Főnix

Phoenix

Part 30: Desire and Distance

The first rays of daylight barely filter through the curtains. Phoenix is sitting on the couch, her hair tied back as she tries to wake up. Still in slippers and a robe, half-asleep.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

Phoenix flinches and grumbles softly.

Phoenix:
“Oh no… this early? What is it now…?”

She slips on her slippers, adjusts her robe, and sleepily opens the door.

Standing there is Albatross—fresh, smiling, holding a bag of croissants.

Albatross (deep, relaxed voice):
“Good morning, Phoenix. I thought you might be hungry.”

Phoenix immediately blushes. Her hand instinctively goes to her hair—she always does that when she’s embarrassed.

Phoenix:
“You… here… now? This early? But… I’m still… in a robe…”

Albatross raises an eyebrow playfully.

Albatross:
“I can see that. And it looks very good on you.”

Phoenix almost drops her tea.

Phoenix (muttering):
“G-good…? I mean… um… yes… so… you brought breakfast?”

Albatross:
“Yes. And I thought I’d take you out for tea before we go to the company. We still have time.”

Phoenix quickly closes the door behind her, leans her back against it, and takes a deep breath.

Phoenix (to herself):
“Why does he have to look this good in the morning? Why? Couldn’t he be just a little… less… effective?”

She quickly changes clothes, almost rushing so she won’t keep him waiting.

Phoenix gets into the car.

Albatross looks at her, discreetly takes her in from head to toe, then a soft smile appears on his face.

Albatross:
“You’re beautiful.”

Phoenix’s breath catches.

Phoenix:
“I… I just… threw something on quickly…”

Albatross:
“That doesn’t change it. You’re beautiful.”

Phoenix looks out the window to hide her smile.

The small breakfast place is on a quiet street.

Albatross pulls out a chair for Phoenix.

Phoenix (embarrassed):
“You don’t have to… really… I can…”

Albatross:
“I know. But I like to.”

Phoenix doesn’t know what to say, so she just sits down and mumbles something while nearly choking on her tea.

During breakfast, there’s a constant playful tension between them.

Albatross:
“Last night… you seemed unsettled.”

Phoenix:
“Me?! No… just… well… a lot happened…”

Albatross:
“You can unsettle me anytime.”

Phoenix coughs on her tea.

By the time they arrive, it’s already clear that everyone will notice that certain “something is going on between them” aura.

As they get out of the car, Albatross leans toward Phoenix and says softly:

Albatross:
“Don’t worry. I’ll be by your side today.”

Phoenix (blushing):
“I wasn’t… worried… just… a little…”

Albatross:
“I know.”

As they step through the company doors, every eye turns toward them—and the story is only now beginning to get truly interesting.