Chapter 113
Then Theo's eyes swept over the whole scene warily, catching the subtle tremor in Aldraya's movements, the tension of the driver, and the harsh light enveloping the vehicle.
All those elements formed some kind of unheard rhythm, where every gesture and response interacted in an almost unreal harmony.
Theo realized that although he appeared passive, he was still part of the narrative unfolding before his eyes, aware of the symbolic meaning behind every contact and distance created.
At last they reached the side of the taxi, with the remaining distance feeling short and full of possibility.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you, thank you!
And uh… thank you so much. And thank you too, Sir, for bringing the passenger directly to me like this!"
"No problem."
'At least one thing is settled today.
And most importantly, the chatterbox who keeps asking questions—in the form of a flat, emotionless face—can finally be sent home.
Aldraya Kansh Que.'
Aldraya slid into the taxi seat with smooth, calm motion, adjusting herself as if she had long been familiar with the vehicle.
The driver looked at the girl for a moment, surprised and relieved, then obeyed the instruction without hesitation, starting the engine and heading toward the driver's gate.
Every step he took felt measured, and even before entering the cabin, the driver had already expressed his gratitude three times, his voice trembling slightly with a mix of relief and thankfulness.
Theo's gaze followed every movement, noticing the driver's reaction that seemed touched yet relieved by Aldraya's presence, which brought unexpected luck that afternoon.
When the vehicle moved a little, the driver paused briefly to give his gratitude directly to Theo Vkytor.
The gesture was simple yet full of respect, marking his acknowledgment of Theo's role in delivering the customer who became a crucial point for him that day.
Theo responded with a slight nod, no words spoken, only a subtle satisfaction arising from the awareness that his actions brought a real outcome.
There was a sense of relief and joy wrapped within, for that brief interaction brought a personal fulfillment requiring no further explanation.
On the other hand, Theo felt an added, more personal sense of delight.
He could see Aldraya, the girl known for her silence, control, and almost complete lack of expression, momentarily displaced from the area that had been the center of attention.
The calm he felt was not only because the driver was satisfied, but also because Aldraya's presence had shifted elsewhere, giving him more space to observe without disturbance.
He realized that this relief came from two things at once.
The successful interaction with the driver, and the chance to let go of the small burden that always clung to him whenever he was around the girl.
Vroooom!
'Date's over, time to head back.'
Theo glanced briefly at the car moving away, ensuring the taxi followed the intended direction before he finally decided to walk.
His steps were quick and certain, leaving the place with full awareness that his task was done and everything around him was safe.
The scorching midday air brushed against his skin as he walked, carrying a thin yet genuine sense of relief.
Without looking back, Theo adjusted his pace to the surrounding environment, recognizing that the moment served as a soft closure to the interaction that had just taken place.
"Aduh, Miss, thank you so much. Really, thank you.
A driver's job isn't easy, you know?
Going around all morning, heat, traffic, sometimes not getting any passenger at all.
And today I almost didn't reach my target. But you got in, and I… ah, I'm so grateful.
Thank you, thank you, thank you…"
"...."
"If all passengers were like you, my life might be easier."
"Hm."
"I swear, Miss, this feels like the last blessing of the day.
I still have bills to pay, and—"
"Alright."
'It seems I don't mind following routines with two men in a single day.'
Aldraya Kansh Que sat calmly in the back seat of the taxi, her eyes fixed straight ahead as if the world outside the window was nothing more than a faint backdrop.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle felt crowded with the driver's endless repetition of gratitude, each word spoken with a tone that mixed anxiety and relief, signaling how desperately he wished to finish his work before midnight.
Aldraya did not respond.
Her movements remained stiff yet orderly, her hands and legs placed with a precision that affirmed full control over herself.
Whenever the driver interjected, her eyes did not shift, and the voice filling the cabin did not affect her breathing or concentration, forming a clear psychological distance between her and the surrounding restlessness.
As the vehicle slowly approached the outer gate of Star Academy, Aldraya seemed to let herself sink into her own stream of thoughts.
There was an impression that she was weighing several matters, yet her face remained blank, her expression devoid of reaction.
The driver's constant rambling became background noise she ignored, every word about his last customer and debts to settle echoing faintly without disturbing her composure.
Occasionally she moved her lips in a faint whisper—barely audible—signaling that she acknowledged or noted the situation in her own way, though untouched by emotion or external triggers.
'With Ilux, nothing is worth paying attention to.
Decisions, opinions, his chatter—all pass like dead wind.
I never feel compelled to respond.
No reason.
No urgency.
Nothing… impressive.
But with Theo.…'
Fiiiih!
'For some reason, every provocation of his forces my thoughts to move.
Every sentence feels like a challenge, and I feel obligated to answer.
My heart refuses to yield and refuses to lose to him.
So why did I go this far?'
Half the day had passed, and Aldraya Kansh Que had gone through her routine with two different men, each moment filled without complaint or discomfort.
She moved calmly, her eyes always facing forward, and her body adapting to the rhythm of each interaction without showing the slightest hint of disturbance.
Every step she took, every small movement amidst meetings, appeared deliberate despite their simplicity, affirming that calmness and self-control were principles she firmly held at all times.
No excessive reactions, no spontaneous response to demands or chatter, as if the world around her was merely a stage she could adjust to her own rhythm.
Whenever she was with Ilux, everything remained in place without much motion.
Aldraya found herself uninterested, even inclined to ignore every decision, opinion, and ramble coming from him.
She continued moving at her own pace, lowering her gaze or shifting her eyes without showing the slightest hint of concern, wrapping a broad distance between herself and Ilux.
Every action from Ilux failed to influence Aldraya's internal rhythm, for the principles she upheld—faith, devotion, and betrayal—formed an invisible fortress shielding her from any external disturbance.
She evaluated the world not through people's requests or attention, but through the delicate balance she created on her own.
That contrast changed again when Theo pulled her into four different places in a single day, shaping interactions filled with consistent and measured provocation.
Aldraya realized that when facing Theo, a different response emerged deep within her.
Every provocation he threw stirred small ripples in her awareness.
Not merely to restrain herself, but almost as though awakening an internal obligation to respond.
To be continued…