And So on.

Heavy.

The morning air was crisp as Albie stood in front of the main door of his apartment building, his expression calm but slightly distracted. Across from him, just outside the building, was Rose, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized coat, her lips curving into a polite smile. The faint murmur of their small talk floated in the space between them, but the words were lost to the wind-inaudible to anyone passing by.

It seemed like Rose was about to leave after her sudden visit this morning. Albie offered her a final nod as they exchanged pleasantries once more. He waved at her as she turned on her heel and walked away slowly, the distance between them growing with every step. Rose glanced over her shoulder briefly, catching Albie's figure framed in the doorway. His hand was still raised in a small, friendly wave before he turned and disappeared inside, the door clicking shut behind him.

With a soft sigh, Albie headed straight for the elevator, his mind already drifting to his commissions. He stepped into the lift, the faint hum of the machinery filling the silence as he prepared to get back to his work-another day of deadlines, brushes, and sketches. But beneath the surface, something weighed on him, an unspoken heaviness lingering from his earlier conversation with Rose.

Meanwhile, Rose continued her walk toward her motel, her thoughts spinning. She passed by the familiar small café where Lila worked. As her eyes flicked to the front of the café, she froze, her gaze locking onto a curious scene through the window.

Lila was standing by one of the tables, her apron tied neatly around her waist. But it wasn't Lila that caught Rose's attention. It was the figure sitting in front of her-a woman with long, straight black hair that cascaded down her back, wearing dark sunglasses, a gray hoodie, and casual jeans. The woman seemed relaxed, but something about her struck Rose as off. A feeling of unease stirred in her chest.

Rose quickly ducked behind a nearby pole, crouching slightly behind some small bushes. Her heart raced as she peeked around the corner, trying to get a clearer view of the mysterious figure. Who is she? Rose wondered, squinting to make out the woman's features beneath her sunglasses. Something about her felt familiar, but Rose couldn't quite place it.

The moment pulled her back to her earlier conversation with Albie. The words echoed in her mind, sharp and unsettling.

"What was her name? Your cheating ex, I mean."

Albie had hesitated, his voice low but steady as he revealed the name.

"Eleanor Kent. That's her name. Eleanor Kent."

Rose had been stunned, her heart dropping into her stomach. She hadn't been prepared for the answer.

"No way... Eleanor Kent?" she had gasped, her face paling as the name sank in. Eleanor Kent-the world-famous model and actress. Albie's ex.

The realization had hit her like a freight train. Albie's ex wasn't just anyone-she was Eleanor Kent. How could her quiet, artistic cousin have once dated someone so wildly famous? The shock was overwhelming, leaving Rose reeling.

---

Back to the café, where Lila was standing beside the table of none other than Eleanor Kent. The café buzzed softly around them, but the tension at the table felt palpable. Eleanor's fingers toyed with her coffee cup as she looked up at Lila, her gaze sharp and guarded.

"How do you know my name?" Eleanor's voice was calm but carried an edge of curiosity.

Lila's eyes widened in realization. She quickly waved her hands in front of her, as if to dispel any suspicion.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Eleanor! I didn't mean to intrude," Lila stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'm a huge fan! Seeing you here in this little town, well, it really shocked me. I didn't expect it at all." She let out a nervous laugh. "I didn't mean for my question to be so personal."