No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

He added me on WhatsApp, and honestly, it didn't come as a surprise.

Currently, we're in a work partnership, and there seems to be an endless stream of things we need to discuss every day. Communicating via WhatsApp makes everything a breeze.

But, I didn't accept his friend request right away. Instead, I shot a quick text to Fanny, which went unanswered—she's probably caught up in work again.

Opening up Dustin's chat, I pondered for a brief moment before typing out a reply, "Caught up in this theme park project. I'll show you around once it's off my plate."

After hitting send, I added, "Sorry."

Dustin was quick to respond, "No worries, just make sure you're taking care of yourself even if you're busy."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I was about to type out a simple "okay" when another message from him popped up. "I'll wait."

Those words made it suddenly difficult to send my intended response. So, I changed tack. "Not planning on heading back soon?" I asked.

Dustin replied, "Yeah, decided to stick around."

That caught me off guard.

A few seconds later, I texted him back, "Your folks must be thrilled."

I saw the typing indicator bubble on Dustin's end, but his reply seemed to be taking forever. Not one to wait around, I switched over to my emails, a habit ingrained in my work routine. However, after wrapping up all pending tasks, my inbox was eerily empty-a reminder that left me feeling unexpectedly hollow.

That's when Deborah came over, phone in hand. "Hey, have you seen this show? I've been bingeing it lately. The chemistry between the leads is incredible."

I glanced at her screen. The leads, both actors I liked, were in a particularly funny scene where the heroine has turned into a chicken and is furiously pecking at the amused hero.

So, I set aside my phone and joined Deborah for a show marathon, only for sleep to claim me before long. When I woke up, it was already morning. My internal clock woke me up at five, and there was Deborah, sprawled out in a way that showed too much, with her nightgown riding up.

I covered her up and checked my phone to find messages waiting a couple from Fanny and an unread one from Dustin: "What about you?"

I scrolled through our chat to find the context. He was asking if I was happy about him staying. What did his decision have to do with me?

His question seemed oddly personal for two adults just collaborating professionally, so I left it unanswered.

After freshening up and standing by

the window with a glass of water a light mist outside caught my attention. It wasn't thick enough to block the view, just a peaceful addition to the morning.

As I was about to stretch, a familiar figure jogging in the distance caught my eye. With his long strides and military posture, it could only be Ernest, the very vision of discipline and dedication.

A thought struck me-I hadn't accepted his friend request yet. I grabbed my phone and confirmed it, then got ready for a quick workout.

While changing, I applied the ointment Ernest had given me. No sense in suffering unnecessarily.

As I was about to head down for breakfast, intending to hit the theme park afterward, a message from Ernest popped up: "Got yourself a boyfriend?" So, he added me on WhatsApp, not for work, but to ask that?