?


    Kaguya''s voice interrupted Rudy''s thoughts, drawing him back to the present moment. Her gratitude and hope had touched his heart, and he felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew he couldn''t change the past, but he could make a difference in the present.


    With a soft exhale, Rudy pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Kaguya''s head, his embrace providing a silent reassurance. As they parted from their hug, his eyes met hers, conveying his unwavering support.


    "Kaguya," he said, his voice steady, "You have the strength to ovee any challenge. No matter what obstaclese your way, remember that you''re not alone. You have people who believe in you and your dreams."


    Kaguya''s eyes shimmered with emotion as she met his gaze, her lips curving into a grateful smile. In that moment, Rudy silently promised himself that he would do whatever it took to ensure that Kaguya''s dreams were no longer trampled by the whims of the powerful. He couldn''t change the past, but he could certainly shape the future. And as they stood there, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights, Rudy felt a renewed determination to protect and empower those whose dreams deserved to flourish.


    Kaguya''s heart raced as reality snapped back into focus. She quickly and discreetly stepped back from Rudy, creating a small but noticeable distance between them. Her eyes darted towards the car where Maria was seated, her mind awash with a mix of emotions. The warmth of their previous embrace still lingered, yet the abruptness of the situation was enough to jolt her back to her senses.


    Anxiety gnawed at Kaguya as she battled to keep herposure. She didn''t want to give the wrong impression, especially to Maria. Thest thing she wanted was toe across as if there were some sort of secret, intimate connection between her and Rudy. Her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and self-chastisement.


    Internally, Kaguya scolded herself, wondering how she could have lost control like that. What had possessed her to embrace Rudy so tightly, to allow him to hold her so intimately? Her thoughts raced as she reyed the scene in her mind, berating herself for letting her emotions get the better of her.


    She couldn''t help but inwardly curse herself. What had she been thinking, letting Rudy''s hands rest on her back, feeling the contours of her body? Allowing him to press a soft kiss to her forehead, a gesture that sent her heart into a frenzy? Kaguya shook her head, her inner dialogue a mixture of frustration and disbelief.


    As she nced back at Rudy, she saw him standing there with his usual easy smile, seemingly unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts raging within her. It was true that they were friends, and physical affection between friends was normal. But in this context, with Rudy''s wife nearby, Kaguya felt like she had overstepped a line.


    She debated with herself, wondering if she should offer some sort of exnation or apology, but the words refused to form on her lips. Instead, she mentally reminded herself of the importance of professional boundaries, of maintaining a sense of decorum and respect.


    And yet, even as Kaguya''s mind urged her to maintain that distance, her heart tugged in a different direction. Rudy had been a source offort and support, a friend who had been there when she needed someone the most. She found herself torn between wanting to protect their professional rtionship and allowing herself to lean on him in moments of vulnerability.


    With a silent sigh, Kaguya reconciled the conflict within her. She would find a bnce, a way to keep their interactions friendly and genuine without crossing any lines. After all, their connection was one built on trust and camaraderie, something she valued deeply.


    As she nced once more at Maria in the car, Kaguya made a silent promise to herself. She would continue to navigate this delicate dance with care, cherishing the bond she shared with Rudy while also being mindful of the boundaries that should be respected.


    —


    -


    .


    A while ago, when Maria sat in the car, her cheerful and energetic smile never wavered. She waited patiently for Rudy and Kaguya to join her, noticing their hushed conversation with a knowing smile. She had always been supportive of Rudy''s friendships and interactions, so their moment didn''t concern her in the least.


    Her attention then shifted to thepartment where Rudy had ced the sealed report. Her curiosity piqued, and her mind couldn''t help but wander to the contents of that report.


    She turned her gaze back to Rudy, who was engaged in an intimate moment with Kaguya, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. Maria''s thoughts were momentarily sidetracked, her heart swelling with affection for the man who had captured her heart. Rudy had an undeniable charm, and she couldn''t help but feel lucky to have him in her life.


    However, her curiosity about the report gnawed at her. She knew Rudy had promised to reveal its contents after their dinner, but the temptation was too strong to resist. With a surreptitious nce around, she decided to take a peek. After all, what harm could it do?


    With deft fingers, Maria opened thepartment and retrieved the sealed report. Holding it up to the light, she wondered if there might be some way to catch a glimpse of the contents without fully breaking the seal. But her hopes were dashed as she realized she couldn''t discern any words through the envelope.


    In the end, Maria couldn''t resist the temptation. She knew she was crossing a line, but her curiosity got the best of her. Carefully, she broke the seal, making sure not to damage the report inside. As she unfolded the paper, her initial excitement turned into shock and disbelief.


    The contents of the report hit her like a wave. Her wide grin gave way to a mixture of emotions she couldn''t quite put into words. She looked at Rudy and bit her lips. Before Rudy and Kaguya coulde her way, she quickly folded the report and ced it back in thepartment.


    "Why…" She muttered to herself. "Why would he need a DNA test…"