Since their professional status as patient and primary physician was first established, there’d been several instances in which the hunter and doctor’s daily schedules aligned; meetings outside of the latter’s workplace in the late evening were frequent, with the two often driving home together.

What had once been a matter of happenstance had evolved naturally into a routine of sorts, with the two often arranging to visit cafés that were promoting some new dessert or sweet drink online. That day was no different, with the two exchanging casual conversation while Zayne’s car glided silently along the streets of Linkon and into the city’s commercial district.

“The young girl’s mother attempted to pacify her by saying that she would be able to have strawberry milk tea, after the check-up. It comforted her, for a brief moment,” He paused, allowing for a lull in conversation filled only by the muted sound of traffic, as his gaze drifted briefly to check the rearview mirror, “Before I said that she couldn’t—since it would affect her blood sugar levels.”

Even if the details of the conversation he’d had with the young patient and her mother were rather mundane, Zayne’s signature dry tone and the cadence in which he spoke were enough to make it charmingly comical. It was, after all, a factual retelling of events that he delivered in a blasé manner.

As they drew closer to their desired destination, the autumn sun was beginning to dip behind the urban skyline: the saffron sky reflecting off the car’s sleek dashboard, washing both driver and passenger in a warm hue.