Circe shrank back, letting out a pathetic, wronged meow.

Gonzalez didn't miss a beat. He smoothly scooped the cat up, deposited her onto the other side of the sofa, and turned to Norah. "It's getting late. You should head back and get some sleep."

Norah stretched her arms overhead. "I'm heading out then. Have a good night, Gonzalez."

The moment she stood up, Circe bounded back onto the sofa, planting a paw on the throw pillow Norah had just been using. The cat leaned in and began vigorously licking the spot where Norah's head had rested.

After a few licks, Circe looked up at Norah.

Seeing the sheer confusion on Norah's face, the cat hugged the pillow and licked it again.

Norah glanced at Gonzalez. "What's gotten into her?"

Gonzalez narrowed his dark eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in his pupils. He ran his tongue over his teeth and said coolly, "She's probably trying to tell you that she never wants to eat Cat's Fish Jerky ever again."

Circe immediately dropped the pillow and looked up at Gonzalez, letting out a few soft, ingratiating meows.

If her dense owner couldn't pick up on the clues, it was better to suck up to the guy who controlled the food supply.

"You don't want jerky, but you want to eat a pillow?" Norah laughed in amusement. She leaned down to scratch Circe's head. "See you tomorrow!"

The next day, the weather took a turn for the worse just past noon.

By the time the workday was wrapping up, a fierce storm had rolled in. Torrential rain lashed against the windows, and the howling wind killed any remaining productivity in the office as everyone scrambled to figure out how to get home.

Norah received a call from her family's driver. "Miss Norah, Madam sent me to pick you up, but the traffic is completely deadlocked. I'm going to be quite late."

"That's fine, take your time," Norah replied.

No sooner had she hung up than her phone buzzed again. It was Gonzalez.

She answered immediately. "Hello?"

"I'm in H City "Gonzalez said, his voice coming through the speakers against the low hum of his enginez "I'm driving back now but I won't get to J City until very late. Go back to your family's house tonight. Don't go to The Eden Apartments."

"But what about Circe?" Norah asked, her brow furrowing with worry.

"I left out plenty of food this morning. She'll survive a few hours on her own."

Hearing the steady rhythm of the road on his end, Norah didn't want to distract him. "The rain is terrible today. Drive safe, and don't rush."

"I won't," the man's deep, soothing voice echoed right against her ear.

It felt like a warm drop of rain landing directly on her heart, subtle yet impossible to ignore. The heated, damp sensation seeped into her chest, making her pulse flutter.

Norah lowered her phone and stared out at the blinding rain for a few seconds. Then, she dialed her driver back. "You don't need to pick me up. I'm going back to my apartment tonight."

In weather like this, trying to catch a cab for a ten-minute commute was impossible. Norah borrowed an umbrella from the front desk and braced herself for the walk.

The distance was short, but the wind and rain were relentless. By the time she stepped through her door, she was soaked to the bone.

She didn't even bother changing out of her wet clothes; her first priority was checking on Circe.

The apartment was shrouded in gloom. Circe was sitting by the balcony, watching the storm. At the sight of Norah, the cat sprinted over, weaving around her legs in pure excitement.

"Were you scared?" Norah scooped the cat into her arms, offering a bright, genuine smile. "Your owner is going to be late, so I'll keep you company. How does that sound?"

Circe purred happily, rubbing against Norah's chin.

Norah pulled out her phone, snapped a quick photo of Circe, and sent it to Gonzalez: [I'm keeping Circe company. Don't rush, drive safe. No need to reply.]

Miles away on a congested highway, Gonzalez checked his phone while stuck in gridlock.

The photo showed Circe bundled in Norah's arms. Only Norah's chin was visible, but her sleeve was clearly plastered to her skin, darkened by the rain.

He stared at her wet sleeve, a deep frown carving into his features. A heavy surge of emotion twisted in his chest. He wished he could abandon the car and teleport straight to her side