The moon cast a silvery glow over the lake as you waited to meet Mattheo as usual. However, the usual peace was disrupted by Mattheo's belated arrival, his footsteps heavy and his features etched with weariness.

As you observed his fatigued state, concern tugged at your heart, "Mattheo, is everything alright? You seem more tired than usual."

Mattheo brushed off your observation with a casual wave of his hand. "Oh, it's nothing, just a long day. I'm perfectly fine," he claimed, his tone attempting to mask the evident strain in his eyes.

However, as moments passed in uneasy silence, the still night air was punctuated by the telltale sounds of coughing and sneezing that escaped Mattheo's lips, betraying his facade of wellness.