Trust

Mira followed Alex into the living room, the awkwardness of the door encounter still lingering. Alex closed the door behind them, his mind racing with thoughts of how to explain his absence and the lecture without revealing too much. 

He had spent the past few months guarding his secret, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to share it yet.

He offered her a seat on the couch, which she took, and then sat across from her in an armchair. Mira's eyes were curious, studying his face intently.

"I didn't see you this morning, did you go somewhere?" she asked again, her tone casual but tinged with genuine concern.

Alex hesitated, trying to formulate a response. But as he looked at Mira, he realised that evading her questions would only lead to more suspicion. He needed to make a decision, one that could potentially change the course of their relationship forever.