Chapter 2

Alex's demeanor from earlier was so natural, it was as if the previous incident had never occurred. So, I guess he's not upset anymore, right? Feeling relieved, I got up to wash the dishes.

I’ve never been fond of cooking, but I have an odd fascination with collecting beautiful plates and genuinely enjoy washing and organizing them. This is where Alex and I complement each other perfectly. Our interests align, and our daily routines balance each other out; we're the ideal couple. So, how could everything come to a halt over something so trivial?

With this thought, the earlier gloom completely lifted. Cheerfully, I tidied everything up and began unpacking the parcels, arranging our home little by little. The once neutral-toned space gained festive decorations, becoming lively and welcoming. I was thoroughly pleased and couldn’t resist snapping a few photos to share on Facebook. Almost immediately after I posted, someone liked it. Judging by the profile picture, it was someone familiar, but only virtually; we haven’t met face-to-face.

Two years ago, Alex took me to his alma mater for an anniversary event, and I ended up adding many people on WhatsApp. She must be one of them. I remember her distinctly because whenever I post, she’s usually the first to like it, as if she’s always on Facebook. Her posts are also quite distinctive.

She once shared that she and her ex were so compatible that after breaking up, they decided to remain casual friends with benefits. Anytime either wanted company, they’d reach out, regardless of the distance, and the other would promptly arrive. She mentioned once going on a business trip and casually sharing the hotel name; her ex drove overnight to see her. I found it fascinating and quietly kept tabs on their reunion saga.

However, her posts gradually became a bit too provocative for my taste, so I tweaked my settings to avoid seeing them. This reminded me of the packages Alex received today. Curiously, I disabled the block and clicked into her profile. Three hours ago, she shared:

"Tonight, I'm playing nurse, sweetheart."

"Feeling under the weather, need some TLC."

"Image."

Goosebumps ran down my skin, compelling me to retreat before freezing in place. I reopened the post and enlarged the image. The bottom left corner showed a blurred silhouette against a floor-to-ceiling window. The figure bore a striking resemblance to… Alex.