“Hello.”

“Brian, I'm coming back home. My flight is tomorrow morning and I'LL be landing at Wragos Airport around noon. Could you pick me up?"

The voice of a woman, gentle and light-hearted, rang out from the phone.

Tightening his lips, Brian replied curtly, “I'm tied up. I don't have time."

A sweetly persuasive tone Laced the woman's words.

"Brian, it's best if you agree. After all, it's your mother's request. If she were to find out you refused, she would be quite displeased.”

Mulling over his mother's potential reaction, a look of helplessness crept into Brian's eyes.

“Just send me your flight details."

“Perfect, see you tomorrow.”

Once the call ended, Brian stared at his phone, his mind seemingly distant.

She had been overseas for two years. Was she really coming back?

On the bed, Eleanor looked at Brian with a hint of curiosity.

"Who was that call from?"

Surely, it couldn't be work-related.

His demeanor hadn't been cold or detached.

Brian quickly slipped back into his usual aloof and dismissive persona.

"Get some sleep. This doesn’t concern you.”

Feigning a sulk, Eleanor implored, "I can't seem to drift off. Would you mind joining me?"

A shadow of irritation passed over Brian's face.

“Eleanor, I agreed to stay because I felt guilty, not because I hold any interest in you. Our relationship is purely transactional."

If he hadn't lost his composure that night, he wouldn't have entangled himself with her.

Fortunately, this misguided relationship was nearing its end.