𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧

🪷 9

The following morning, Miller woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. As he sipped his coffee, he drafted a message to Kali, hoping to clarify their relationship and set boundaries.

**Miller:** *Hey Kali, I hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know that I'm now dating Miyu. I think it's best if we take a step back from our usual interactions. It's important to me that Miyu feels comfortable and respected.*

He sent the message and waited for a response, feeling a mix of apprehension and resolve. Shortly afterward, his phone buzzed with Kali's reply.

**Kali:** *What? Are you serious? We've been friends for a long time, and you want to just cut off our communication? This is sudden and unfair.*

Miller felt a pang of frustration but remained calm as he typed back.

**Miller:** *I'm not trying to hurt you, but I need to prioritize my relationship with Miyu. I hope you understand.*

With the message sent, Miller turned his attention back to his day. Meanwhile, at Fashion Corner, Miyu was adjusting to her new role, enjoying the creative freedom but feeling the underlying tension with Kali.

Kali walked into the boutique with an air of determination. She approached Miyu with a forced smile, her tone laced with a mix of friendliness and underlying irritation.

"Hey Miyu," Kali said, her voice edged with a hint of confrontation. "I heard from Miller that you're uncomfortable with our friendship. Why didn't you just tell him to stop talking to me directly?"

Miyu was taken aback. "I didn't know it was that serious. I only mentioned feeling uneasy. I thought Miller would handle it himself."

Kali's expression hardened. "Well, Miller and I have been close for years. It's not something you can just change overnight. We have a history."

Miyu's defenses went up. "I understand that, but I also need to feel comfortable in my own space. It's not about discrediting your friendship. It's about setting boundaries that make both of us feel secure."

Kali crossed her arms. "You should have talked to Miller instead of letting him make decisions for both of you."

Miyu's frustration grew. "Miller did what he thought was right. I didn't expect you to find out this way. And honestly, I didn't think it would be this big of a deal."

The conversation ended on a tense note, and Miyu was left feeling unsettled. After her shift, she decided to confront Miller directly. She called him as soon as she got home, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Miller, can we talk?" Miyu's tone was firm. "I'm really upset about what happened with Kali."

Miller's voice was calm but concerned. "What's going on?"

"Why did you decide to distance yourself from Kali without discussing it with me first?" Miyu asked. "I get that you want to prioritize our relationship, but it feels like you made a decision for both of us without considering how it would affect me. I'm working with Kali now, and I didn't expect her to find out this way."

Miller sighed, trying to choose his words carefully. "I thought it was the right thing to do. I didn't want to make things awkward for you or have you feel uncomfortable. I guess I didn't handle it as well as I should have."

Miyu felt a mix of frustration and hurt. "I appreciate your intention to protect me, but it's also important that we communicate openly about these things. I need to be part of these decisions."

"I understand," Miller replied. "I should have talked to you first. I'm sorry for causing you stress."

Miyu sighed. "I just need us to be on the same page and handle things together. I don't want to feel sidelined in our own relationship."

After ending the call, Miyu felt a surge of relief mixed with lingering frustration. She decided to meet Emma for a break, seeking comfort and advice from her friend.

They met at their usual café, a favorite spot where they could relax and talk freely. Emma looked up from her coffee as Miyu arrived, noticing her troubled expression.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Emma asked, her concern evident.

Miyu took a deep breath and explained the situation in detail, including her conversation with Miller and her confrontation with Kali.

"I thought Miller and I were on the same page," Miyu said, feeling a mix of anger and disappointment. "But now I'm questioning why he didn't talk to me directly before making changes with Kali. It's like he made decisions for both of us without considering how it would affect me."

Emma listened sympathetically. "It sounds like a tough situation. It's hard when boundaries and relationships collide. Have you talked to Miller about how this has affected you?"

"I tried," Miyu said. "But it feels like everything is happening too fast. I want to be supportive, but it's hard when I feel like I'm being left out of the decisions that impact me."

Emma nodded. "You deserve to be heard and understood. Maybe it's time for an open conversation with Miller. Let him know how you're feeling and what you need from him."

Miyu took Emma's advice to heart. After their chat, she felt a bit more centered and resolved to address the situation with Miller more directly. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she needed to find a way to balance her feelings and her relationship.

As the evening drew to a close, Miyu returned to her apartment with a renewed determination. She was ready to face the challenges ahead, with a clearer sense of what she needed from her relationship with Miller and how to navigate her interactions with Kali.