Főnix

"Az életem új fejezete – Főnix és Albatrossz története."

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  • Phoenix

    Part 37: Quiet Desire

    Night had already fallen when Phoenix and Albatross arrived in front of the apartment building.
    The air was cool, yet somehow warm within the silence between them.

    Phoenix fumbles for her keys in her bag, of course with trembling hands—something she tries very hard to hide.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “How is it that when I actually need them… I can never find them… they were here… I’m sure… somewhere…”

    Albatross watches her with a half-smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
    “Maybe you’re just flustered… and that’s why you can’t find them.”

    Phoenix jerks her head up, her face red.
    “W–why would I be flustered? I’m not flustered! It’s just… just… dark… and cold…”

    Albatross steps closer. Very close. Too close.
    “Should I help you look?”

    Phoenix takes a deep breath, and the keys finally jingle in her hand.
    “No! I’ve got them! See? No problem… everything… is under control…”

    As she finally unlocks the front door, they both pause for a moment.

    Silence.
    A slow, stretching, deepening silence.

    Albatross takes one more step closer.
    Now they’re only a few centimeters apart.

    “It was a good evening,” he says in a deep voice.

    Phoenix lowers her head.
    “Yes… very…”

    Albatross gently lifts Phoenix’s chin so she looks at him.
    Not forcefully—just in a “look at me if you want to” kind of way.

    “I like it when I saw you laugh,” he says softly, that dangerously beautiful half-smile at the corner of his lips.
    “You’re beautiful when you don’t try to be normal.”

    Phoenix’s heart skips a beat.

    “I–I can’t be normal around you,” slips out before she even realizes she’s said it.

    Albatross laughs quietly—not playfully this time, but warmly. Kindly.

    “That’s exactly why I like you,” he says, and for just a second he rests his forehead against hers, as if asking: “Is this okay?”

    Phoenix’s eyes slowly close.

    “Good night, Phoenix…” Albatross whispers.

    “Good night, Albatross…” she answers softly.

    The man slowly steps back, with one last smile.

    Phoenix remains there in the half-open doorway, clutching her chest, her face flushed, muttering:
    “Oh… damn… this man completely gets to me… completely…”

    As Albatross starts down the stairs, he looks back once more.
    He doesn’t say anything.
    His gaze says everything.

    And Phoenix knows:
    This evening… was the beginning of something.

    Phoenix lies in bed, but under the blanket her hands tremble, and she buries her face into the pillow.
    Her thoughts revolve around Albatross, replaying every movement again and again.

    Phoenix (murmuring, almost whispering):
    “Oh… this… this can’t be… why… why does he have this effect on me… it was just a moment… just a moment… and I… I… why did I blush so much?”

    In her memory, Albatross leaned closer to her in the restaurant, his hand gently touched hers, his voice whispered softly and playfully.
    Phoenix’s face turns red again, even beneath the pillow.

    Phoenix (to herself):
    “No… I never thought… this kind of feeling… ever… I don’t understand… I… I really… I’m completely lost…”

    She replays every movement, every glance.
    His laughter, his half-smile… every small gesture of Albatross is right there, as if the very air in the room were filled with him.

    Phoenix slowly sits up in bed, clutching the blanket tighter.
    “What should I do? Tomorrow… tomorrow I’ll surely be this flustered again… I can’t… I can’t be normal…”

    Her thoughts are suddenly interrupted as streetlight reflections shimmer through the window.
    Phoenix takes a deep breath, trying to calm down, but her heart is still racing.

    “Okay… calm down… calm down… I should just sleep… but… but… he… he’s in every thought… every single movement of his…”

    She finally lies back down, but her gaze floats above the bed, as if searching for Albatross.

    Between her heartbeat and her thoughts, tension and desire intertwine.

    In the silence of the room, only her breathing can be heard—
    and the certainty that this night… this feeling…
    is the beginning of something new and unexplainable.

  • Phoenix

    Part 36: Secret Moments

    Albatross keeps leaning close to Phoenix. The air vibrates, and Phoenix grips her fork as if it’s the only thing keeping her alive.

    Phoenix (shyly, muttering):
    “I–it would be… nice… if you sat… a little farther away… because… because like this… it’s hard… to eat.”

    Albatross slowly, very visibly, leans back… then half a second later leans forward again, right into the exact same closeness.

    “Is this better?” he asks in a deep, playful voice.

    Phoenix’s eyes go wide like a startled owl.
    “Y–you’re doing this on purpose!”

    Albatross smiles.
    “Me? Of course not. I just… happen to eat this close. Always.”

    Phoenix can’t take it anymore and bursts out:
    “No one eats this close!”

    Albatross puts on a thoughtful face, rubs his eyebrow, then says softly, with complete seriousness:
    “Maybe my distance sensor was calibrated incorrectly. I might be a factory-defective unit.”

    Phoenix suddenly bursts into laughter. The kind of pure, honest laugh she rarely even hears from herself.

    “You… you’re crazy!” she says, still laughing.

    Albatross looks at her as if it were the most beautiful sound in the world.
    “Hm. Finally. That laugh… I like that.”

    Phoenix tries to calm down, but she’s still giggling.
    “I… I didn’t mean to… laugh… it was just funny, okay?”

    Albatross leans closer again, this time gently, not intrusive, almost tender.
    “Then I’ll malfunction more often… if that’s the reward.”

    Phoenix blushes deeply.
    The laughter slowly softens into a smile.

    Phoenix:
    “Are you… always like this?” she asks quietly.

    Albatross:
    “Like what?” he asks back with a gentle half-smile.

    Phoenix:
    “Like… like… annoyingly… funny… kind… close…” she mutters, almost whispering.

    Albatross answers in a deep voice:
    “Only with you. For some reason… I can’t stay far away from you.”

    Phoenix’s heart skips a beat. The embarrassment returns, but the smile stays on her face.

    “Well… then…” Phoenix lowers her head, “…sometimes you can stay this close.”

    Something warm and playful flashes in Albatross’s eyes.

    “Only sometimes?”

    Phoenix:
    “N–not too often!” she protests immediately, her ears red.
    “Just… sometimes. If… if… you have a good reason.”

    Albatross, slowly, in a deep voice:
    “I do now.”

    Phoenix looks up.
    “What? What’s the reason?”

    Albatross:
    “I like the way you laugh.”

    Phoenix blushes again… but this time she’s smiling.

    She still sits at the table embarrassed, trying to eat, but her hands are shaking, her face is red, and her thoughts are completely tangled.

    Albatross watches her gently, then slowly leans closer again, to that dangerously close distance he always keeps.

    “You know…” he begins softly, with a playful half-smile,
    “If you keep shaking like this, people will think you’re cold… and then they’ll probably bring you a blanket. Or two. Or a whole tent.”

    Phoenix looks up, shocked.
    “What? A tent? Why… why would they bring a tent?!”

    Albatross shrugs, pretending deadly seriousness.
    “Because you look like you might collapse at any moment. Or melt. Or both at the same time. And I wouldn’t want restaurant management to rewrite their safety regulations because of you.”

    Phoenix blinks… then suddenly bursts out laughing.

    “Oh no… don’t say things like that…!” she tries to stop herself, but it’s too late.
    “Collapse?! Melt?! Seriously?! Albatross!”

    Albatross leans back in satisfaction, his smile widening.
    “See? That’s better. At least now you don’t look like someone who was dropped off at the central station and forgot which train to take.”

    Phoenix laughs again.
    “What?! I did NOT look like that!”

    Albatross:
    “Oh yes you did. Exactly like that. You just needed a neon sign that said: ‘Help! Someone is sitting too close!’”

    Phoenix is now laughing out loud. She drops her head into her hand and fans herself to calm down.

    “Oh… Albatross, stop…” she says, still laughing.
    “Don’t do this… I can’t be… normal like this!”

    Albatross slowly leans forward, very close, his voice low, deep, and warm.

    “You know, Phoenix… this is exactly how I like seeing you. When you laugh. When you relax… and when you don’t want to be normal. This is when you’re… truly you.”

    Phoenix’s face turns red again. The laughter fades into a small, soft smile.

    “I… you just… say things like that… and then I can’t…” she mutters, but she’s smiling too.

    Albatross slides his hand a little closer on the table and touches Phoenix’s again.

    “If every sentence I say makes you blush like this, then you’re going to have a very long and very funny evening next to me.”

    Phoenix lowers her head, but another smile hides at the corner of her mouth.

    “It’s your fault… always you…”

    Albatross answers quietly, in a deep voice:
    “And I’m always happy about it.”

    The tension between them is no longer burning—
    it’s warm, soft, and safe.

    Phoenix is no longer just embarrassed.
    She’s happily embarrassed.

    And Albatross enjoys every second of it.

    As they leave the restaurant, Phoenix walks slightly ahead, trying to collect herself. Her face is still warm, her thoughts are messy, and every second moment she looks at Albatross… pretending she isn’t.

    Albatross calmly catches up with long strides and walks beside her. For a while they walk in silence, the city’s evening lights shimmering around them.

    Albatross (soft, deep voice):
    “It was nice… hearing you talk about yourself.”

    Phoenix lowers her head shyly.
    “Yes… you too… and… it felt good… you were just… a bit too close.”

    Albatross smiles.
    “I’m glad.”

    Phoenix freezes.
    “About what?”

    Albatross:
    “That I was too close.”

    Phoenix stops as if she’s hit a wall. Her ears instantly turn red.

    “I… I didn’t mean it like that… just… distracting… but… not bad distracting… more like… the kind of distracting when… when…” her voice trails off.

    Albatross turns toward her and steps closer—so close she can hear his breathing.

    “The kind of distracting that makes your heart beat faster?” he asks softly, with a playful smile.

    Phoenix swallows.
    “I… I don’t… know… maybe… perhaps… yes…” she mutters, staring at her shoes.

    Suddenly Albatross takes Phoenix’s hand. He doesn’t squeeze it—just gently, softly touches it.

    “I like it when I make you flustered like this,” he says deeply.

    Phoenix looks up.
    “But why?”

    Albatross:
    “Because then I see that I matter to you.”

    Phoenix’s eyes widen, the air around her seems to stop.
    “How… how do you know that?”

    Albatross:
    “From the way you look at me. In the studio. In the restaurant. Always. Even when you try to hide it.”

    Phoenix turns away, but Albatross gently touches her chin to turn her back.

    “You don’t have to hide it,” he says softly.

    Phoenix’s voice trembles a little.
    “I… I’m just afraid… that if I let you get close… you’ll disappear.”

    Albatross looks at her seriously, deeply.

    “I’m not going anywhere. If you don’t send me away… I’ll stay.”

    Silence.
    Soft, warm, safe silence.

    Phoenix breathes more slowly, trying to believe what she hears.

    Albatross leans a little closer—but doesn’t touch her, letting Phoenix decide.

    They start walking again side by side.

    Phoenix whispers, barely noticeable, with a small smile:
    “This… is good.”

    Albatross:
    “Yes.”
    And with his thumb, he gently strokes the back of Phoenix’s hand.
    “Exactly like this is good.”

  • Phoenix

    Part 35: Desire and Anger

    The photoshoot ends, the models begin packing up, and the studio grows quiet.
    Lina steps up to Albatross to discuss the final details. She gently runs her hand along Albatross’s arm and gets far too close to him.

    Phoenix sees the scene from the background. Her eyes narrow, her hand clenches into a fist, her heartbeat speeds up.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “Oh… this… this can’t be… she’s too close… yes… way too close…”

    Feeling the jealousy rise, Phoenix suddenly heads toward the exit, wanting to be alone, wanting to calm down.

    But Albatross doesn’t let it happen. He takes Lina’s hand and gently but firmly moves it away.

    Albatross:
    “Lina… that’s enough. We don’t need closeness right now.”

    Phoenix slowly walks out of the studio.

    Albatross glances at Lina for a moment, then rushes after Phoenix. He catches up with her in front of the building and gently grabs her shoulder.

    Albatross:
    “Hey… wait! Where are you going?”

    Phoenix turns back awkwardly, her face red, mumbling.

    Phoenix:
    “I… just… home… I need… some air…”

    Albatross chuckles softly, then speaks in a low, deep voice.

    Albatross:
    “Aren’t you hungry?”

    Phoenix flinches.

    Phoenix:
    “I… yes… starving… actually… very…”

    Albatross (with a half-smile):
    “Then come on… let’s eat. I’m not letting you go home starving.”

    So they head together toward a nearby restaurant. Phoenix is embarrassed the entire way: her face is red, her hands tremble, and every small movement shows how completely overwhelmed she is by Albatross’s closeness.

    Albatross (soft, playful voice):
    “Relax… I’m here. No problem. We’re just walking… and eating… together.”

    Phoenix mutters softly, then slowly smiles, though her face is still burning.

    Phoenix:
    “Yes… together… that… that’s good…”

    The tension continues to vibrate in the air: playful closeness, unspoken feelings, and the lingering echoes of jealousy are all present.

    Albatross and Phoenix enter the cozy, dimly lit restaurant. The waiter greets them kindly, but Phoenix barely notices: her face is red, her eyes are flashing, and every tiny movement shows that she has completely lost control around Albatross.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “Oh… this… this is so embarrassing… and I… I don’t even know… where to look…”

    Albatross, arms crossed, watches her with a half-smile and takes full advantage of the situation.

    Albatross (deep, soft voice, playfully):
    “Relax… we’re just walking, sitting down… I’m not going to eat you, so don’t worry.”

    Phoenix sits down quickly but accidentally pulls her chair too close to Albatross’s, and immediately blushes.

    Phoenix (muttering, hands in her lap):
    “Oh… uh… yes… here… this… is… comfortable… I mean… no… I mean… not uncomfortable…”

    Albatross smiles and studies the menu, though he keeps glancing at Phoenix, his gaze almost “catching” her every moment.

    Albatross (leaning a bit closer, soft, playful voice):
    “So what will you eat? Something with lots of energy so you can survive today?”

    Phoenix blinks awkwardly, gripping the menu.

    Phoenix:
    “I… yes… something… very… I’m starving…”

    Albatross laughs quietly, then pulls out his phone.

    Albatross:
    “Then let the waiter choose something fast and tasty for you… and meanwhile I’ll keep an eye on you, so you don’t starve to death.”

    Phoenix blushes and quickly looks down at her plate, muttering.

    Phoenix:
    “I… you don’t have to… don’t… watch me… I just… want to eat…”

    Albatross leans closer, without being too intrusive, and speaks in a soft, protective voice.

    Albatross:
    “Relax… I’m just here next to you… nothing else.”

    Phoenix’s face is red, her hands tremble, and she tries to seem normal, but every word, every smile, every bit of closeness only heightens the embarrassment and the tension.

    In the air lingers the entire day’s experience: jealousy, unspoken feelings, playfulness, and romance.

    Phoenix (softly muttering to herself):
    “Oh… this… this won’t be easy… all day… and I… I’m very… confused…”

    Albatross just smiles, knowing that Phoenix feels everything intensely—and enjoying that it’s exactly this way.

  • Phoenix

    Part 34: Forbidden Attraction

    After the photoshoot ends, the studio quiets down a little. Phoenix tries to return to her work, organizing her makeup tools, putting creams and brushes back in their places.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “Okay… now… I need to focus… no one’s here… no problem… just work…”

    But Albatross doesn’t move away. Every time Phoenix turns toward a shelf, he “accidentally” stands too close, or slips in behind her to adjust something next to the chair.

    Albatross (deep, soft voice):
    “Can I help with something? Or would you rather just stay close to me?”

    Phoenix (flinching, her hand trembling, muttering):
    “N-no… no need… I… I’m almost done… just… just checking… the… the… everything… yes… everything…”

    Albatross watches every movement with a half-smile, fully aware of his effect.

    Albatross:
    “You’re very focused… or are you just trying not to look at me standing here?”

    Phoenix suddenly turns away so she “won’t see him,” but she feels Albatross’s presence sharply in every movement. Her face turns red with embarrassment, her heartbeat quickens.

    Phoenix (almost whispering, nervously playing with a brush):
    “I’m not… not looking at you… just… the… the work… yes… the work…”

    Albatross slowly stops behind her, just a few centimeters away, and gently touches her shoulder to “help” stabilize the makeup table.

    Albatross:
    “Hm… I see you’re embarrassed even like this… I like it.”

    Phoenix quickly turns away, trying to pull herself together, but her hand trembles on the brush. Albatross watches every small movement and enjoys the playful effect.

    Phoenix (muttering, her face burning red):
    “Oh… this… this won’t be an easy day… for sure… really…”

    Albatross leans a step closer and says in a soft, playful voice:

    Albatross:
    “Relax… it’s just me here. And I’ll stay close to you… so you can see how much I enjoy watching.”

    At that moment, Aylin, another makeup artist who had been working in the background, accidentally walks into the studio and sees the pair standing so close.

    Aylin (surprised, laughing):
    “Oh wow, Phoenix… Albatross… so… something very… interesting is happening here?”

    Phoenix immediately steps back, red patches appearing on her face, her hand nervously reaching for a brush.

    Phoenix:
    “Ah… Aylin! I… no… I mean… just… work… yes… everything’s fine…”

    Albatross looks at Phoenix with a playful half-smile.

    Albatross:
    “See? Even Aylin knows now… and I think that made your mood a little more exciting.”

    Phoenix turns completely red and mutters in a whisper:

    Phoenix:
    “No… it didn’t… this… this is embarrassing… very embarrassing…”

    Aylin just laughs and quickly turns back to her own work, while the playful, romantic tension between Phoenix and Albatross remains in the air.

  • Phoenix

    Part 33: The Wave of Desire

    The photoshoot begins. Albatross steps behind the camera, while Lina walks to the center of the set with graceful movements, noticeably swaying her hips a bit too much.

    Phoenix watches from the background with her arms crossed.

    On her face is that classic expression of “I’m not jealous, I’m just angry at the air.”

    Albatross deliberately plays along.

    Albatross (in a deep voice, giving directions):
    “Lina, turn a little to the right… yes… perfect. Beautiful. That light suits you very well.”

    Lina smiles and steps even closer to him.

    Murat, the assistant, exchanges a glance with Phoenix. He knows what’s coming.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “‘Beautiful… suits you very well’… uh-huh. Sure. The light suits her? Or you? Congratulations… in that kind of light even a lamb would sparkle nicely…”

    Aylin, a colleague, asks softly:
    “Phoenix, are you okay?”

    Phoenix (grinning):
    “Perfectly! Why? What would be wrong? Do I look like something’s wrong? Nothing shows! Nothing at all!”

    Meanwhile, she drops three brushes.

    Aylin:
    “Just… the brushes…”

    Phoenix:
    “Gravity’s fault! Not mine!”

    Albatross escalates.

    He reaches for Lina’s hair to adjust a strand.

    Phoenix freezes as she watches.

    Her eyes split in two, like a hawk’s.

    Lina (in a sweet voice):
    “Is this good, Albatross?”

    Albatross (with a half-smile):
    “Perfect. Exactly like that.”

    Phoenix can’t take it anymore. She walks over—but with fast, rushed steps, as if she might trip at any moment.

    Phoenix:
    “Hi, Lina,” she says in an overly sweet voice.
    “I just thought… I’d freshen up your makeup a bit.”

    Lina:
    “But it was just finished.”

    Phoenix:
    “Yes, but… you know… the lights quickly melt the… the… beauty. And… and… yes, you’re about to melt everywhere! Come, come here quickly!”

    Lina leans in, confused.

    Phoenix deliberately powders her too hard.

    Aylin stifles a laugh in the background.

    Albatross steps closer to Phoenix—so close that Phoenix mixes up two brushes again.

    Albatross:
    “Everything okay, Phoenix?” he asks in a deep, slow, provocative voice.

    Phoenix:
    “Of course! Why wouldn’t it be? Why, does it look like something’s wrong with me? I’m not… I’m not… anything!”

    Albatross (smiling):
    “I see you’re paying very close attention to the shoot.”

    Phoenix (stammering):
    “Me? Just… professional… interest… you know… makeup… light… sparkle… too much sparkle… maybe Lina is just a bit too…”

    Albatross leans even closer so only she can hear him.

    Albatross:
    “You can say it. You’re jealous.”

    Phoenix nearly chokes on air.

    Phoenix:
    “Me?! No! I’m just… just accidentally… worried! About Lina’s skin… and… the sparkle… and the… sparkly… things!”

    Albatross (softly, deeply):
    “You’re very cute when you get this flustered.”

    Phoenix turns red.

    Phoenix:
    “I’m not flustered. I’m just… hot. Because of the lights. Or because of you. Or both? Oh God…”

    And then Albatross delivers the final blow.

    Albatross (calling out loudly):
    “Lina—we’ll do a few close-up portraits as well. Come here, a little closer to me.”

    Phoenix’s eyes almost burst into flames.

    Then she takes a deep breath and speaks confidently:

    Phoenix:
    “I’LL be there too!”

    Everyone turns toward her.

    Albatross:
    “Here?”

    Phoenix:
    “Yes! Professional supervision! So the makeup… doesn’t sparkle… or sparkles too much… or… I don’t know! But I’ll be there!”

    The crew almost bursts out laughing.

    Albatross smiles like this was exactly his goal.

    Albatross:
    “Alright, Phoenix,” he says slowly.
    “Then stay close to me.”

    Phoenix completely freezes.

    Phoenix:
    “Close… to you?
    You mean… very close?
    Or… moderately?
    Because if very close… then maybe… um… the light will be disturbing…”

    Albatross:
    “I don’t disturb you.
    But you disturb me very much.”

    Phoenix:
    “O–oh…”

  • Phoenix

    Part 32: Captive to the Heart

    In the studio, preparations before the photoshoot begin. The models are already lining up. Phoenix is adjusting a makeup look when she notices:

    One of the models—a beautiful, confident woman, Lina—is smiling far too much at Albatross.
    And what’s worse…

    Albatross smiles back.

    Phoenix’s eyes narrow. Her hand trembles, and a bit too much highlighter ends up on Lina’s face.

    Lina (slightly surprised):
    “Uh… isn’t this going to be a bit too much?”

    Phoenix (with a forced smile):
    “No! It’s perfect! You’ll shine… like a… like a… star explosion!”

    Albatross stands nearby with his arms crossed, enjoying the scene.

    Lina steps closer to him:

    Lina:
    “Albatross, you’ll tell me which pose works best, right? You know, last time we worked so well together…”

    Phoenix’s ear twitches like a radar.

    She steps closer—slowly, very suspiciously.

    Phoenix (without a smile, tense voice):
    “Hi. We’re done with the makeup. Yes. Done. Perfect. You can go… take photos. Right away. Now.”

    Lina leaves, and Phoenix stands in front of Albatross with her arms crossed.

    Albatross (with a half-smile):
    “Is there a problem?”

    Phoenix (muttering quickly, nervously):
    “Me? No! No problem! What would be? Just… just… you smiled… interestingly. Yes. Interestingly. Very interestingly.”

    Albatross steps closer.
    Too close.

    Albatross:
    “Interestingly… or jealously?”

    Phoenix’s eyes widen.

    Phoenix:
    “W–what? Me? Jealous? No! I was just… looking professionally! The pose… or the light… or the… whatever.”

    Albatross (slowly, deep voice):
    “Which ‘whatever’?”

    Phoenix stammers, nervously playing with her brush.

    Phoenix:
    “Well… that… whatever… that happened there… you know… when… she smiled at you… and you… smiled back…”

    Albatross smiles. That dangerously sweet smile.

    Albatross:
    “So you saw it.”

    Phoenix:
    “I… I wasn’t looking… I just… I just saw it because the scene crawled right in front of me!”

    Albatross laughs, then gently lifts Phoenix’s chin with a fingertip.

    Albatross:
    “Why are you nervous, Phoenix?”

    Phoenix flinches and turns as red as the lipstick she applied minutes ago.

    Phoenix:
    “I… I’m not nervous… this… this is… just a slight fever… yes… definitely because of the lights…”

    Albatross steps even closer, only inches away.

    Albatross:
    “I like it when you’re jealous.”

    Phoenix can barely breathe.

    Phoenix:
    “I’m not jealous… just… professional concern… yes. That exists too. Maybe. I mean… from now on it does.”

    Albatross (softly, playfully):
    “Alright. If it’s professional… then I’ll stay close to you a bit longer. Just in case you ‘accidentally’ start worrying about my work again.”

    Phoenix turns away, but her ears are bright red.

    Phoenix:
    “Don’t stay close to me… I mean, stay… but not too close… or maybe… oh no…”

    Albatross just smiles.

    Exactly the way he does when Phoenix completely falls apart because of him.

  • Phoenix

    Part 31: The Weight of the Air

    Albatross and Phoenix step through the company’s elegant glass doors. Phoenix nervously adjusts her hair as they head toward their department, in the direction of the studio.

    As they pass the reception desk, several employees exchange glances. As if a bit of gossip is already spreading.

    Phoenix (muttering):
    “Oh my God… I must… I must look like I ran here. Or like I’m half-asleep. Or both… and… why is everyone looking at us?”

    Albatross suppresses a smile, leans slightly toward her so only she can hear him:

    Albatross:
    “Because you’re beautiful, even in the morning.”

    Phoenix stops short, blushing from head to toe.

    Phoenix:
    “Me? In the morning? Sometimes even my own mirror gets scared of me… seriously…”

    Albatross laughs softly, then gently guides her toward the studio.

    In the cosmetics department

    Phoenix prepares the models for the advertising shoot

    Phoenix is in the studio, applying makeup to the models for the advertising photo shoot. With Albatross so close, nothing seems to go smoothly.

    When she sets the blush palette on the table, she nearly drops the brushes, accidentally spilling several tools onto the floor.

    Of course, Albatross sees it. And every time, he appears right behind her. Too close.

    Albatross (deep, quiet voice):
    “Should I help?”

    Phoenix flinches.

    Phoenix:
    “N-no! I was almost done…”

    Albatross:
    “I can see that. So intensely that all the brushes fell.”

    Phoenix lowers her gaze, her voice soft.

    Phoenix:
    “Sometimes… I mean often… it happens… when you’re nearby.”

    Albatross watches her with a half-smile.

    Albatross:
    “Hm. I see. Then I’ll stay nearby.”

    Phoenix’s face turns as red as freshly applied lipstick.

    Female colleague:
    “Albatross, the shoot starts in ten minutes!”

    Albatross nods, but doesn’t take his eyes off Phoenix.

    Albatross (gentle, deep voice):
    “Until then… try not to knock anything over, alright?”

    Phoenix (muttering, embarrassed):
    “I’ll try… although… I can’t promise anything…”

    A smile appears at the corner of Albatross’s lips—exactly the kind of smile that makes Phoenix barely able to breathe.

  • 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.

  • Phoenix

    Part 29: Among Burning Shadows

    The car slowly comes to a stop in front of Phoenix’s house. The street is quiet, the evening lights reflecting off the windows.

    Albatross (deep, soft, masculine voice):
    “We’ve arrived.”

    Phoenix, slightly blushing, sits nervously in the car.

    Phoenix (stammering):
    “Y-yes… thank you for bringing me home… for… well… um… yes…”

    Albatross glances sideways at her, his gaze protective, caring, yet playful.

    As Phoenix tries to get out, she notices that her seatbelt is stuck. She struggles awkwardly, but it won’t come loose.

    Phoenix:
    “Ah… no… it won’t… oh…”

    Albatross slowly, calmly reaches over. His voice is soft and protective.

    Albatross:
    “Let it go… I’ll help.”

    Gently, but firmly, he releases the seatbelt. The movement is filled with tension and unspoken emotion.

    Phoenix (blushing, embarrassed):
    “Th-thank you… really…”

    Albatross:
    “It’s alright. Calm down.”

    Phoenix slowly opens the door and steps out of the car. Red patches appear on her face, her heart racing.

    Albatross watches her from the side, following every movement, his gaze full of protectiveness and desire.

    Phoenix enters her apartment, closing the door with a soft click. She takes a deep breath, then slowly sits down on the edge of the bed. She takes off her coat, pushes her shoes aside, her hands still trembling slightly after what happened in the car.

    Phoenix (whispering to herself):
    “Oh… today… what happened today…?”

    She sits at her desk and opens her diary. The pen rests in her hand, but she pauses for a moment—her thoughts are still with Albatross. Her heartbeat quickens as she begins to write her feelings.

    Phoenix (writing, inner thought):
    “Today… Aras… tried to invite me for tea… but… no… I didn’t want to… and Albatross… he brought me home… helped with my seatbelt… he was so close… so very close… and… I… didn’t know what to do… but it felt good… it felt so safe… and strange… but exciting too…”

    Phoenix pauses for a moment and slowly looks out the window toward the street. The stars shine faintly. She takes a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts.

    Phoenix (to herself, with a small smile):
    “I never thought I would feel like this… but… he really is special. So close, and yet… so far.”

    She writes again in her diary:

    “Today was… strange… exciting… full of tension… Albatross’s gaze… and his smile… every small movement… hard to forget.”

    Phoenix slowly lowers the pen, leans back in the chair, and closes her eyes for a moment. Her heartbeat gradually calms, but the memories and the tension still vibrate in the air.

    Phoenix (whispering to herself):
    “Tomorrow… maybe… I’ll see him again…”

    A soft sigh leaves her lips as she slowly closes the diary.

  • Phoenix

    Part 28: On the Edge of Hearts

    The car rolls quietly through the evening lights. Phoenix looks out the window, but meanwhile she steals glances at Albatross—of course clumsily, and she always gets caught.

    Albatross glances sideways, a faint smile on his face.

    Albatross:
    “If you’re really tired… why didn’t you say something so I could have taken you home earlier?”

    Phoenix startles, stammers, gets flustered.

    Phoenix:
    “Well… I… I didn’t want to bother you! And… you’re always busy! And… anyway… there’s the bus… and… the universe will figure it out… or something…”

    Albatross laughs.

    Albatross:
    “The universe? Seriously? Phoenix… you could ask me for anything.”

    Phoenix tenses, blushes. She pauses for a few seconds, then mutters.

    Phoenix:
    “I just… didn’t think that… it mattered to you where I go…”

    Albatross’s eyes flash. That deep, sincere of course it matters look.

    Albatross:
    “It matters.”

    Phoenix freezes.

    Phoenix:
    “What?”

    Albatross (more slowly):
    “It matters where you go.
    Who you go with.
    Who you have TEA with.”

    Phoenix turns her head away, nervously fiddling with the seatbelt buckle.

    Phoenix:
    “Let’s not start with the tea again…”

    Albatross:
    “Yes. The tea.”
    (pause)
    “I wouldn’t have liked it if you went with someone else.”

    Phoenix bites her lip. It’s obvious she’s embarrassed.

    Phoenix:
    “I… I canceled. I already told you. I’m tired.”

    Albatross watches her with his head slightly tilted.

    Albatross:
    “Did you cancel only because you were tired… or was there another reason too?”

    Phoenix stammers, waving her hands.

    Phoenix:
    “Well… maybe… there was another reason too. But I’m not telling you. Because you don’t need to know.”

    The car continues to roll slowly. Phoenix smiles, but tries to hide it.

    Albatross glances at her, and everything is there in his gaze: protectiveness, desire, unspoken feeling.

    Albatross:
    “Tomorrow… if you’re not tired… would you like to have a drink?”
    (a small playful half-smile)
    “Tea too, if you want.”

    Phoenix lifts her head, her eyes shining.

    Phoenix:
    “Maybe… with you… I like tea.”

    Albatross laughs—slowly, deeply, satisfied.

    Albatross:
    “Good. Then tomorrow.”
    (a look full of emotion)
    “Only with me.”

    Phoenix blushes, but nods.