MASKED FACE

Kelvin stretched with a contented sigh as she sat at the breakfast table. "Oh God, yesterday was a great day"

Adrian, sipping his coffee, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I woke up so sore."

Kelvin's brow lifted. "Sore?"

Adrian groaned. "Don't tell me how to say it again. I mean, I didn't brush my teeth after drinking and eating. That's why I woke up sore... I mean, sore in my mouth."

Kelvin chuckled, finally understanding. Adrian, in turn, teased him. "You're so funny, Kevin."

Kevin grinned. "Yeah, that's me for you."

The conversation shifted as Kelvin brought up Ty's reaction to his gifts. Kevin smirked knowingly. "Oh, he was extremely happy about one particular present."

Adrian frowned. "What did you put in his gift?"

Kevin's laughter echoed in the room. "Let's just say... it was something useful."

Meanwhile, in his room, Ty groggily rubbed his face as his alarm clock blared. After getting ready, he finally turned his attention to the neatly wrapped presents on his desk. Curious, he began unboxing them—shoes, a shirt, and food from Adrian; a headset from Jordan; a sweatshirt and a shoelet drawing from Collins.

He smiled at Collins' thoughtfulness. Next, he found a larger package from Collins—glasses, shaving cream, and a suit. He shook his head, impressed by Collins' generosity.

Then, the final box. Ty hesitated, sensing trouble. As he unwrapped it, his suspicions were confirmed—inside lay a neatly packed sachet of condoms.

Kelvin, who had just walked in, burst into laughter. "Don't tell me you had a naughty dream?"

Ty groaned, throwing a shoe at him. "Get out!"

Zhoey rushed through her morning, because she was already late, her stomach growling. She hadn't eaten before leaving. If only I had grabbed something.

She flagged down a taxi. "Hillway Hospital," she told the driver.

At the hospital, she greeted Dr. Wayne, who mentioned she was early.

"I'm on the money shift," Zhoey explained.

Dr. Wayne looked apologetic. "Oh, I should have informed you earlier. The shift schedule changed. You're now on night duty."

Zhoey sighed but then offered, "I can take your shift."

Dr. Wayne smiled. "That would be helpful. You should rest before tonight."

>>>>>>>>>>>

Later, Ty stopped by a boutique, picking up black clothing and coffee. As he waited, his gaze landed on Zhoey, who was talking to a man with a gun visible in his pocket.

His body tensed. Without hesitation, he strode over.

The man, Evan, noticed him. "Who's this?"

"Leave him alone," Zhoey demanded.

Evan's smirk disappeared as he swung a fist at Ty, landing a hard punch.

Zhoey gasped. "Stop it, Evan!"

Ty wiped his cheek, stunned at the strength of the blow. Evan aimed another punch, but Zhoey's warning made Ty dodge just in time.

Then, Evan pulled his gun.

Zhoey's breath hitched. "Evan, don't—"

Ty saw his chance and knocked the weapon away. A struggle ensured.

In the chaos, Zhoey accidentally kicked Ty in the head with her heel.

Evan took advantage, landing a brutal slap on Zhoey and a kick to Ty's stomach.

Groaning, Ty forced himself up. He threw a solid punch, making Evan stumble. Blood dripped from Evan's lip as he pulled out a second weapon.

"Shoot me then," Ty challenged, standing firm.

Evan raised the gun—but Ty was faster, disarming him and pinning him to the ground.

A gunshot rang out.

Zhoey froze.

Evan scrambled up and fled.

Zhoey rushed to Ty, eyes widening at the red stain on his shirt. "You're bleeding!"

Ty smirked weakly. "Who are you?"

Ignoring his joke, Zhoey reached for his mask, but instead, Ty grasped her hands. "Don't go home," he said.

Zhoey shook her head. "I can't. I was the cause of this."

Ty exhaled. "You're not the cause."

Zhoey insisted on calling for help, but Ty stopped her.

When his mask slipped, revealing his face, her breath hitched.

"You need a hospital," she said firmly.

"I'm fine," Ty muttered.

Zhoey watched him struggle to stand, pressing against his wound. A crowd was forming. Collins arrived, calling her name.

She turned, voice unsteady. "Take me home first."

>>>>

Back home, the group gathered, relieved to see Zhoey safe. But she wasn't done.

"I have to go back," she said.

Adrian frowned. "That's not possible."

"My shift changed," Zhoey explained.

Curious, Adrian pulled up the hospital's website. His expression darkened. "Zhoey…" He turned the screen toward her.

Her hospital had caught fire.

Her voice wavered. "How? When?" Tears welled in her eyes. "Why today?"

Ty walked in. Collins turned to him. "What's wrong?"

Zhoey's voice cracked. "Someone got hurt because of me."

Adrian frowned. "Who?"

Ty looked at her, silent. Kelvin's voice broke the tension. "Pinky."

Zhoey turned to him, confused. Adrian asked, "What's going on?"

Ty hesitated before brushing it off. "I'm just exhausted."

But Adrian studied him. Something's not right.

"Did you see the attacker's face?" Adrian asked.

Ty shook his head. "No."

Adrian pressed further. "And your wound?"

Ty lifted his shirt.

Jayden cursed. "Ty, you thought this wasn't necessary to tell anyone? You could've died."

Ty waved him off. "I'm fine. No more bleeding."

Kelvin suddenly gasped. "Jesus, Zhoey, you're bleeding!"

All eyes turned to her.

Ty was the first to react, using his jacket to cover the bleeding.

Their eyes locked. Something unspoken passed between them.

Kelvin asked, "What's going on?"

Ty only said, "Be quiet."

Later, Ty brought Zhoey's bag to her room, knocking on the door.

Inside, Zhoey startled. "Someone's in my room?"

She opened the door to see Ty holding her bag.

"Thank you," she said.

Ty didn't respond.

Zhoey hesitated before saying, "I need some personal items. Can you…?"

Silence.

"Can you help me?" she repeated.

Without a word, Ty turned and walked out.

Frustrated, Zhoey called after him, "Seriously? Thanks!"

Later that night, Ty ordered the items, specifying her preferred brands. When the delivery arrived, Collins helped carry them to her room.

That evening, Adrian approached Ty, ready to cover him with a sheet.

Ty grabbed his wrist. "What are you doing?"

"Bringing food," Adrian replied.

Ty smirked. "What's on the menu?"

"Spaghetti, rice, and pork stew."

Ty considered. "Take the spaghetti. I'll have the rice."

As he ate, Adrian suddenly asked, "Are you in love with Zhoey?"

Ty choked, reaching for water.

Adrian chuckled. "That was a reaction."

Ty ignored him.

Later, a knock came at his door.

Zhoey stood there, holding money. "I wanted to pay you back."

Ty stared at her before shaking his head.

"It was expensive," Zhoey pressed. "Please take it."

Ty exhaled, his voice quiet. "Go. It's late."

Then, he closed the door.

Zhoey stood there, confused.

Something between them had changed.

And neither of them knew what to do about it.