Chapter 40


    Two days had flown by since ourst–minute decision to move. We were prepared to toss it all out


    in exchange for the furnished luxury apartment that awaited us downtown.


    Lucas insisted on helping out, which made the move even smoother. We were able to clean and


    leave the old ce in semi–decent condition before driving the moving truck all the way to the new


    ce. Perhaps it was the bright new day, but I felt like a brand–new person as I walked into the


    luxury apartment building alongside my friends.


    It looked even more endearing than thest time we visited. The new ce was a haven of


    elegance andfort, a stark contrast to the cramped and worn–out apartment we had left behind.


    I took a deep inhale in and spread my arms out.


    Lucas chuckled as he walked by and sat thest box of our personals beside the TV. The TV itself


    was a huge contrast, a wide tscreen that made our little box of static back at the old apartment


    look embarrassing.


    “Thank you so much for all your help, Lucas,” I said gratefully.


    He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and grinned. “No problem at all. I am always willing to help


    with an upgrade.”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Aria came in after him, drenched in sweat as she tossed down thest box. She cut her eyes to me


    and sneered. “d you’re enjoying the air conditioning.”


    Iughed and grabbed her shoulders before positioning her in front of the vent by the near wall.


    “You can too. And it’s actually cold!”


    Upon feeling the cool rush of air sting through the vents, Aria began to melt under my grip.


    We spent the next hour wandering around, just enjoying the beauty of it all. I’d never felt more


    excited to sleep in a bad that didn’t look like it had springs sticking out of it. Aria, of course, was


    fascinated by the bathroom, and Lucas was just used to the luxury of it all.


    Suddenly, Lucas jerked to life and hopped off the couch.


    “I almost forgot!” he eximed, rushing out of the living room. I heard the door


    1/4


    m and I turn to give Aria a questioning look.


    “What’s with him?” I asked her, and she simply shrugged. Oddly enough, there was a hint of a smile


    on her face.


    Finally. Lucas returned to the room, only he had a bottle of champagne in one hand and arge


    cake teetering in the other. I gasped as he set both down on the coffee table in front of me and


    pped his hands.


    “We figured we could continue the celebration,” he said, popping the top off the bottle.


    We decided to move to the spacious balcony, taking in the breathtaking view of the city below.


    “Cheers to a fresh start and a beautiful new home!” Aria eximed, raising her ss of sparkling


    champagne. The clinking of sses then filled the air and weughed as the liquid warmed our


    bellies.


    I sipped my champagne and giggled as the bubbles tickling my tongue. The sensation would never


    get old. “Can you believe we’re finally here?” I said, slightly dazed.


    “I know, right?” Aria replied, her gaze wandering across the cityscape. “It feels like a dreame


    true.”


    Lucas grinned, his eyes shining. “I’m d you two already feel at home. Heck, I almost want to ditch


    my ce for this one.” As weughed, Lucas offered to cut the cake and he gave us each a slice.


    We savored the buttercream icing in silence, instead listening in to the soft cadence of the city


    below. The lights twinkled the sky darkened to a deep blue. The stars peeked out one by one,


    adding a touch of magic to the night.


    “I feel so grateful to have both of you in my life,” I said softly. “Moving here. wouldn’t have been half


    as fun without you two.”


    Aria reached over and squeezed my hand. “d we could make things easier. You deserve the


    rest.”


    Lucas chimed in, “We’ve been through so much together, and I know we’re going to make even


    more incredible memories in this new ce.”


    From there, the champagne flowed, and the cake disappeared, but this beautiful evening had yet to


    begin.


    As the night air grew chillier, we migrated inside. In the living room, we set up the bar by the kitchen


    with an array of drinks. Aria prepared a tter of finger foods that we could snack on, especially


    since no one felt like cooking a full dinner by that point.


    Lucas expertly manned the bar, mixing up delightful cocktails with ir. I sat back and watched the


    two work on their crafts, relishing my contentment.


    “Let’s turn on those fancy speakers that came with the apartment!” Lucas suggested, his words


    slurred.


    Without hesitation, I made my way to the sleek control panel on the wall, adjusting the volume and


    selecting a ylist full of pop music. As the first beats of music filled the room, we devolved into


    carefree abandon.


    Aria twirled around, her dress swirling gracefully, while Lucas yfully shook his hips, showcasing


    some of his well–practiced dance moves. I joined in, allowing the music to take over my body and


    wash away my stress.


    The atmosphere was contagious, and soon we found ourselves lost in a dance–off, each of us


    trying to outdo the other before realizing how silly it had be. Theughter was infectious,


    exhrating even.


    Any thoughts of Bruce and Timothy were fleeting, yet persistent all at once. The contrast was so


    great between them. Bruce was that dark shadow that haunted me, but Timothy was like a flickering


    candle, casting both warmth and pain.


    “Get out of my head!” I clenched my hair and shook my head, as if the thoughts could escape


    through my ears.


    I closed my eyes, trying to push the intrusive thoughts away, but the memories. yed like a movie


    in my mind. I could feel Timothy’s strong hands working their magic on my feet, the gentle pressure


    releasing the knots in my muscles. Alongside the soothing memory came that familiar swirl of


    conflicting emotions.


    That massage had not been innocent and well–intentioned. I couldn’t lie to myself about that. There


    had been moments when Timothy’s touch had lingered, sending unexpected shivers down my


    spine.


    “Uh–uh!” I shook my head and ran over to the control panel. I rolled the knob, raising the volume.


    “Whoa!” Aria wiggled around until she copsed into a heap on the couch. “Evie is letting loose


    tonight!”


    vibrations. I almost


    As the speakers filled the room, I paused to feel the get lost in


    1. it.


    Just when the feeling of bliss had heightened, there was a sudden knock at the


    door. Startled, I cut the music, which disturbed Lucas and Aria. I ignored their protests as I hurriedly


    made my way to the entrance, slightly flustered.


    “I’m sorry about the noise!” I called out to whoever might be on the other side.


    Slightly curious about our new neighbor, I swung the door open, expecting to find. a neighbor


    comining about the loud music. However, the sight that greeted me left me utterly stunned.


    There, standing in a t–shirts and nnel pants, was Timothy.


    My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. I hadn’t expected to see Timothy for at least a couple


    months. A few days was too soon to close any of the emotional wounds we’d left on each other.


    “Hey,” he said with a warm smile, his soft eyes lingering on me. “I see you’ve settled in. How’s the


    new apartment?”


    “T–Timothy?” I gasped.


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