In the city of Blue,
Ember's leg was finally getting better. The proper rest she had been forced to take—thanks to Dylan's relentless nagging—had worked. He refused to let her move around, and even her parents had strictly forbidden her from leaving the bed.
Today, Ember had a doctor's appointment for her regular checkup. Her brother, Zen, was accompanying her. As they stepped outside the house, they unexpectedly ran into Zayne, who had just emerged from his home.
"Hey, doctor," Zen greeted him with a casual wave.
"Hello, both of you," Zayne responded with a polite nod.
Moving closer, he asked, "Where are you two headed?" His gaze lingered on Ember for a moment.
Zen answered, "She has a check-up today." His voice carried a hint of curiosity, wondering why Zayne seemed unaware of it.
Zayne's brows furrowed before he exclaimed, "Oh! Really? I almost forgot. But I'm actually on holiday from the hospital today. If you go there now, they'll probably reschedule your appointment."
Zen let out a relieved sigh. "Oh! That's great to know beforehand. It would've been such a waste to go all the way there just to find out. Thanks, Dr. Zayne."
Ember had remained silent throughout the conversation. While Zayne spoke with Zen, his eyes kept searching for her—glancing at her again and again. He noticed how she was deliberately avoiding his gaze, but he couldn't understand why.
Something had changed. Zayne wanted to talk to her—needed to—but how?
Ember finally lifted her gaze to him, her voice breaking the silence for the first time. "Zayne, how many days is your holiday?"
Zayne was caught off guard by her sudden question. "I… I'll be rejoining on Monday," he replied after a brief pause.
Ember sighed. "But I need to get my check-up before that. I'm starting college on Monday, and I need a medical certificate to justify my absence."
Zayne hesitated for a moment before offering, "I can do one thing for you. You can come with me to the hospital—I'll do a quick check-up, make your medical certificate, and then we can drive back."
Ember shook her head. "You don't have to."
He gave a small smile. "Actually, I'm moving my things here, and my house is on the way to the hospital. So it's really no trouble for me… if you're okay with it."
Ember glanced at Zen, seeking his opinion.
Zen shrugged. "I'm fine with it. You don't have anything else planned today except for the check-up, and it's important." Then Ember turned to him and asked, "Are you coming with us?"
Zen looked at Zayne, whose expression practically begged him to refuse. A smirk spread across Zen's face before he said, "You can go with him alone. I'll go play with my friends—just don't tell Mom, okay?"
Zayne felt a wave of relief wash over him. He would get some time alone with Ember.
Opening the passenger door for her, he gestured for her to sit. She slid into the seat and turned to Zen. "Don't go far from home. Tell Mom I'm going with Zayne for my check-up, and she can call me if she needs anything."
Before closing the door, Zen nodded. "Okay… but get back home early."
Just as Zayne reached for his own door, Zen's voice stopped him. "I did you a favor—don't do anything you'll regret later."
Zayne chuckled, shaking his head. "I won't."
With that, he got into the driver's seat, stealing a glance at Ember before starting the car.
Zayne started the car, and they drove in silence, the quiet tension hanging in the air all the way to the hospital.
In the hospital -
Once inside the examination room, Zayne performed a routine check-up on Ember. He made her walk a few steps to assess her progress, then had her sit down as he gently massaged the area of her injury, ensuring she wasn't in pain anymore.
He recommended a gel to help her scar fade and advised, "Try not to put too much stress on your leg."
Ember nodded. "Okay. So… can I go to college from Monday?"
Zayne glanced at her and replied, "You can. I'll make your medical certificate now."
While he was occupied with the paperwork, Ember began roaming around his office. She noticed there was only one framed photo on his desk. Picking it up, she examined it and asked, "This is your graduation picture, right?"
Zayne looked up briefly. "Yes."
Ember smiled softly. "Your mother is so beautiful."
Zayne's lips curved slightly. "Yeah, she is." But in his mind, all he could think was—you are more.
After finishing the medical certificate, Zayne turned to her. "Ember, if you don't mind, I need to stop by my home to pick up some stuff. Can you come with me? Then we can head back."
Ember shrugged. "I don't mind. Let's go."
At Zayne's Home -
They left the hospital, and Zayne drove to his house. As they arrived, he looked at Ember and said, "Stay in the car. I'll be back in a moment."
Ember nodded, watching as Zayne started loading large boxes into the trunk. She sat quietly, observing him work. He moved effortlessly, lifting the boxes with ease, his expression focused.
Just as he was about to close the trunk, a loud voice interrupted them.
"Zayne! Why don't you stay longer? How can you leave your old parents alone at home?"
It was his mother.
Zayne sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Mom, stop being dramatic. I already told you—I'll come here every day to have lunch with you."
Ember hesitated for a moment before deciding to step out of the car to greet her. But just as she did, Zayne's mother continued, "You're doing this because of that girl, aren't you?"
At that exact moment, Ember stepped forward, causing Cherine to pause. Her eyes lit up as she took in the sight of the young woman standing before her.
"Oh my! Who is this beautiful girl?" she asked, a warm smile spreading across her face.
Ember hesitated before replying, "Hello, ma'am. My name is Ember. I am…" She trailed off, unsure of how to define her relationship with Zayne. Was she a friend? A patient? A neighbor?
Zayne's eyes met hers as if silently urging her to say something. Taking a breath, she continued, "I'm Zayne's friend."
Cherine's face brightened. "So, you're his friend? I'm Cherine, Zayne's mother. You can call me Aunty."
Ember smiled. "Okay, Aunty."
Cherine's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Why don't you come inside? We can have some tea or coffee."
Before Ember could respond, Zayne stepped in front of her protectively. "Mom, leave her alone. We're getting late—her mother is waiting for her." He shut the trunk and opened the car door for Ember.
Ember turned to Cherine with an apologetic smile. "Aunty, he's right. I didn't tell my mom I'd be out for this long. But next time, for sure! Or you can visit us when you come to see Zayne. We're neighbors too, after all."
Cherine beamed. "Oh, I'll definitely visit!"
Zayne sighed. "Bye, Mom." He leaned in and gave her a soft hug.
Ember smiled warmly. "Bye, Aunty Cherine. See you next time."
"Bye, both of you," Cherine called out as they got into the car and drove away.
When they arrived back home, Zayne bid Ember goodbye and began unloading the boxes from his car trunk. Ember hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
"Hey, Zayne… let me help you?" she offered.
Zayne shook his head. "You just recovered. I can do it myself."
But Ember was determined. She wasn't the type to just stand by and watch. In the end, after a bit of back and forth, Zayne finally gave in. With a sigh, he handed her the lightest box to carry.
Once they finished moving everything inside, Zayne dusted off his hands and looked at her. "Do you want something to drink? I have Coke."
Ember shook her head. "Just some water, please."
Zayne disappeared into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a glass of water and—unexpectedly—some snacks and sweets.
Ember raised an eyebrow. "You didn't have to."
Zayne shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's okay. You're the first guest I've had in this apartment."
As she sipped her water, Ember's gaze wandered across the room until it landed on a small stack of books on the table. Her fingers instinctively reached out, brushing against the cover of one in particular. "The Star and the Man," she murmured, recognizing the title. She had heard about this book from Adrien.
Noticing her interest, Zayne spoke up. "If you want, you can have it."
Ember hesitated. "No, you don't have to—"
Zayne cut her off with a smirk. "I've already finished it. You can read it and return it when you're done."
Ember wanted to read this book so badly that she finally gave in. "Okay… then I'll return it once I've finished."
Zayne gave a small nod and an approving smile.
Curious, Ember asked, "Did you find this book interesting?"
"Yeah," Zayne replied without hesitation. "It's a fascinating read."
Ember's curiosity deepened. She had always been intrigued by different perspectives on the book's concept. "Do you think the man in the story really traveled like that?"
Zayne could see the genuine interest in her eyes. Leaning back slightly, he considered his answer. "In my opinion? I think it's possible. Sometimes, science feels like pure imagination… and life itself often feels like a miracle."
Ember listened intently, nodding in agreement. There was something captivating about his perspective, something that resonated with her own thoughts.
After their brief but meaningful conversation, Ember decided it was time to head home. As she left, Zayne watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face.
She's really interesting… he thought to himself. In more ways than one.
Whispers of the Heart -
By the time Ember returned home, the evening sky had turned a deep shade of blue. She had been curious about the book, but the moment she placed it on the table, it slipped from her mind.
Zen had just returned as well, and soon, the whole family gathered in the living room to watch a movie together while having dinner. The warmth of home, the familiar laughter, and the cozy atmosphere wrapped around Ember like a comforting blanket.
But as the night deepened and sleep called for everyone, Ember retreated to her room.
Her eyes fell on the book again, but exhaustion weighed heavy on her. She had no energy to read. Instead, her gaze drifted to her diary—the one she had started writing ever since she met Dylan. Every moment with him was etched into its pages, every emotion poured into ink.
Tonight, however, a new name was about to make its way into her diary.
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Dear Diary,
Today was… unexpected.
I spent more than half my day with my new friend. But honestly, I don't even know what to call him. Sometimes, he's a doctor. Sometimes, a friend. And now, he's my neighbor too. But after spending time with him today, I feel like… he's a good guy.
You know what's even more unexpected? I was with him, but my mind kept showing me Dylan everywhere.
When Dr. Zayne was checking my injury, I could almost hear Dylan nagging me— "Why did you have to walk? I could carry you around!" And when I was at Zayne's home, I could practically feel Dylan's jealousy, as if he were wondering why I was there. Just thinking about it made me smile the entire time.
His nagging… it makes him seem so cute. Dylan—just hearing his name makes my heart flutter.
I think that's all for today. I'm going to meet him soon… and that makes me happy.
Oh! Yeah! I almost forgot—I found the book Adrien told me about. I want to read it, but right now, I just want to sleep fast… so I can see him sooner.
Good night, Diary.
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After pouring her heart onto the pages, Ember closed her diary and placed it on her nightstand. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she curled up under the covers. Within moments, sleep embraced her, carrying her into a world where her heart always longed to be.