Later that night, Lucy, Shelly, and Kiki chatted away until one by one, their voices faded into sleep. The tent grew quiet except for the soft, steady rhythm of their breathing.
In the middle of the night, Denial quietly slipped into their tent without a sound. His eyes found Shelly — fast asleep, her face relaxed, her breathing even. A few loose strands of hair had fallen across her closed eyes, and he gently brushed them aside. Leaning down, he pressed a light, lingering kiss against her cheek before silently slipping back out into the night.
The next two days of the trip passed in the same way — laughter, exploring, and shared moments — until it was time to return to their normal lives.
One afternoon, Lucy called Shelly and Kiki.
"Hey, you two, let's meet up sometime soon. I want to introduce my boyfriend to you."
Shelly grinned through the phone. "Oh, nice! The day after tomorrow is Sunday. Let's meet at a café. Bring him along."
And so, Sunday came. Lucy walked into the café with her boyfriend, Lin.
Shelly gave him a warm smile. "It's been a while since I last saw you. So, what have you been up to these days? Where do you work?"
Lin replied with an easy smile, "Actually, I own a shopping mall."
Kiki leaned forward. "Okay, but what do you really do for work?"
Lin chuckled. "I also have my own car showroom."
Kiki arched a brow and smirked. "Wow. So you're not the silly little brat I remember anymore. Well, that's good for our friend here. I was starting to think Lucy's luck in love had finally run out."
Lin only laughed awkwardly, not sure how to respond.
After chatting for a while, Lucy and Lin left together. Shelly was just about to head home when Kiki said, "Hey, wait. I'll come with you. My place is on the way — drop me off."
Shelly drove Kiki home first and then continued toward her own house. As she pulled up to her gate, she noticed Denial leaning casually against the wall, waiting.
She stepped out of the car. "You're here? What are you doing outside my house?"
"I came to see you," Denial replied with a small smile. "Were you out somewhere?"
"Yes, I was hanging out with friends," Shelly said. "Did you wait for me long?"
"Not really," Denial shrugged. "Maybe an hour."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! Why didn't you call me?"
"I did," Denial said, raising an eyebrow. "Check your phone."
Shelly quickly fished her phone from her bag and winced. "Oh… right. My phone was on silent. I didn't notice."
"It's fine," Denial said softly. "No big deal."
"Come inside," Shelly offered. "We can talk here instead of going somewhere else."
They settled in her living room. Mr. Herlen hadn't yet returned from the restaurant. While Denial waited, Shelly went to freshen up and then sat beside him.
"I have a good offer for you," Denial began. "If you want, you could work with me as a collaborator. The benefits would be the same for both of us."
Shelly smiled faintly but shook her head. "You know I've been working at my office for years. I'm happy there. It's not just about money — I chose this profession because I truly love it."
"In that case," Denial said, "you could join me part-time. You'd still get to follow your passion, but also earn enough to have your own home… live exactly the way you want. But it's your choice."
"Alright," Shelly replied. "Let me think about it and I'll let you know."
"Don't take too long," he said gently.
After talking a while longer, Denial left.
Barely half an hour later, Shelly's phone lit up with an unknown number. Thinking it was a wrong call, she ignored it — but it rang again. And again. Finally, she picked up.
A woman's voice spoke urgently on the other end.
"Is this Shelly Herlen?"
"Yes, speaking."
"Your father has suddenly collapsed. He's at KT Hospital — Ward No. 6, third floor. Please come quickly. The patient needs urgent medication, and there are documents you'll have to sign."
The words seemed to knock the ground out from under her feet. Her mind spun, her chest tightened.
Within minutes, she was in her car, driving as fast as she could to the hospital. She rushed to the reception desk, barely able to catch her breath.
"My father — Herlen — where is he?"
The receptionist quickly gave her the ward details, and she hurried toward the elevator, her heart pounding in her ears.
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