Reborn To Love You

Ch. 03: Too Close for Comfort

Claire stared at him for a moment.

So handsome...

There was something about him now-

A maturity.

A quiet confidence.

For a brief second-

Her gaze softened.

Then she looked away.

She remembered-

Back in high school,

He used to visit often.

But she had been too focused on studying.

Too busy to notice when he left to study abroad.

Only later-

Did she realize something was missing.

"How's life abroad?"

"When did you come back?"

"How long are you staying?"

She asked quickly.

Almost too quickly.

Trying to hide something.

Even she didn't understand.

Alex looked at her quietly before answering.

"It's been fine. I came back this morning. And this time..."

He paused slightly.

"I'm staying for good. I plan to build my career here."

His eyes never left her.

Every small change in her expression-

Pulled at his heart.

"Does my brother know?"

she asked.

"Yeah...He'll be here soon. He went out to buy spicy chicken."

"...Oh."

Silence fell between them.

Awkward.

Heavy.

And filled with something neither of them was ready to name.

A few minutes later—

A loud knock echoed through the unit

.

“Oi! Open up!”

Claire instantly recognized the voice.

She walked to the door and opened it.

Clayton Kensley stood there, grinning, holding several boxes with a familiar logo printed on them.

The moment the lid shifted slightly—

The rich, savory aroma of fried chicken filled the air.

Claire’s eyes lit up.

“How many did you buy?” she asked eagerly.

“You got mine too, right?”

Clayton raised an eyebrow.

“Relax. I got two just for you.”

“Yay! You really are the best big brother!”

She quickly grabbed one of the boxes and walked inside like she had just won a prize.

Behind her, Clayton stepped in—

Only to pause when he saw Alex.

“…You’re still here?”

Alex leaned casually against the table.

“Why? Am I not welcome?”

Clayton smirked.

“You are. I’m just surprised you didn’t go home. It’s literally ten steps away.”

Claire ignored them.

She was already tying her long hair into a messy bun, rolling up her sleeves like she was preparing for battle.

She grabbed a can of beer.

Then plastic gloves.

Within seconds—

The center table was filled with food.

She sat cross-legged on the carpet.

Focused.

Serious.

Like this was the most important mission of her life.

Alex watched her, amused.

“…You’re really treating this seriously.”

Claire didn’t even look at him.

“This is serious.”

She suddenly tapped his thigh.

“Move.”

Alex froze.

“…What?”

“Move.”

He shifted slightly—

And in the next second, Claire reached behind him and pulled out the remote buried in the couch.

She turned on a variety show.

Sat back down.

And without hesitation—

Tore into a piece of chicken.

“Here.”

She handed a drumstick to Alex.

“Welcome gift.”

Alex stared at it.

Then at her.

“…Thanks.”

He accepted it slowly.

Clayton stood there, watching the two of them.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Something…

Felt different.

Claire laughed softly at something on the TV.

Her smile was bright.

Unrestrained.

Alex’s gaze lingered on her.

Too long.

Too focused..

Clayton noticed.

Ah… so it’s still like this.

He shook his head slightly and joined them.

The three of them ate together—

But the atmosphere…

Was not the same for everyone.

Claire was fully immersed in eating and watching.

Alex—

Was watching her.

And Clayton—

Was watching both of them.

After a while, Claire suddenly spoke—

“Why are you both staring at me like that?”

She frowned.

“I’m stress-eating, okay?..I just broke up with my boyfriend today. Just eat and don’t mind me.”

The room fell silent for a second.

Clayton slowly turned to Alex.

Alex’s hand tightened slightly around the chicken.

“…You broke up?” Clayton asked carefully.

Claire shrugged.

“Yeah.”

She said it casually—

But her eyes flickered for a moment.

Alex noticed.

His chest tightened.

But at the same time—

A quiet sense of relief rose within him.

Clayton leaned back slightly.

“Well… that explains your appetite.”

Claire glared at him.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Nope,” he said quickly.

She huffed and continued eating.

Still—

Something felt off.

After a few minutes—

She suddenly stopped.

Her appetite disappeared as quickly as it came.

“…I’m full."

She stood up.

“Finish the rest. And clean up. I’m tired.”

Without waiting for a reply—

She walked away.

Her footsteps faded down the hallway.

The room fell quiet again.

Clayton slowly turned his head toward Alex.

Alex was staring in the direction Claire left.

His expression—

Was unreadable.

“…So,” Clayton said casually,

“You gonna keep watching from the sidelines?”

Alex didn’t answer immediately.

His grip loosened.

Then tightened again.

“…No.”

His voice was low.

Firm.

Clayton raised an eyebrow.

“That’s new.”

Alex let out a quiet breath.

“I’ve waited long enough.”

His gaze darkened slightly.

“This time… I’m not letting her go.”

Clayton studied him for a moment.

Then chuckled softly.

“Took you many years to figure that out, huh?”

Alex didn’t respond.

But his silence—

Said everything.

Across the hallway—

Inside her room—

Claire lay on her bed.

Staring at the ceiling.

Her heart was unusually restless.

She didn’t know why.

But one thing was certain—

Something—

Had already begun to change.