137: Unplanned Companionship

After a leisurely evening walk, Emma found herself returning to the hotel around nine, her arms laden with snacks she'd picked up for Jada. The evening had taken an unexpected turn when she encountered Alex post-dinner, their paths crossing yet again. Alex, for reasons unknown to Emma, had decided to shadow her every move, turning her solo outing into an impromptu duo. Despite her attempts to shake him off, Alex persisted, leaving Emma with no choice but to acquiesce to his silent company. Their arrival back at the hotel was met with Jada's raised eyebrows, her curiosity piqued by their joint appearance. "What's this, an impromptu dinner date?" she teased, half-expecting some juicy gossip. Emma, maintaining her composure, handed over the snacks to Jada with a simple explanation, "Just a coincidence. We ran into each other and ended up walking back together." Jada, sensing there was more to the story, let out a suppressed chuckle, her mind racing with unspoken thoughts. W