Tina brushed off the call with a nonchnce that had Alfred''s name lost in the wind the moment she hung up.


    Phillip didn''tment on her defiant move to stay at a hotel on her own. However, after Tina and her bestie wrapped up their dinner and returned, they found his car parked conspicuously below the hotel. "Looks like your Phillip can''t stay away," she teased.


    Upon their return, Phillip exited his car, leaning against it as if he had all the time in the world.


    Her friend, catching the vibe, waved at him and tactfully disappeared upstairs.


    Tina sauntered over, hands behind her back" "What''s up? You''re tailing me pretty closely."


    "You''ve got a history of slipping away. Can''t be too careful," he replied.


    Tina scoffed. "Please, even my dad can''t keep tabs on me. You think you can?"


    As a car zoomed past behind them, Phillip instinctively pulled her close, his voice a deep murmur, "I don''t need to keep you on a leash. Just... let me know where you''re heading, okay? I can''t help but worry you''ll vanish likest time."


    "You worry?"


    "I''m human, aren''t I?"


    Tina feigned surprise. "Oh, you''re human? Could''ve fooled me."


    Phillip didn''t retort. "Have you eaten?" he changed the subject.


    "Yeah, I did," Tina yed coy, "But, if you ask nicely, I might just join you for a bite."


    Phillip, clearly not used to making such requests, inquired, "And what, pray tell, is ''asking nicely'' to you?"


    Tina, initially jesting, saw an opportunity for mischief. "Call me ''big sis''. Say, ''Big sis please, I beg of you!"


    Phillip stared nkly for a moment, "I guess dinner isn''t that critical."


    "Killjoy," Tina muttered, sliding into the car herself, "Let''s go, little bro."


    After dinner, Phillip dropped her back at the hotel. He didn''te up, proving his visit was purely for the shared meal.


    Humming to herself, Tina found her roomie sprawled on her bed, clearly disappointed to see her return alone.


    "I was here ying the waiting game. He''s got you to a hotel and doesn''t evene up? What gives?"


    "You think everyone''s as dirty-minded as you?"


    Her friend touched her nose in mock offense. "Me? Dirty-minded? Let''s not forget who tried to seduce a guy in nothing but a zer... Mmph!"


    A pillow fight ensued until theyy


    side by side, gasping for breath. Her friend mused, "Honestly, what''s the difference between you two now and actually dating?" Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Tina, feet swaying, pondered before admitting, "No wonder you''re so obsessed with love. It really is quite fun."


    Upon hearing Tina was in Stonebridge, a friend begged her to join a local documentary project highlighting the town''s culture and traditions.


    The Stonebridge TV station was behind it, and her friend introduced her to the polite and appreciative producer, who offered her the role of lead director. Intrigued, Tina signed on.


    Once filmingmenced, she threw herself into the work, spending a week immersed in the lifestyle of a well-preserved local vige.


    Exhausting? Yes. But for Tina, passion made it all worthwhile.


    It wasn''t until the final afternoon that


    she spotted Phillip, a striking


    Vene


    contrast in his sleek suit against the rustic vige backdrop, silently observing her work.


    She couldn''t resist capturing this moment, turning the camera on him.


    Phillip let her film for a while before walking over. Tina watched him approach through the lens untithe was lose enough for her to finally turn off the camera. S