10

I remained silent throughout, listening attentively to After's story.

When he finished, a lengthy pause ensued.

During this quiet moment, we reached our destination.

"I appreciate you sharing that fascinating tale. If you'll excuse me, I need to get by." "Sophia..."

Someone behind him politely interjected, "Pardon me, sir."

Robin moved aside, allowing the person to pass, and I seized the chance to follow the other passengers out.

This was my first time abroad, and I felt quite disoriented.

After claiming my luggage, I began searching for the exit as Thomas had advised. Robin quickly caught up. "I'm familiar with this place. Let me show you out."

The foreign airport was confusing to me, so having a guide was a welcome relief.

I didn't object and followed his lead.

"How long are you planning to stay?"

"Two years."

Upon hearing this, he fell quiet once more.

As we left the airport, I casually flagged down a taxi. Just as I was loading my suitcase, I noticed him getting in too.

I froze outside the vehicle, slightly irritated. "Get out."

"You're not familiar with this area and could be taken advantage of. I'll accompany you to your lodging, then I'll leave."

He easily identified my vulnerability, and I reluctantly agreed, entering the car with a stern expression. Thomas had arranged a studio apartment for me.

It wasn't spacious, but it was perfect for solo living.

After I exited the car, Robin followed under the guise of inspecting the area's safety.

"Finished checking? You can go now."

"Living alone requires ensuring your safety. I need to be more thorough."

I curled my lip slightly and muttered, "You're the biggest threat to my safety. Please leave." Robin looked stunned, appearing hurt.

I ignored his reaction.

Realizing he was being unreasonable, he turned to leave.

During my time here, I not only focused on my studies but also learned to unwind properly. On weekends, I'd occasionally have picnics with friends, sharing my homemade dishes.

My friends always praised my cooking when they tasted it.

They'd finish everything each time, even dramatically using bread to soak up any remaining sauce.

Watching them enjoy the food gave me a sense of satisfaction.

Their actions undoubtedly boosted my confidence in my culinary skills.

However, every night when I returned home, I always felt like I was being followed. Just like now, I was walking nervously, clutching my bag tightly, when that eerie sensation returned.

I had reported it to the police before, but they said they found no suspicious individuals nearby.

I could only defend myself, pretending to call a friend to try and scare off whoever was behind me. Suddenly, a stray cat leaped out from nowhere, startling me into screaming and dropping my phone.

Just as I thought I was about to fall, the person behind me swiftly moved forward and caught me in time.

Robin's concerned face appeared before me. "Are you alright?"

Seeing him, my racing heart began to calm. "Why are you here? Have you been following me all this time?"

"Yes, I was worried you might encounter danger on your way."

I was furious. I glared at him and bent to retrieve my phone. "You're the biggest danger!"

I had been so frightened for so long that I nearly had a panic attack.

"With such little bravery, you still dare to walk home alone at night."

"You..."

Just as I was about to berate him, he said, "From now on, I'll walk you home at night. You don't want to leave your parents prematurely, do you?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Don't jinx me."

"It's not a jinx. I'm trying to prevent that from happening."

I wasn't in the mood to argue and quickly headed home.

After returning, I quietly opened the window and peeked out, only to see him standing outside for a while before going straight to the neighboring apartment.

I felt a mix of indescribable emotions.

At that moment, Olivia unexpectedly messaged me: [I'm sorry. I apologize for my actions.]

[I foolishly thought that without you, he would be with me. But now I realize how wrong I was. After you left, I understood that Robin truly only sees me as a sister. He has no romantic feelings for me.]

[He genuinely loves you. If possible, I hope you two don't miss out on each other because of me.]

I was stunned reading her message.

Suddenly, the pleasant tinkling of wind chimes came from the door.

I quickly went to answer it, and there stood Robin in casual attire, surprise evident in his eyes. He was still holding a small wind chime that wasn't yet hung.

Noticing my confusion, he explained, "With the wind chime, you'll know immediately if someone approaches."

His eyes were no longer cold and distant but showed warmth and affection, reminiscent of the look he gave me when he was sweating on the basketball court while I cheered from the sidelines.