After Adam left, Evan stayed, lying on the hotel bed, arms folded under his head, staring at the ceiling.
He was supposed to sleep.
He didn't.
Instead, he replayed everything about her—the way she looked out the train window, the way she left in a hurry, the book. Her name. Selene.
"How do I casually run into someone in the same hotel?" he mumbled to himself with a half-smile.
No answers came. But his determination stayed.
The next morning, Evan woke up early, showered, dressed in his usual linen shirt and worn jeans, and slung his leather camera bag across his shoulder. He slid Selene's book carefully into it, zipped up, and stepped out.
His heart was calm, but his steps were fast as he approached room eleven.
He raised his hand, about to knock.
Click.
The door handle moved.
Evan's eyes widened—he spun, rushed back to his room, fumbled with his keycard, and shut the door softly behind him.
Then he cracked it open just a little.
Selene stepped out, phone in her hand, cardigan draped over one arm, her expression quiet and unreadable.
She walked toward the elevator.
"Free breakfast," Evan whispered to himself, locking his room and following her before the elevator closed.
The dining area had sunlight spilling through wide windows, fresh bread in baskets, the smell of coffee and butter in the air. People murmured softly over eggs and toast, half-asleep and barely talking.
Selene sat alone at a table near the window, a black coffee in front of her, fingers wrapped tightly around the mug like she needed the warmth more than the drink.
Evan spotted her instantly.
Now or never.
He grabbed a plate—two slices of toast, a boiled egg, a croissant he didn't even want—and poured himself a coffee, too.
Then, with his most nonchalant face, he made his move.
He walked straight to her table.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked, already pulling out the chair beside her, his tray balanced in one hand and her forgotten book tucked under his arm.
She looked up at him, surprised
Her gaze flicked down to the book.
"You left this," Evan said softly, setting it down in front of her like a peace offering. "On the train."
A pause.
Selene looked at the book, then back at him.
Her fingers brushed the cover.
"You followed me."
Evan smiled, sipping his coffee. "More like fate keeps putting us in the same place."
She didn't respond immediately—but she didn't tell him to leave either.
He took that as a win.
Evan took a slow sip of his coffee, glancing sideways at her. She hadn't run. That was a good sign.
"So…" he said carefully, keeping his voice low and casual, "what are you up to today?"
Selene shrugged, staring into her mug. "Nothing. Just… here."
"You here for vacation?"
"No."
A pause.
"I don't really have anything to take a vacation from."
Evan nodded slowly. "So you're living here now?"
She gave a small nod. "I guess."
It was quiet again.
Evan looked at her, eyes thoughtful. "Well, I have a stupid idea."
She raised an eyebrow slightly. "What?"
"I'm a photographer," he said, tapping the camera bag slung across his chair. "I go to cities, take pictures, post stuff online, write about the places. That's my thing."
She didn't respond, just listened.
"I've got a few shoots coming up," he continued. "A wedding, a few portraits, some street photography. I'm not great at… organizing things. You know, dates, locations, gear, schedule—basically everything that matters."
Selene blinked.
"So," he leaned forward slightly, "you could be my assistant."
She let out a quiet breath. "I don't want to" A pause.
"I don't know how to take pictures."
Evan grinned. "Perfect. I don't need another photographer. I need someone who can help me keep my life from falling apart."
She looked at him, uncertain.
"Look, I'm not saying forever," he added quickly. "Just for a bit. Help me out, I'll pay you, and maybe it gives you something to do while you're… figuring things out."
Selene stayed quiet, eyes back on her coffee.
Then, calmly, she stood up.
"I don't need saving," she said, voice low but sharp. "And I don't need something to do."
He blinked. "Selene—"
"Stop bothering me."
She didn't wait for a reply. Just grabbed her coffee and left — quiet as always.
Evan cursed under his breath and bolted after her, dodging through the narrow hallway of the old guesthouse.
"Hey—wait!"
She was just slipping her key into the door when he caught up. His hand landed gently on her shoulder.
She didn't turn around.
"I said stop." he said, breathless. "Just—one thing."
A beat. She didn't move.
"Do it as a thank you."
That made her pause. Her hand stilled on the doorknob.
"For what?" she muttered.
Evan exhaled. "For saving your book"
"I could've thrown it away, but I didn't."
Slowly, Selene turned, her expression unreadable.
He smiled, just a little. "So help me. Just for a bit. Just long enough to make it even."
She stared at him, eyes flicking over his face like she was trying to figure out if he meant it — if it was safe.
Finally, she sighed.
He softened his voice. "I don't know anything about you. But I don't think you came here to do nothing."
Her fingers tapped on the doorknob.
"Just this time, & after that you'll stop bothering me."
Evan smiled, a slow real one. "I promise."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips curved, just a little.