Morning didn’t feel like a new beginning.
It felt like something she had to survive again.
A thin line of sunlight slipped through the curtains, resting across the room—on the bed… the open drawer… the pill strip… and the girl lying on the cold floor.
Nyra’s eyes opened slowly.
Heavy.
Distant.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
Didn’t think.
Didn’t remember.
Just lay there… staring at nothing.
Then—
It all came back.
The street.
The fear.
The memories.
Her chest tightened slightly, but not like last night. Not as violent.
Just… there.
A quiet reminder.
“…morning…”
Her voice came out dry.
She pushed herself up slowly, her body weak, her muscles sore as if she hadn’t rested at all.
Because she hadn’t.
Not really.
She leaned against the bed, closing her eyes for a second before forcing herself to stand.
Her legs felt unsteady.
But she didn’t stop.
She couldn’t.
—
Nyra walked to the mirror.
And stopped.
Her reflection stared back at her.
Pale.
Eyes red and swollen.
Dark circles deeper than before.
She looked like she hadn’t slept in days.
Maybe she hadn’t.
For a long second, she just stood there.
Then she reached out, touching her cheek lightly.
“…you’re fine,” she whispered.
The same lie.
Every morning.
She splashed cold water on her face—once… twice… again—until her skin felt numb.
Better.
Or at least…
Less visible.
She tied her hair, changed quickly, and picked up her bag.
Her hand paused at the drawer.
The pills.
She hesitated.
Then closed it.
Not now.
She couldn’t rely on it every time.
—
The café bell rang as she entered.
Noise.
Voices.
Movement.
Everything felt too loud after the silence of her house.
“Morning, Nyra!” Alen called out.
She nodded faintly. “Morning.”
He looked at her properly this time.
And frowned.
“You don’t look okay.”
“I am,” she replied quickly.
Too quickly.
Alen sighed. “You always say that.”
Nyra didn’t respond.
She moved behind the counter, tying her apron.
Work.
Focus.
Distraction.
Orders started coming in.
Coffee.
Bills.
Trays.
Her hands moved on their own, muscle memory taking over. For a while, it helped. The rhythm of work kept her grounded.
But her mind wasn’t fully there.
It drifted.
Back.
Always back.
—
The door opened.
Nyra didn’t look immediately.
But she felt it.
That shift.
That presence.
Her fingers slowed.
Then stopped.
She looked up.
Adrian.
Standing there like he didn’t belong in a place like this.
Like darkness had stepped into something too ordinary.
Their eyes met.
And just like that—
Everything around her faded.
She looked away first.
Why is he here again…?
He walked in slowly.
Felix behind him, hands in pockets, already observing everything with quiet amusement.
“Well,” Felix murmured, “you really like this place now.”
Adrian ignored him.
His attention was somewhere else.
Someone else.
—
Nyra focused on her work.
Ignored him.
At least she tried.
But his presence felt… heavy.
Like it filled the entire room.
“Order?” she asked when he reached the counter, her voice controlled, eyes not meeting his.
“Black coffee.”
She nodded, turning away immediately.
“Anything else?” she added.
A pause.
Then—
“You didn’t sleep.”
Her hand stilled.
Just for a second.
Then she continued.
“That’s not part of the order.”
Felix smirked slightly. “You walked into that one.”
Adrian didn’t react.
Nyra placed the cup in front of him.
“Here.”
But he didn’t take it immediately.
“You look worse today,” he said quietly.
Nyra looked up this time, irritation flashing despite her exhaustion.
“Do you always start conversations like this?”
“Only when it matters.”
“And why would it matter to you?”
A pause.
Then—
“It just does.”
Her jaw tightened.
“I have work to do.”
“Then do it.”
“I am.”
“Not well.”
Felix chuckled softly. “You two are exhausting.”
Nyra ignored him, turning away quickly.
“Nyra, table four!” Alen called.
“Coming!”
She moved fast.
Too fast.
—
Adrian watched her.
Every movement.
Every hesitation.
Every time her hand paused slightly longer than it should.
“She’s not okay,” Felix said quietly.
“I know.”
“Then stop pushing.”
Adrian didn’t answer.
He picked up his coffee.
But his gaze never left her.
—
Hours passed.
Nyra worked without stopping.
Without resting.
Without thinking.
Because thinking made it worse.
Finally—
Her shift ended.
She untied her apron, placing it down.
“I’m heading out,” she told Alen.
“Take care,” he said softly.
She nodded.
And left.
—
Outside, the air felt different.
Cooler.
Quieter.
But the feeling didn’t leave.
That same one.
Like someone was watching.
Nyra wrapped her arms around herself and started walking.
Toward the library.
—
A few steps behind—
Adrian followed.
Not close enough to be seen.
But close enough to never lose sight.
Felix walked beside him, hands in pockets.
“You’re not even hiding it anymore.”
“I am.”
“Not really.”
Adrian’s eyes stayed on her.
“She shouldn’t be walking alone.”
Felix glanced at him. “So now you’re her shadow?”
“If needed.”
Felix sighed. “You’re getting involved.”
Adrian didn’t deny it.
Because he already was.
—
Nyra reached the library and stepped inside.
The quiet hit instantly.
Familiar.
Comforting.
Safe.
At least… it used to be.
“Good afternoon,” she greeted softly.
“Afternoon,” Michael replied, looking up from the desk.
“You’re late.”
“Sorry.”
He studied her for a second.
Then nodded. “Go start your work.”
She moved toward the shelves, organizing books, her hands slower now.
Tired.
Drained.
—
The door opened again.
Nyra didn’t need to look.
She already knew.
Adrian walked in.
Like he had every right to be there.
Michael looked up. “Yes?”
“I need a book.”
“Ask the staff.”
Adrian’s gaze shifted.
Straight to her.
Nyra froze slightly.
Of course.
Why me…?
“Nyra,” Michael called, “help him.”
She closed her eyes for a second.
Then turned.
Walking toward him.
Again.
—
“You needed something?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“What?”
A pause.
Then—
“You.”
Her expression hardened instantly. “Be serious.”
“I am.”
“Book,” she said sharply.
Adrian took a step closer.
“You’re tired.”
She clenched her jaw. “You’re repeating yourself.”
“You’re ignoring it.”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
“It is.”
“No, it’s not.”
The tension rose again.
Sharp.
Familiar.
“I’m fine,” she added.
“You’re not.”
“I said I am.”
“And I said you’re not.”
Silence.
Their eyes locked.
Neither backing down.
—
Felix leaned against a shelf nearby, watching like it was entertainment.
“This again…” he muttered.
—
Nyra turned away suddenly, grabbing a random book and placing it on the table.
“Take it and leave.”
Adrian didn’t move.
Instead, he said quietly—
“You were shaking.”
Her breath hitched.
Barely noticeable.
But he saw it.
“Stop it,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s not a reason.”
She turned back, frustration breaking through.
“Why do you care so much?”
A pause.
A real one.
Then—
“Because I do.”
That answer—
It didn’t help.
It made it worse.
Nyra shook her head.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re hiding.”
“I’m done.”
She walked away.
Again.
Faster this time.
—
Adrian didn’t follow.
Not inside.
But his gaze stayed on her.
Unmoving.
—
Felix walked up beside him.
“You’re definitely getting obsessed.”
Adrian didn’t respond.
Because maybe—
He already was.
—
And Nyra…
She kept working.
Pretending.
Holding herself together.
Unaware—
That someone had already stepped into her life…
And wasn’t planning to leave.
" TO BE CONTINUED "
____________________________________________________________
Author's note..
Hey everyone 🙂 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
What do you think about Nyra and Adrian’s moments today? 👀
Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your thoughts 💌
See you in the next chapter!
Good bye 👋 👋 👋
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