Arin's mind was filled with questions.
Too many questions.
But despite everything—
He said nothing.
He walked back to Aaika and handed her the tablet silently.
Aaika looked at him carefully.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," Arin replied quietly.
And before she could ask anything else—
He walked away.
Aaika stood there, confused.
Something had changed.
She could feel it.
But she couldn't understand what.
The birthday party ended soon after.
Before leaving, Arin said,
"I'll be away for some time. My phone might be unreachable."
Aaika simply nodded.
"Hmm."
But inside—
Her thoughts were restless.
He read the diary… didn't he?
Then why is he acting so cold?
Why didn't he say anything?
For the first time—
Aaika felt nervous because of someone's silence.
Two days passed.
No calls.
No messages.
Nothing from Arin.
Aaika tried finding out where he was.
Eventually, she learned that he was staying alone at his father's penthouse.
Meanwhile—
Arin sat near the large glass window of the penthouse, lost in thought.
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
"If she really feels that way… then why didn't she say anything?"
He couldn't stop thinking about it.
The diary.
The words.
Her smile.
Everything felt real.
Too real.
Suddenly—
The penthouse door opened.
Ravier walked in casually.
Arin looked shocked.
"How did you even get here?"
Ravier dropped onto the couch dramatically.
"Your phone has been switched off for two days. And whenever you disappear like this, it means something's wrong."
Then he looked at Arin carefully.
"So. What happened?"
Arin stayed quiet for a moment.
Then finally spoke.
"You remember that girl you met?"
Ravier immediately replied,
"Which one? The abnormal—"
"She's not abnormal," Arin cut him off sharply.
The sudden irritation surprised even him.
Ravier blinked.
Then slowly smirked.
"Ohhh…"
He leaned back comfortably.
"I know this disease."
Arin frowned.
"What disease?"
"Loveria."
Arin glared at him.
"Shut up."
Ravier laughed.
"Wait… don't tell me you actually like her?"
Arin looked away.
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it?"
After a long pause, Arin finally said,
"I found her diary."
Ravier instantly sat properly.
"WHAT?"
Arin ignored the reaction.
"She wrote about me in it."
Ravier stared at him in shock.
"She WHAT?"
Arin sighed.
"She didn't say it directly… but the meaning was obvious."
"What did she write?"
Arin hesitated.
Then quietly replied,
"She said… she feels different with me. Better. Like I'm more than just a friend."
For two seconds—
Ravier just stared at him.
Then suddenly grinned.
"Well then tell me one thing…"
He stood dramatically and pointed at Arin.
"When should I bring the wedding procession?"
"Ravier," Arin said seriously.
"Okay okay sorry," Ravier laughed. "Continue."
Arin leaned back slowly.
"I don't understand anything anymore."
Ravier crossed his arms.
"Simple question. Do you love her?"
Silence.
Arin froze.
Expressionless.
Because for the first time—
He didn't know the answer.
Or maybe—
He did.
And that scared him more.
To be continued…