Chapter 193: Absence makes the heart grow fonder

"Oh, dear. Come here. I missed you so much!" Marianne pulled Fil into her embrace the second the latter opened the door for her. "I thought I would never see you again."

Fil chuckled as she patted Marianne's back. "That would never happen."

"Aww." Marianne pulled away, holding Fil's shoulder. She assessed Fil's face, her eyes going up and down. "Did you lose weight?"

"Did you think I lost weight?"

"No. Actually, you look…" Marianne trailed off as she thought of the right words. "... healthier."

The corner of Fil's lips stretched as she giggled. "I'm working out."

"You are?"

"Working abroad isn't easy, you know?"

"Working abroad is easy. What makes it hard is that you're away from your family and friends."

"Good thing I've been working away from my parent's home that I got used to it." Fil winked at her playfully. "And also, it's not friends, just a friend."

Marianne smiled in satisfaction, moved by her correction.