THE LAST BYLINE

Act I, Chap. V

"Kaiiii…" Lena called out, finally awakening, she removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes.

Kai nearly dropped his phone "Oh hey, you're finally awake" he was still chatting with Jay, as he desperately tried to hide the chat history. "You fell asleep and I didn't want you to feel cold, so I..."

"You gave me your jacket, thanks"

Lena smiled warmly, due to his panic, he didn't notice that it was the 1st time she ever saw her without glasses. She never removed them, around anyone, even him. Her hazel brown eyes glowed like honey, unfiltered, raw beauty. She noticed he was staring and took his phone. "Hey, give me that!!" but her face said nope. Kai's face flushed red as she read his and Jay's chat log. "Oohhh, my mentor's inlove huh? Who's the lucky lady" she smiles brightly at him, almost beaming. Kai buried his face in his hands, "it's you..."

"You don't wanna tell me huh?!"

Lena crosses her arms, "It's fine, it's your personal secret, if you don't want to share it to me, it's okay" she said squatting at his eye level, trying to remove his face from his hands. "Btw, you said that you found another clue right?" (wait, she was awake the whole time?) "Yeah I did. There's a hidden compartment under your table, maybe it's a trapdoor, it's covered by a rug, and I noticed."

"Wait, I need to have coffee, or else I might fall asleep again" Lena opened the cabinet, luckily she transferred her things in advance. Black coffee for her, and a handful of sugar in Kai's. She wonders if he just likes sweets or he find the coffee bitter.

Kai stood in the doorway of the kitchenette, observing Lena as she prepares two cups of coffee, one for her and one for him. Then slowly, he creeped up to her. She was too focused that he didn't even notice Kai was behind her, her long raven black hair was down, as she just woke up. (try to hug her, but only loose, so if she's uncomfortable she can slip away with just a gentle movement, I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable) Kai slowly looped his arms around her waist, softly, barely touching her. Loose enough that she can break free if she wanted. (oh gosh, I messed up, she'll get mad - she'll) Lena leaned back to him, not just a bit, but she leaned into him. She played with his fingers, as if playing piano around them. "Hii" she says sleepily, linking her pinky to his. A cabinet flew open, "A letter hidden in a compartment, a coffee mug in this apartment" they look at each other. Lena took a sip of coffee and Kai also did. "Co-detective, are you ready?"

Kai smiles warmly at her before letting her go. "Always…always"