My Last And My Only

Chapter 162: Home is Still You

And just like everyone predicted, life slowly became busy again.

Not all at once.

Not dramatically.

Just little by little.

Christine still sent random messages in the group chat.

Gwen still found reasons to complain about upcoming classes.

Yves was already preparing things weeks ahead.

Nica and Francheska still made plans when they could.

But the everyday, spontaneous summer feeling was slowly disappearing.

Everyone was finding their own rhythm again.

Including Aiah and Khae.

Aiah's schedule had become more predictable.

Work in the morning.

Responsibilities throughout the day.

Then, when she finally got home, the quiet moments she shared with Khae became the part of the day she looked forward to most.

Sometimes they called for hours.

Sometimes it was only ten minutes because one of them was exhausted.

But they always called.

Even if the conversation was just:

"How was your day?"

"Did you eat?"

"Are you tired?"

"Sleep early."

The little things stayed.

On days when Khae finished early at Mezzo, she would pick Aiah up from work.

Those were Aiah's favorite days.

Not because they did anything special.

Sometimes they just drove home.

Sometimes they stopped for food.

Sometimes they sat in the car for a few minutes before saying goodbye because neither of them wanted the day to end yet.

Other days, Ivy picked Aiah up since her work wasn't far from where Aiah worked.

And sometimes, if their schedules matched, they would leave together in the morning.

It wasn't the endless summer freedom they had before.

But it was theirs.

At Mezzo, Khae had slowly become part of the café's routine.

Not in a way that surprised anyone anymore.

She knew where things were.

She knew the flow of busy hours.

She knew when Fea needed help before Fea even asked.

And Fea, in return, had stopped treating Khae like someone she had to guide every second.

They had developed their own rhythm.

Which usually involved arguing over small things.

"You're doing it wrong."

Khae looked up from the drink she was preparing.

"I am not."

Fea crossed her arms.

"You are."

"I followed the instructions."

"You followed them technically."