woman wearing irish linen shirt

I slowed down her voice to dissuade her.My breathing was a little messy, and I wanted to drink saliva to cover up, but I forgot the mask on my face.The water was brought to her lips, and Miss Pender laughed out loud.

I pursed my lips and put down the water glass: "I'll get a new one."

"It's okay." She grabbed my hand and released it immediately. "The window is open, we keep a distance of one meter, it's safe. And it's been a week, the flu is not so contagious."

I shook my head: "It will be better if you wear it." Then I went to get a new mask, "The doctor told me that the mask must be changed frequently, and the contaminated ones should be dealt with in time. He guessed that I was infected before because I didn't Change it in time, I heard that there are a lot fewer people getting flu these days, because everyone has taken protective measures. It’s a bit like the flagship species in the concept of wildlife protection?”

Miss Pender was silent.I stopped looking at her and sat down on the single-seater sofa with a glass of water.

"After all, a large number of respiratory diseases are transmitted through the air. Masks are simple but effective." Miss Pan put the pillow in her arms to the back of her waist, leaned there comfortably, and looked at me with her head tilted, "I didn't expect you to Animal protection is also interested."

"That can't be said to be my interest." I looked at her, "But the concept of the flagship species is very educational. If one thing can be done and a hundred things can be solved at the same time, who would not want such an efficient solution? How about understanding it?"

The smile on her face froze.I seldom see her showing such an expression, and I just find it strange, isn't it?I didn't agree to give her the data that day, and I'm not a fool, so I must have guessed afterwards.It's just a side attack today. Why is Miss Pan De so serious?I didn't know what to do, and waited for her to accept the move.

"Are you hinting at something?" There was another faint smile on her face.

I looked at her, increasingly confused: "It depends on what our topic is."

Miss Pender said nothing.She sat up, held the water glass in her hand, and slowly circled on the coaster.Seeing the glass move to the edge of the coaster, she pushed it back, maybe to the center: we were a little far away, and I couldn't see very well.I didn't realize that she cared so much about neatness before—my mind suddenly became tense, is she nervous?What are we going to talk about today?

I also sat up, ready to fight.

She picked up the water glass and put it to her lips.She should have taken a shallow sip, almost invisible swallowing.Her voice was very soft: "At least today's topic is not work."

"May I know why you came here?"

"For you." She didn't look at me, "I believe I mentioned it before, I just want to make sure you're okay."

Why doesn't she look at me?There was a huge wave of doubt in my heart, but I chose to apologize first: "I'm sorry, Sonia. I didn't expect you to come here specifically to make sure I was okay. You know, this is not so common in Singapore's work culture. I didn't think about it that much..."

"I thought I mentioned that." She still didn't look at me.

I was at a loss for words: "You did. I'm sorry."

"I didn't expect you to see me this way, thinking that I was a workaholic who would go to check on the situation of the partner at the risk of infection." She raised her head, "Then this workaholic would also take advantage of the weekend to discuss projects with a patient , forcing her to leave the hospital bed, the two talked about resource integration from animal protection."

"I'm sorry." My heart twitched, oh my god, she really just came to see me.She still had a very thin smile on her face, but it seemed like it would be torn if she tore it off. It was just a mask maintained to protect my dignity and hers.Before I had time to think about it, I tried to explain it, trying to make her feel better: "It's so inappropriate for me to think that, you must be offended. I didn't expect you to want to be friends with me, you know, our position is very special……"

My apology stopped involuntarily.Miss Pender looked at me squarely, with deep meaning in her eyes.Under the sun, her pupils became clearer, which made me feel like I was being pressed by every step.I was in a mess, but I no longer cared about it, so I looked back at her.

There was something strong and dangerous in her gray-green eyes.

Miss Pender looked at me. "I don't make friends with my clients."

My heart was beating wildly all the way, and there was more to her eyes than that.Reason has told me not to look away, but I seem to be nailed in place, and my eyes have not been able to move away from her for a long time.When I spoke, my voice was a little hoarse: "Don't you want to be friends with me?"

"I do not want."

I close my eyes.When I opened my eyes again, I was much gentler and said pitifully, "I'm sorry that I misunderstood your kindness. I apologize to you. Can you forgive me?"

There was a strange flash in her eyes: "Your apology has been accepted."

The aggressiveness in Miss Pender's eyes faded a lot.

But we all know that's just a disguise.

I was the first to say, "How do I look?"

"I don't know." She took a new pillow and hugged it in her arms. "At least it's much better than Tuesday. You looked like you might pass out at any time that day."

"I hadn't eaten for a long time at that time, and I was sleepy after taking the medicine. In fact, I was not that seriously ill." I was a little embarrassed to think that I was funny and weak, but I still tried my best to maintain the dignity of an adult, " Made you worry. Much better after eating that afternoon—by the way, thank you for the kiwi."

She smiled and shook her head.

"I'm kind of curious," I try to find something to talk about, "why kiwi? You know, it's not really a common choice..."

After hearing what I said, she froze for a moment, shifted her gaze and whispered: "Generally speaking, people tend to miss home when they are uncomfortable. I don't know what I can do, at least I can buy you some food. Don't you Do you like kiwi?"

"No, no." I was also stunned, "But, why kiwi fruit?"

"Kiwi fruit is native to China." Her voice trailed off. "I searched it online...it's so silly."

I was a little anxious, so I stood up and went to her side: "It's not stupid, not at all! Your gift is too thoughtful, but I didn't know it. You see, its name is 'Singularity'. I thought it was a New Zealand fruit."

Miss Pan put her hand under her eyebrows, and she no longer looked at me.She quietly turned away from half of her body. She must have felt embarrassed. I stood by the side and went back, neither sat down nor sat down, and comforted her repeatedly: "I am very happy. You thought carefully about me when choosing a gift. It is a pity that I did not come first." Time to read the meaning. And it was delicious...I ate it that day! Seriously!"

She turned around, looked at my trousers and asked, "Really?"

"It's true." I replied softly.Miss Pan De's eyes went all the way up, meeting my gaze.

Innocent.I am too naive.

Opposite is Sonia Pender, why do I take the initiative to send it forward?

Miss Pande patted the place next to her, stopping my back steps.Then she leaned back and looked up at me, looking a little mischievous: "Don't be so far away. I'm glad you like it."

I was in a dilemma, unable to refute, pressed the upper edge of the mask, and sat down a little away from her.

I can feel her gaze.Miss Pender scrambled up my straight back, down my neck all the way to my ear—and down she went.Where is she looking?I didn't dare to move, I just felt my whole body was stiff, my breath came out and hit my face again, it was very hot.It's really too hot today, because I knew she was coming, I haven't turned on the air conditioner since last night, and the windows in the living room are always kept ventilated.After all, it is much cooler at night, but at this moment I have nothing to hide from the sun.

Without the consciousness of keeping a distance, she took another step closer.

"I don't know if you are [-]% recovered," her voice was almost close to my ear, "but you are much more energetic than that day. You are too considerate, Yao, sometimes it is inevitable Makes it look like you're being hard on yourself. That's exactly why I worry about you."

"I'm getting better." I turned my head, not wanting her to think I was running away, "It's just a minor illness, everything will be fine. Thank you for thinking about me."

She was too close, looked straight at me and said, "Can I confirm it with my own eyes?"

"what?"

I didn't have time to ask.

Miss Pender put her hands over my ears.Her fingertips were warm, and she groped lightly along the outline, touching her earlobe as if inadvertently, and finally stopped at the back.I felt a slight coolness, and something that was restraining me faded away with her movements, leaving only my heat that had not been taken away by the wind, and the hidden waves when the eyes met.I'm getting hot.

And her hand was still there.

She took off my mask.

Her eyes moved away, but not out of sight, and her fingertips brushed the bridge of my nose lightly, and her eyes followed it.I could feel her fingertips, it was no longer the temptation to face the ears, she stroked my cheek like waves rushing into the sand, and then repeated.

"It's all stamped out." Miss Pan De's voice was very soft.

"I've been wearing a mask for the past two days." I sat up straight, moved back a little, and looked out the window, "We still have to maintain social distance, now is the isolation period, and besides, I'm still sick."

"You don't have to do that." She almost whispered, which sounded pitiful and thought-provoking, "Does it hurt?"

"Just indentations. Thanks for asking."

Miss Pender was still looking at me.My heart has never been so calm as it is at this moment. Those intuitions that I have left behind and the guesses that I have suppressed in my heart have all been confirmed. It turns out that all doubts have a basis, not because I think too much, not because I am unwilling to be lonely.Her nearness makes it hard for me to breathe: and there is a reason for my trembling.

If I kiss her now, she will definitely respond to me.

I looked back at her: "Are you straight?"

Her eyes were meaningful, and she said, "Are you?"