At exactly 7:48 a.m., Zach strolled out of his room, fully expecting to find Ava somewhere near the door—hair pinned, bag in hand, her eyes half-rolling at him since she stormed out earlier.
But today? Silence.
His steps slowed. He blinked. No Ava.
He turned to Butler Eduardo. "Where is she?"
"Lady Eva left ten minutes ago, My Lord."
Zach blinked again. "Without our ki—" he blinked, stopping himself from saying the word.
Butler Eduardo nodded, folding his hands behind his back. "Yes, My Lord."
Zach looked vaguely betrayed. "But… we..." he sighed and shrugged the thought off.
Butler Eduardo gave him a single pat on the shoulder before walking away muttering something about "droughts in affection due to emotional desertification."
Later that morning, somewhere between sulking and Googling how to apologize without sounding guilty, Zach decided to text her.
"Good day, Lady Summers. Perhaps, do you have any free time at noon? May I pick you up for lunch?"
He waited.
