28

Alsen called Adrian over after reaching his home.

Adrian arrived at Alsen's doorstep in just under twenty minutes. He gently pressed the doorbell and held a beautifully arranged basket filled with an assortment of ripe, colourful fruits.

Alsen couldn't shake the feeling that it must be him as he glanced at his wristwatch, the second hand ticking away seemingly too slowly.

The nervous Adrian approached with a forced smile, his expression betraying both anxiety and anticipation as if he were about to reunite with a long-lost lover.

"Ah, you made it," Alsen said with a relieved smile.

"I rushed here as soon as I received your call," Adrian replied, the urgency in his voice evident.

Unspoken words hung heavy in the air as they exchanged looks. 'I even left Emily hanging as soon as I received your call,' Adrian thought to himself as they made their way into Alsen's house.

'If only you knew how much you mean to me.'