A new day dawned, sunlight streaming through the curtains and casting a warm glow on the room. Ember stirred, the softness of the sheets and the peaceful rhythm of her surroundings coaxing her from sleep. Her eyes fell on Dylan, lying beside her, his features calm and relaxed. A rush of memories from the previous night flooded her mind, and a deep blush crept up her cheeks at the thought of falling asleep next to him.
She stole a glance at him, noticing he was on the brink of waking. In a panic, Ember quickly closed her eyes and lay still, pretending to be asleep. Her heart raced, wild with the fear of being caught. Was he aware that I was awake? she wondered.
Dylan stirred moments later, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked at Ember, still resting beside him, her face serene in sleep. He couldn't help but admire her, the morning light softening the features of her face. Gently, he reached out, playing with a strand of her hair as if memorizing the way it felt between his fingers. He leaned in and pressed a soft, tender kiss to her forehead, savoring the moment. Then, as quietly as he could, he slipped out of bed, heading toward the bathroom.
As soon as he was gone, Ember's heart fluttered wildly. His kiss… she thought, pulling the blanket over her face to hide the flush that now stained her cheeks. She sighed in a mix of embarrassment and joy, the warmth of the memory still lingering. Before she could collect her thoughts, sleep claimed her once more.
Dylan returned from the bathroom, now dressed in a bathrobe, and noticed Ember still lying in bed. Her face, however, was a brilliant shade of red, as if the warmth of her emotions had painted it with a touch of fire. Concern creased his brow. He approached, his hand instinctively reaching to touch her forehead, feeling for any sign of fever. But as he gently pressed his forehead against hers, a droplet of water from his still-wet hair fell onto her cheek, causing Ember to wake with a start.
Their faces were inches apart. Ember's mind was still heavy with sleep, the blurry edges of her dreams refusing to fade just yet. She smiled, her heart racing, unsure if she was still caught in the web of her dream or if this was real. She wrapped her arms around Dylan instinctively, the warmth of his body overwhelming her senses.
Her eyes snapped open, and the reality hit her—this wasn't a dream. He was real, and he was right here, in her arms. Shocked, Ember tried to push him away, but her body couldn't summon enough strength to create much space between them. Their eyes met, locking in a moment that seemed to stretch for eternity. Dylan's lips curled into a teasing smile, and with a playful glint in his eyes, he said softly, "You're quite active this morning."
Flustered, Ember quickly covered her face with both hands, her voice trembling as she stammered, "No, I'm not!" Her embarrassment only made Dylan's smile widen, amusement dancing in his eyes. He gently pulled her hands away, revealing her flushed face, and leaned in closer. Ember's heart hammered in her chest as he moved toward her lips. Slowly, she closed her eyes, bracing herself for the kiss she had longed for. But just before their lips could meet, he paused, leaving her breathless and yearning.
Sensing her desire, Dylan placed a hand over her eyes, blocking out the world, and finally, he captured her lips with his. The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, the emotions swirling between them like a storm. It felt timeless, perfect, until the moment was shattered by a knock at the door.
Reluctantly, their lips parted, and Dylan's fingers tenderly brushed through Ember's hair. "Don't dress in your uniform today," he said with a soft smile, his eyes filled with something Ember couldn't quite name. "We're going somewhere different." And with that, he left the room, leaving Ember to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.
After freshening up, Ember chose to wear a flowing white pinafore over a sheer blue blouse with billowy sleeves. Her dark hair is styled in a loose updo, with soft strands framing her face, adding to her effortlessly elegant charm. A simple pearl necklace and pearl earrings highlight her refined taste, while a small textured handbag with a butterfly embellishment completes the look. She made her way downstairs for breakfast, finding Dylan already seated at the dining table, his demeanor calm and collected . his outfit is effortlessly stylish, exuding a relaxed yet refined charm. He wears a loosely buttoned blue-striped shirt, its airy fit adding to his carefree elegance. Paired with high-waisted tan trousers, the look balances comfort and sophistication. They ate in silence, the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. When they finished, they headed out.
On the way, Dylan turned to her, his voice steady but warm. "We're going to finish the photoshoot we left halfway through before." Ember nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement. When they arrived at the set, Emir greeted them with a bright smile and introduced an actress who hadn't been there the other day. Dylan began preparing for the shoot, his focus entirely on his work. Ember sat in a chair beside him, quietly observing as he adjusted his hair and prepared himself for the session.
Before diving into the shoot, Dylan leaned down and kissed Ember's forehead tenderly, his voice low but firm. "Rest here, or you can come to the set if you want, but don't wander too far. It's hard to find you, okay? Make sure you have your phone."
Ember smiled, feeling the weight of his words and his affection. "Okay," she replied, watching him with a soft, affectionate gaze as he returned to his work.
The day was long and busy, with Dylan barely having time to spare for her. But Ember understood—she knew how important this photoshoot was for both Dylan and Emir's careers. So, she sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the process, taking in the intricacies of the work, while her heart remained tethered to Dylan, even from afar.
Ember's phone buzzed, the sudden vibration startling her. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was a call from Adrien. Confused, she couldn't remember when she had given him her number in the first place. Before she could decide what to do, a soft voice whispered in her ear, "Are you going to take forever to answer that?"
She spun around, her heart skipping a beat, and found Adrien standing behind her, his presence unexpected but not unwelcome.
"You said you wouldn't talk to me, but I gave you enough time to think it over," he said, his tone calm, almost too calm.
Ember let out a long sigh, guilt beginning to settle in her chest. "I'm sorry about the other day. I wasn't in my right mind." The words felt sincere, though tinged with the embarrassment of how she had reacted.
Adrien smiled softly, the tension in his face easing. "It's okay. Let's go somewhere else so we don't disturb them," he suggested, nodding toward the ongoing shoot.
Ember nodded in agreement, grateful for the change of scenery. They walked to a nearby coffee shop, the cool air brushing against her skin as they made their way inside. Once seated, Adrien studied her intently, his gaze serious. "Are you feeling better now?"
She offered him a gentle smile, hoping to ease his concern. "Don't worry about me. That day was... just a lot. I was overwhelmed." Ember's voice was quiet, as though the memory of the chaos was still fresh.
Adrien's expression softened, his concern lingering but tempered by understanding. "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
"I'm here with Dylan for the shoot. What about you?" Ember replied, her own curiosity piqued.
Adrien's smile remained unchanged as he answered, "I'm here for some shoots too."
"You're an actor as well?" Ember asked, a bit surprised at his casual mention of shoots.
He shook his head, a subtle laugh escaping him. "No, I'm not an actor. I'm a scientist. I'm doing research on humans and time travel."
Ember's eyes widened in disbelief, and then, unable to hold it back, she let out a small laugh. "A scientist?" she repeated, her amusement bubbling over.
Adrien frowned slightly, his brow furrowing with a hint of discomfort. "It's a bit disrespectful to laugh at someone's profession, don't you think?"
Ember quickly covered her mouth, realizing how her laughter might have sounded. "Sorry, sorry! But... I just can't imagine someone like you being a scientist."
Adrien raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her reaction. "Someone like me?" he asked, his tone playful but also curious. "What do you mean?"
"You're just... too handsome. I thought for sure you were an actor, especially since all your friends are in that field," Ember explained, still giggling. She hadn't meant to say it so bluntly, but the words had already slipped out.
Adrien's lips curled into a smirk, amusement flickering in his eyes. "So you think I'm handsome, huh?" he teased, standing up dramatically as if to bask in the attention of the room.
Ember's face turned scarlet. Why did he have to be so dramatic? She glanced around, noticing the curious stares of the other customers, and quickly leaned forward. "Sit down!" she whispered urgently, trying to make herself smaller in embarrassment.
Still grinning, Adrien lowered himself back into his seat, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. He tilted his head slightly, watching her with interest. "So... do you think you'll date me?" he asked, his tone lighthearted but carrying an undertone of curiosity.
Ember nearly choked on her drink, coughing as she processed his words. "No! I'm not planning to break up with Dylan," she said firmly, shaking her head.
Adrien chuckled, his playful demeanor shifting into something gentler. "Okay, I respect that. But... you know, I'll always be here if you need me." His voice was softer now, sincere.
Ember's lips curved into a warm smile. It was comforting to know that, despite his teasing, he genuinely cared. "Thank you, Adrien. You're a good friend."
For a moment, his expression softened further, but there was something unreadable in his gaze—something fleeting yet profound. He hesitated before speaking again. "If you're comfortable, can you tell me how you and Dylan met? How did it all happen?"
Ember hesitated, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her cup. There were things she had never spoken aloud before—things that still felt like a dream. Finally, she looked up at him and smiled. "We're friends now, so I can tell you. But... I don't think you'll believe me if I do."
Adrien let out a soft chuckle, leaning back in his chair. "It's not like you teleported here from space, right?" he joked, his smirk returning.
Ember laughed, but deep inside, she wondered. If only he knew how unreal her story truly was.
Ember sighed softly, her gaze locking onto Adrien's with a newfound seriousness. "You're right. I did teleport here... but not from space—from my hometown."
Adrien's lips twitched as if he were about to laugh, but the gravity in Ember's expression stopped him. Instead, he straightened, his curiosity evident. "How? Did you know something?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue.
Ember shook her head, a deep uncertainty settling in her chest. "I don't know," she admitted, her fingers tightening slightly around her cup. "Do you think I'm just making up stories?" Her voice wavered, unsure of how he would respond.
Adrien leaned forward, his expression unreadable, but there was no doubt in his voice. "No, not at all. In fact, if you don't mind, could you explain more? This is something I find fascinating. It's actually the topic of my research." His excitement was growing, and Ember could see the scientist in him taking over.
For a moment, she hesitated. But then, she remembered—Adrien was a scientist. Of course, he would be interested in something like this. Deciding to trust him, she took a deep breath and began to tell him everything.
She described the night she had woken up in Dylan's house, how he had found her in the garden, confused and lost. She explained how, every time she fell asleep in this world, she would wake up back in her hometown, only to return here again once she drifted off there. It was an endless cycle—one she still didn't fully understand.
Adrien listened intently, his full concentration on her, his mind clearly processing every word. After a moment, he leaned in slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Has anything unusual been happening to your body because of this?"
Ember hesitated before nodding slowly. "I've had headaches sometimes... and the injuries I get here, like small cuts and bruises, they also appear on me when I wake up back home. But when I come back here, my clothes are always changed."
Adrien's eyes darkened with thought, his fingers tapping against the table. There was a spark of excitement in them, but also something deeper—concern. "That means your consciousness isn't the only thing shifting between worlds. Your body is being affected, too."
Ember swallowed, the reality of it all sinking in. Whatever was happening to her... it was real. And maybe, just maybe, Adrien could help her figure out why.
Adrien frowned slightly, absorbing everything she had just told him. His mind was clearly racing as he tried to make sense of it all. "What was the date when you first came here?" he asked, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.
"July 1st, this year," Ember replied softly, her mind drifting back to that strange and life-changing day.
Adrien nodded, deep in thought. After a brief pause, he turned his gaze back to her. "If you experience any difficulties or notice any more changes, please tell me. I'd like to conduct some research on your situation—if you're okay with that."
Ember hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. The thought of being part of a scientific study, even one led by someone she trusted, made her nervous. But at the same time, Adrien might be the only person who could help her understand what was happening. After a moment, she sighed and nodded. "You can... but please don't tell anyone about this. And don't use my name in your research."
Adrien's expression softened, a hint of relief flashing across his face. "I promise," he said sincerely. Then, his brows furrowed slightly as he added, "Also, if anything unusual appears on your body again—any new bruises, marks, anything—please let me know. It could be important."
Ember tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Why?"
Adrien leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but firm. "The medium between where you are and where you go could be connected to your physical body. Any change could provide more clues. If we track the patterns, we might get closer to understanding how this is happening."
Ember nodded slowly, realizing how important it was to pay attention to even the smallest details. The whole situation felt unreal, but if anyone could help her make sense of it, it was Adrien.
Just then, he glanced down at the table and chuckled. "We've been talking so much, and we didn't even order anything! What would you like?"
Ember smiled, grateful for the brief shift in conversation. "A juice will do just fine."
Adrien nodded and stood up to place the order, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Just as he walked away, Ember's phone buzzed in her hand.
Dylan was calling.