After what felt like an eternity, Andrew's hand gently rested on my back, soothingly stroking me as he murmured, "It's okay. I'm here. We'll be out of here soon…"
As I nestled against him, listening to his comforting words, a memory from years ago flashed through my mind.
That boy had said something similar. "Don't be scared, Lily. I'll get you out…"
Just as I was lost in that recollection, the door swung open, flooding the room with blinding light. I squinted, my head spinning slightly.
"Lily, are you okay?" Rick burst in, and his eyes widened at the sight of me wrapped up in Andrew's embrace.
In the corner, the NPC playing the ghost looked utterly bewildered.
"What the… you two?" Rick stammered, clearly shocked into silence.
I shot up from Andrew's arms, waving my hands frantically. "It's not what you think! I was just scared, and he was comforting me! Don't go telling Mom and Dad!" I dragged Rick aside, whispering about how we needed to keep this under wraps.
Meanwhile, Andrew stood off to the side, quietly observing the entire scene. I didn't catch what he muttered under his breath, drowned out by Rick's commotion. "Looks like she really doesn't remember me at all…"
After the chaos of the escape room, Andrew had shielded me from the scare that nearly made me bolt for the walls.
For the next month, I attended his classes, showing up on time and keeping my head down.
He didn't bother me anymore, and for a while, everything seemed calm.
But the calm was just the eye of the storm.
On Sunday, I went to the package station to pick up my deliveries.
I had hoarded so many items that I ended up wheeling a small cart home.
As I passed by Andrew's building, I spotted a delivery guy heading upstairs.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I exchanged a quick glance with him. That was my first mistake.
The delivery guy mistook me for some other delivery guy and approached me with a wide grin. "Hey! There's a package upstairs that needs to be delivered right to the door. I'm in a rush to get to the hospital—my wife's about to give birth! Can you help me out and take it up?"
My focus zeroed in on the words "give birth."
Determined to make sure he got to see his kid born, I nodded vigorously and assured him I'd handle it.
But once he left, my smile froze when I glanced at the recipient's name on the package.
Andrew.
I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and looked again. Yep, still, Andrew.