the condo after her shift at the pet shop. Amy was concerned about Cinnamon, her Shih Tzu, who hadn't been eating much lately due to an appare

nique readily agreed to check on Cinnamon. Before stepping out of her car, sh

sit Amy's place and the reason behind it. Joshua's thoughtfulness was one of the many qualities she cherished in him.

her sling bag, locked her car with the remot

ewhat disheveled bun. Feeling a bit too lazy to redo her hair, she accept

es gaining entry. Monique hastened her pace upon spotting the elevator doors

or promptly responded to her plea, pr

mile, she exclaim

d the individual who had halted the elevator doors. S

cal twins, she immediately identified him as Joshua's sibling due to the stubble gracing his jawline, something J

iently queried as she hesitated at the entrance. She

e 9th floor, where her friend's unit was located. She glanced back at her companion, waiting for him

end. However, she didn't want to rush things in her relationship with Joshua. She preferred that Joshua be t

. Even though she couldn't see him, she could stil

suddenly halted, and the lights inside flickered out. Darkness engulfed the small space, and

voice. His warm breath brushed against

ance. "Th-thank you," she stammered s

f the elevator made it difficult to see him clearly. "What happened?"

e close to her. Monique took a step back fr

er sling bag and activated its fla

the sudden illumination. Monique quickly redirected the light away

rked, her face contorted in mild frustration. She had hoped to call Amy to inform her about their pre

levator soon enough. It's usually their top priority," Ja

nger on it, but she suddenly felt self-conscious under his gaze, as if he could see right through her. She subtly averted her gaze. From

ning against the elevator wall as they both waited for the power to be restored. She stole anot

ok this opportunity to study him. He undeniably resembled Joshua in an uncanny way. Their posture, their facial features, and even their voices were

alled his name

she could see his dark eyes focused on her. She figured he probably wasn't surprised that she knew

red in his deep

quire about it. She remembered the wounds he had sustained when he fell, and cons

ately. "It's already hea

oming to my aid the other night." She expressed her gratitude for his defense against the rude man at the bar. She

tone voice. "You also helped me when I had my accide

noticed the way he was scrutinizing her after speaking.

ve here?"

and she raised an eyebrow in re

r head. "No," she replied.

ught their conversation had concluded, but to her surprise, he pose

rom the elevator as it resumed operation, she turned off her phone's fla

d not exited yet. She saw him still standing inside, his gaze locked on he

hrugged and cont