CHAPTER - 162

  Narrator: Upon reaching his room, Dav opened the door unhurriedly.

  He entered, approached the desk, and grabbed his small bottle and hand cream.

  Then he moved to the wardrobe, searching among the clothes for his pajama pants.

  Without wasting any more time, he left his room and headed toward Selene's.

  He walked calmly along the corridor, the dim light from the chandeliers casting soft shadows on the walls.

  Upon arrival, he knocked lightly with his knuckles, then pushed the door open and entered.

  Inside, he saw Selene and Myrrhya on the sofa, engaged in a quiet conversation.

  At his entrance, both noticed him, but neither said anything: just a quick glance, then silence again, as if his arrival were a natural occurrence.

  Dav approached the bed, placed the pajamas and the bottle of cream on the covers with measured movements, then turned toward them.

  "I'm going to get dinner, I'll be right back,"

  he announced aloud, his tone light.

  Selene, still smiling, looked at him for a moment without saying a word, as if simply seeing him was enough.

  Then, naturally, she resumed talking with Myrrhya.

  Dav left the room and made his way to the cafeteria.

  He arrived earlier than the other professors: the environment still quiet, the late afternoon murmur distant.

  He entered the kitchen, knowing exactly whom he was looking for.

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  Iris was there, rinsing her hands under running water.

  When she saw him arrive, a spontaneous smile lit up her face.

  She quickly dried her hands on the white apron, then took a ready tray with dinner on it and a bag

  containing the drinks.

  Gently, she touched Dav's back to get his attention.

  He turned around, his eyes softening upon seeing her.

  Iris handed him everything with a radiant smile.

  "Make sure she eat it all. I prepared a nice salad, not too much salt and oil,"

  she said, her tone affectionate and conspiratorial.

  Dav took the tray carefully, nodding.

  "Thank you very much,"

  he murmured, ready to leave.

  But before he could walk away, Iris lightly grabbed his arm.

  With a small leap onto her tiptoes, she kissed his neck, quick but firm.

  Dav stiffened for a moment, the warmth of the kiss reddening his face and neck.

  It wasn't embarrassment, but an involuntary reaction, as if that spot were extraordinarily sensitive.

  In a very low voice, almost a whisper, he said:

  "So Valeria already told you everything then..."

  His eyes closed, gaze directed downward, followed by a long sigh.

  Iris chuckled softly, her fingers still brushing the fabric of his sleeve.

  "Who knows! Now go!"

  she said, amused by his reaction.

  Dav barely shook his head, then, with a faint smile, left the kitchen.

  When he returned to Selene's room, he knocked lightly with his forehead on the door, a playful gesture.

  Selene opened it immediately.

  Inside, the scene that greeted him was simple and sweet: Selene wore pink pajamas with little pandas drawn on them, her dark brown hair tied up in a soft high

  ponytail.

  The small table was already set, tidy, awaiting the food.

  "The salad is for you,"

  said Dav upon entering, placing the tray on the table.

  "Iris made it especially, with a mix of vegetables...

  no corn, of course."

  Selene took a forkful of salad, and the smile that spread across her lips spoke more than a thousand words: the taste was perfect, light, exactly as she liked it.

  They sat down to eat together, the television playing a romantic action film that Selene had chosen while he was away, interspersed with scenes of brilliant comedy.

  Every so often, they chuckled, exchanging amused glances.

  It was a simple, yet precious moment.

  After finishing dinner and the movie, Dav stood up.

  He went to the bed, sat down, and removed the pants he was wearing to put on his pajama bottoms.

  He took the cream and began massaging his hands, worn from calluses and cuts, his fingers working patiently over the chapped skin.

  Selene silently approached, sitting next to him.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, the contact light but reassuring.

  "So... this is what happens when you train too much, huh?"

  she whispered, her eyes fixed on his marked hands.

  "That's life, Sele,"

  he replied, his voice calm, as he continued to apply the cream with slow and measured movements.

  No more words were needed.

  Just the silence, the warmth of each other's presence, and the deep understanding that arose without the need for explanations.

  END OF CHAPTER - 162