Kali returned home that night and only had enough energy to walk up her stairs and drag herself to the nearest couch. Work wasn't as hard as the first day she went, but she was still in her transitional period. She was not only working full-time at the office, but she also tried to maintain her previous clients. It was proving difficult, but she was determined to find a balance.

When hunger broke through her exhaustion, she strolled languidly to the kitchen and went straight for the fridge. The first thing that caught her eyes was a large sheet of paper plastered on the body of the fridge with a note written by her sister.

"Yes. I came by without some goods for the fridge. I know you have cooks for that, but I wanted to surprise you. I hope this does surprise you."

Kali opened the fridge, and it didn't take her long to pinpoint what her sister had sneaked in. She smiled and picked up the pie on the first shelf of the fridge.

"Hey." June's peppy answer made Kali smile even more as she picked up a plate and fork.

"Hey, right back."

"You got my surprise?"

"I did." She placed the tray on the table. "When did you learn to make this?"

"A few weeks ago. I have been practising after I found your cookbook in the room."

"What? That's still there?"

"I guess. Quite some interesting recipes you have here."

"They were from college."

"I figured. The book looks ancient." June chuckled. "How's my brother-in-law?"

"Still at work, but don't worry, I'll save some for him." She put the phone on speaker as she began cutting a hefty piece of pie for herself.

"Good. How was your day?"

"Solid. I am getting the hang of waking up to work in an office." Kali began to dig in, taking spoonfuls of the pie and wolfing down the first piece. "Wow. This is great."

"I am glad you like it. Eat decently, now. Don't choke on me."

"Oh, shut it. You have no idea how hungry I am."

"Didn't you pack any lunch today?"

"Sandwiches. They did little for me."

"I see how that's possible." "I'll let you enjoy your meal. I have a date with my television."

"Alright. Goodnight, sweetheart. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Bet on it."

Kali unbuttoned her shirt and took it off, then kicked her shoes to the side of the table. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Samuel walked in.

"Hey." She waved with her fork, and he replied with a grunt. "Come, join me?"

"What's that?"

"Lemon pie. You like?"

"Never had some."

"Seriously?" He nodded and sank into the chair beside her. It gave her a momentary pause of surprise that he sat so close, seeing as he seemed to be avoiding close contact with her all week.

"Is it good?"

"I adore it. It was one of the things I learnt to make when I came to the city because my roommate in college always brought some with her whenever she returned from visiting home. It was delicious."

"I'll take a slice then. I am famished."

She cut a generous slice of pie from the plate and dropped it on her plate. She got another fork and glass cup from the kitchen and handed it to Samuel.

"How was work today?"

"Same as usual." He muttered, a mouthfilled with pie. "Hm. This is good."

"Right?"

"When did you have the time to make this? It looked like you just got back from work."

"I did. June was sweet enough to bring it over. She left that," Kali pointed at the note.

Samuel read the note and smiled. "How often do you scold the poor girl for going out of her to do something for you?"

"I don't."

"Right."

"I don't." She insisted. "Maybe, okay, maybe I give her a hard time. But it's once in a while."

"I am sure. When does she start school?"

"Next week."

"Sebatian's right?"

"Yes."

"And you are sure it's the school that would suit her?"

"I don't have a say, remember? It's a good price for the academic year. It has good reviews, and she seems to think it offers everything she is looking for in a college."

"If she is sure, then she must have done her research." He took some more bites of the pie and downed his glass of juice in a few gulps.

"You look worse off than I am," Kali commented.

"I have this headache that's been killing me since last night." He groaned. "And my shoulder is acting up badly."

"Have you not been sleeping well?" She was immediately on her feet, rushing to her bag to take out the packet of painkillers she kept in her purse.

"Oh, you don't have to..." She was already placing the pills in the crook of his palm and pouring him another glass of juice.

"Take that."

He nodded meekly, taking the pill and thanking her. She only nodded. She stood behind him, digging her finger into the knots of his muscle.

"Maybe you should stop by the hospital?"

She felt him tense as he shook his head. "It doesn't feel that bad, honestly."

"Are you sure?"

He moved away and stood, nodding as he massaged his neck by himself. "Yeah. I think a warm shower will help."

Samuel thanked her for the pie before leaving to take a bath. Disheartened, she watched him leave, then took care of clearing the table. She kept what was left of the pie in the fridge, and washed the dishes before taking her things to the bedroom.

Samuel was still in the shower when she got to their room. Kali changed into her night clothes, reaching for her robe when she stopped herself. Like moths to a flame, she drew closer to the door, pressing her palm against the hardwood.

Not thinking, she rested her forehead against the door and closed her eyes, listening to the water fall on a solid surface. It was faint, but she could also hear whistling. She wished she could force Samuel to admit what she had done for him to erect the wall he kept denying was up. It hurt her to feel like she had done something to offend him. Even worse, she couldn't understand what was so bad that he couldn't just say it to her face.

Kali was lost in her head, and she didn't hear the shower go off or the sound of Samuel's whistling drawing closer and closer. A loud yelp fell out of her when the door suddenly flew open, and she pitched forward.

Samuel, dressed in nothing but a towel and still wet from his bath, had a hard time catching her as her searching hands couldn't hold on to the slippery parts of his skin, so he settled for holding her around the waist and using his upper body to push her back until she stood correctly.

"I am sorry." she stammered, embarrassed. Her eyes drank in the sight of him. The wet strands of hair clinging to the sides of his face. His soft, questioning eyes. "Sorry."

An eyebrow arched, and he looked her up and down. "What are you doing?"

Flustered, she looked over her shoulder and then back at him.

Lie.

"I...I was...I got dizzy and rested my head on the door to catch myself. Must have spaced out for a moment."

"Are you better?"

"Yeah. Just need my robe." She laughed and then snagged one of the jackets from the nearby closet. Slowly, she backed away from the dressing room. "I'll be getting to bed."

"Alright."

Giggling from shock, she threw off her slippers and jumped into bed, turning her back to the door of the dressing room. She yanked the duvet up to her chin. Samuel came out not long after, and she shut her eyes, holding herself still so he didn't think to speak to her. She heard the sheets rub against each other and waited for the room to be plunged into darkness before she opened her eyes.

Peeking, to make sure he wasn't also watching her, she bit her lip to hide her smile. What did she care what he thought of her? If he didn't want to tell her, why did she care to force him?