Alina placed her phone down with a soft exhale, only to hear the door burst open. Aiden stood there, slightly out of breath like he had hurried inside. Her face lit up the moment she saw him.

Without hesitation, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a warm hug. The sudden affection caught him off guard. He didn’t hug her back right away, but he didn’t move away either.

"Come on," she said softly. "Let’s eat first… you can freshen up later, ...