My fist rested against the door beside her head, the echo of my earlier slam still ringing in my ears, my eyes red and teary, locked on hers. Aeri stared back, her gaze filled with worry and guilt, her lips parting as she whispered my name. "Ezra…"
Knock Knock The sharp sound cut through the heavy silence, startling Aeri a little.
"This is staff from the hotel," a polite but firm voice called from the other side of the door. "We just came to confirm—is everything okay inside? The guests heard a loud bang."
Aeri's eyes flicked to the door, then back to me, her expression softening but still tense. She swallowed, her voice steady but quick as she responded, keeping her gaze on me.
"Y-yes… yes, everything's okay. It was me, I just fell against the door, so that's why. I'm sorry for the disturbance caused." Her words were calm, covering for my outburst, her hand resting lightly on her chest, as if to anchor herself.
