They arrive at Oliver’s

As we approached the familiar steps to my apartment, the silence between us grew thicker, almost tangible. Zoe hesitated for a moment before following me inside, her eyes scanning the dimly lit room with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The air inside was stale, heavy with the scent of old books and yesterday's coffee. I closed the door behind us, the sound echoing softly, and leaned against it, watching her. She moved to the window, her silhouette framed by the faint glow of the city below, her posture stiff yet graceful.

She turned abruptly, her eyes catching mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. The dim light danced across her face, accentuating the sharp angles of her features and the faint furrow between her brows. "You're really going through with it, aren't you?" she asked, her voice low and steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of something unspoken. I nodded, the movement feeling heavier than I intended, and she took a step closer, the air between us shrinking until it felt like a live wire, charged and unpredictable.

The air seemed to thicken as I stepped closer, my voice steady yet tinged with a desperation I couldn't hide. "Forget Markus," I said, the words tumbling out with a **** that surprised even me. "Forget everything you think you feel for him. Love me instead." Zoe's eyes widened, a flicker of shock crossing her face before it smoothed into an unreadable mask. She took a step back, the distance between us feeling like a chasm.

Zoe's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and when they opened again, they seemed to hold a different light, a softness that hadn't been there before. Her gaze met mine, steady and unyielding, and I could see the faintest shimmer of tears welling up at the edges. She took a step closer, the space between us narrowing until I could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin. "I don't need to forget," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, each syllable sharp and unyielding. I felt the weight of them settle deep within my chest, a mix of relief and dread swirling in their wake. Zoe's gaze never wavered, her eyes holding a determination that made my heart race. She took another step closer, the distance between us now a mere whisper, and I could see the faint tremble of her lips as she spoke again. "I don't need to forget because my heart isn't bound to Markus. It's bound to you," she said, her voice steady but laced with a vulnerability that made my breath catch.