Meant to Collide

16. When Midnight Speaks

The night was still brimming with life as Jules walked into her room, finding Dianne, her sister, sitting comfortably with Shiro, their dog, nestled beside her. As soon as Jules entered, Dianne wasted no time bringing up the dinner they'd all planned with Noah.

"So, when are we finally getting together for that meal, Jules?" Dianne asked, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "Noah mentioned we haven't gone out together since your graduation."

But Jules brushed it off. "I'm just too busy. Let's save it for later." She deftly shut down the topic, clearly not in the mood.

Dianne's eyebrows rose playfully. "Should I tell you the exact words Noah used?"

"Yes, the exact words," Jules replied, settling down at her laptop, her tone almost challenging.

Dianne smirked and continued. "So, how has it been, working with your dearest? Are you any less crazy in love?"

Jules looked up, a little startled. "Crazy in love? I'm not crazy... right now." Her voice was flat, almost guarded.

Dianne wasn't about to let it go. "Oh? And why's that?" she pressed.

After a pause, Jules looked away, as though weighing her words carefully. "I don't know. The Sky I used to know... he's someone different now, like he doesn't know me at all."

Dianne listened quietly, feeding Shiro and nodding as she absorbed Jules' words. "It's not just Sky, Jules. I feel the same way about Liam. He's so hard to understand! It's like he's more of a prison guard than a boyfriend. Won't even let me do things on my own!"

Jules chuckled. "No comment. You always make a matter out of me." She ruffled Shiro's fur, playing along as if the dog was in on it, too.

They playfully wrestled for a moment before Dianne left to take a call from Liam. As she walked out, Jules watched her with a knowing smirk. "Getting ghosted again, huh?" she murmured to herself.

Her phone buzzed just then, snapping her attention back. It was a message from Sky—a waving cute sticker. She smiled and sent a similar one back, only for another text to pop up almost immediately.

"Why did you reply? Why are you still awake?" Sky asked.

Jules couldn't hold back her grin as she typed, "I was just about to go to bed."

Sky sat up in his bed, his message coming in almost immediately. "Don't. Stay and chat with me... Are you by yourself?"

Amused and a little bemused, Jules glanced over at Dianne before replying, "Yes, I'm by myself." A sense of relief washed over Sky as he read her response.

After a pause, Sky replied again. "Is there a space under your bed? Because if there is, maybe a ghost will come out..."

Trying to scare me, huh? Jules thought, grinning to herself. She leaned into the game and sent back, "Don't look out your window. You might see a Peta."

Sky seemed to take the bait, and Jules couldn't help but laugh quietly. She felt a warmth settle over her, a rare feeling of peace that lingered as the night wore on. Shiro stretched beside her, and Dianne gave her a sly look before Jules shooed her off. For the first time in a while, Jules felt happy and content.

The next morning, Jules dressed in her favorite pink blazer and pants, the upbeat mood carrying her to work. As she entered the office, she paused by the notice board, catching sight of Sky's photo, smiling back at her.

Her attention was abruptly drawn elsewhere when a firm grip pulled her back, pressing her against the wall. Startled, she looked up to see Sky himself, dressed in a sharp black suit and signature sunglasses. His expression was unreadable as he lowered his shades, pinning her with an intense stare.

"Boss?" Jules managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a trace of a smirk, he leaned closer, the hint of challenge in his eyes unmistakable.