Chapter 4

Nate's POV

Nate's phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling him out of a pleasant dream. He reached over, squinting at the screen. It was a text from his boss: "Nate, just a reminder, your leave is almost over. We miss you and need you back at the office next week."

He sighed and glanced at Allyson, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him. They had just started to settle into their new reality, and now he had to figure out how to break the news about his imminent return to work.

As he got up to make coffee, Allyson's phone rang. She groggily reached for it, blinking at the screen before answering. "Hello?"

Nate watched as her expression shifted from sleepy confusion to concern. "Yes, I understand. I'll be there as soon as I can," she said before hanging up.

"Is everything okay?" Nate asked, bringing her a cup of coffee.

"There's an emergency at work," Allyson explained, taking the mug gratefully. "They need me back in a few days. I was planning to take more time off, but it seems I can't."

Nate sat down beside her, feeling a mix of relief and worry. "I just got a message from my boss too. My leave is almost over, and I need to go back next week."

They looked at each other, both processing the coincidence of their situations. "So, what do we do?" Allyson asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Nate took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We'd figure it out together. But first, I think, we should head back to town, find a comfortable place to live, and make it work."

Allyson's POV

Allyson felt a wave of relief wash over her. Nate's calm and supportive demeanor made everything seem so easy. "Okay," she said, nodding. "Let's do it."

They packed their things and called Kelvin, who arrived with his convertible to drive them back to town. As they loaded their bags into the car, Allyson felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about the journey ahead.

Once on the road, Allyson snuggled up against Nate, resting her head on his shoulder. The wind whipped through her hair as they cruised along the highway, and she felt a sense of freedom and happiness she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Kelvin's POV

Kelvin glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Nate and Allyson cuddled together, looking blissfully happy. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Seeing his best friend so in love made him wish for the same in his own life.

"How are you two holding up back there?" Kelvin called out, trying to keep his tone light.

"We're great!" Nate replied, grinning. "Thanks for driving us, man. We really appreciate it."

"Anytime," Kelvin said, genuinely meaning it. "I'm happy to help."

As they drove, the three of them shared stories, made silly jokes, and laughed together. Allyson pulled out her phone and started taking selfies, capturing their fun-filled journey. They posed with exaggerated expressions, trying to outdo each other's ridiculous faces.

"Come on, Kelvin, smile for the camera!" Allyson called out, turning the phone toward the front seat.

Kelvin flashed a big, cheesy grin, and they all burst into laughter. The miles seemed to fly by as they enjoyed each other's company, the anxiety about their looming work responsibilities was momentarily forgotten.

Nate's POV

Nate felt a deep sense of contentment as they drove along, he felt Allyson's warmth against him and was glad to hear Kelvin's laughter filling the car.

As they neared the city, Nate turned to Allyson. "Ready to start looking for our new place?"

"Absolutely," Allyson replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

Kelvin pulled up to the first real estate office they had researched, and they all got out of the car, ready to embark on this new chapter of their lives. The day was filled with apartment tours and discussions about what they wanted in their new home. Some places were too small, others too far from their jobs, but they remained optimistic and kept on looking around.

Allyson's POV

Eventually, they found a charming apartment that felt just right. It was spacious enough for both of them, with a cozy balcony overlooking a small park. They Instantly signed the lease, 

That evening, they stood on their new balcony, watching the sunset together. Allyson leaned into Nate, feeling his steady heartbeat against her.

"This is perfect," she whispered.

"It really is," Nate agreed, kissing the top of her head. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to our new life together."

Kelvin joined them with a bottle of champagne, popping it open to celebrate. "To new beginnings," he toasted, holding up his glass.

"To new beginnings," Nate and Allyson echoed, clinking their glasses together.

Nate's POV

Just as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Nate's phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number. Frowning, he answered it.

"Hello?""Nate, it's Rachel," a familiar voice said, her tone was urgent. "We need to talk. It's about Allyson. There's something you need to know."

Nate's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a cold chill run down his spine. "What is it?" he asked, his voice steady but filled with concern.

"You need to know the truth about her," Rachel continued. "It's important. Meet me tomorrow. Alone."

Nate's mind raced with questions, but before he could respond, the line went dead. He turned to Allyson and Kelvin, forcing a smile to hide his unease.