my shoulder before rushing into the lobby.


    Standing in the elevator, I let out a long breath. Finally, I got some peace.


    Back home, I unlocked the door in the dark. The apartment was pitch-ck and silent. A strange unease crept up my spine.


    I suddenly remembered what L had said about those home burries. My back tensed with a chill. No way... Could it really be happening now? Mom was still at home.


    I swallowed nervously and carefully shut the door and double-locked it. Then, I fumbled for my phone and turned on the shlight. A weak beam of light illuminated the entryway.


    I moved cautiously into the living room-it was empty.


    The only light came from the faint glow seeping through the curtains.


    My anxiety grew. Did someone really break in?


    Tightening my grip on my phone, I held my breath and tiptoed toward Mom''s room. When I reached the


    door, saw a sliver of warm yellow I light spilling from underneath. Relief washed over me. She was home.


    I knocked lightly. "Mom, it''s me."


    "You''re back." Her weary voice came from inside.


    "Yeah." I then switched on the living room lights. The warm glow immediately chased away the darkness and my fear. "You scared me. I thought no one was home."


    Mom stepped out of her bedroom in her pajamas, her hair loosely tied back. "How


    was the apartment?" she asked with concern.


    I pulled her onto the couch and told her all about my day of apartment hunting-leaving out L''s news about recent burries and, of. course, the unexpected run-in with Alex didn''t want her to worry. There was no need for her to know about the mess between me and him.


    "I''ve settled on a ce," I said. "When do you want to move?"


    "Tomorrow," she said, sounding exhausted. "I''m too tired today. I''ll help you pack in the morning."


    "Alright. Get some rest."


    We said our goodnights, but as Iy down, a strange emptiness lingered in my chest.


    ...


    The next morning, I was jolted awake by a message from L.