SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Chapter 27

Joshua's head swirled as he trudged up the stairs to his apartment, his emotions a chaotic mess of frustration, resignation, and something he refused to name. The day had been one long cruel joke at his expense, and he was tired of the universe pulling him into battles he didn't ask to fight.

No matter how far he tried to run, it felt like the world was intent on dragging him back into the chaos he so desperately wanted to escape. The bitterness welled up in his chest, threatening to spill over as he stomped up the stairs.

The momentary relief of solitude shattered when he collided with a figure sprawled across the landing, a half-empty bottle dangling precariously from their hand. The man toppled sideways with a groggy grunt, barely reacting to Joshua's sharp, "Watch it."

The drunkard's sluggish attempts to right himself only fed Joshua's irritation. "Pathetic," he muttered under his breath, stepping over the body without so much as a second glance.

When he finally reached Samuel's door, Joshua rapped his knuckles against it once, then let himself in. Politeness wasn't exactly high on his list of priorities tonight. The scent of ink and paper greeted him, the familiar clutter of Samuel's workspace filling his vision. 

The sight that greeted him wasn't what he expected. 

But what made him pause was the sight of Yusuke seated at Samuel's desk, her fingers frozen mid-air. Her surprise was evident in the way she flinched before forcing an awkward smile and giving a small wave.

Joshua blinked, caught off guard, but quickly recovered enough to wave back. Clearing his throat, he held up the keys. "Just here to return these," he said, nodding toward the counter.

Yusuke gestured toward the bedroom. "He's in the shower. Should be out soon," she said, her voice light but uneasy.

Joshua nodded again, moving to the counter and setting the keys down beside the takeout box he'd brought. "I didn't know you'd be here," he said, his tone halfway between casual and apologetic. He glanced at the box, realizing too late that he'd only brought enough for one.

Yusuke's laugh came a little too quickly, a little too bright. "Don't worry about me. I won't be staying long anyway—just waiting for Samuel to finish up."

Joshua hesitated, sensing the tension she was trying to smooth over. "Alright then," he said after a beat, his voice quieter now. "I'll head out." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, Yusuke let out a shaky exhale, sinking back into her chair. Her hands rubbed nervously at her knees before she moved back to the couch, pulling her legs up beneath her. It wasn't long before Samuel emerged, hair damp, pulling a plain hoodie over his head. He paused when he noticed her expression.

"Joshua dropped by," Yusuke said immediately, her tone clipped, her gaze sharp.

Samuel hummed, barely looking up as he moved toward the counter. "Dropped off the keys?"

"And some takeout," she added.

Samuel glanced at the box, already pulling out a plate. "Want to share? I'm not that hungry anyway."

Yusuke shook her head, folding her arms. "I'll leave in a few."

Samuel shrugged. "Up to you." He didn't press, instead focusing on unwrapping the food and plating it neatly.

But Yusuke wasn't done. "Why do you still entertain him?" she asked, her voice cutting through the quiet like a blade.

Samuel paused, his back to her, but didn't answer immediately, focused on unpacking the food. He set the portions onto a plate with an almost mechanical precision, refusing to meet her gaze.