You Gain One, You Lose One

Behind Adrian was a freshly baked cake.

"I said I would make up for your birthday." He smiled at me. "Did you think I forgot?"

I looked at the beautifully decorated cake and smiled. I said, "Yeah. I'm quite surprised."

"Wendy." He looked at me. "I know you've been upset these past few days. It's my fault for not noticing sooner that something was off. But—"

"The cake smells delicious." I cut in, leaning down to take a whiff before turning to him with an outstretched hand. "Did you bring the candles?"

He was caught off guard by my interruption but eventually handed me the candles, gazing at me with a look that seemed like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back.

I evenly spaced the candles into the frosting.

He frowned and said, "Wendy, you—"

I extended my hand toward him again. "Where's the lighter?"

He looked displeased. Nevertheless, he still handed me the lighter.

"Don't talk now. Making a wish is a sacred moment."

"Alright."

I lit the candles and clasped my hands together. "May I always stay safe and sound."

A loud click sounded. It was the sound of a camera shutter that startled me.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Adrian's phone camera pointed straight at me.

We locked eyes, and for a moment, there was an awkward silence.

"Were you taking a picture of me?" I asked.

"Yeah."

He put the phone down. "I don't know why, but I just felt like I should capture this moment so I could look back on it later. Honestly, I don't even know where that thought came from."

I leaned closer. "It wasn't because you sensed something and took the photo because of that, right?"

He smiled. "No. If you don't like it, I'll delete it."

"No, don't!" I pressed the phone down. "We haven't taken a photo together yet. Let's do it now."

He paused, then handed the phone to me.

I unlocked the screen and briefly froze.

Adrian's screensaver wasn't a photo of me anymore. Instead, it was a photo of him and Katelyn together.

In the photo, she had one arm slung around his neck and the other flashing a peace sign. Adrian, who usually hated taking photos, looked slightly annoyed but still went along with her.

I had asked him countless times to take a photo with me, but every time, he would frown and say, "Dr. Gilmore, my meetings sometimes require me to share my device's screen. Do you really want everyone to know we're in a relationship?"

After that, I would awkwardly pull my hand back, embarrassed.

"This—" Adrian was clearly taken aback, too. He frowned, thought for a moment, then sighed.

"She must have changed it the last time she played with my phone. Don't mind it."

I smiled and said, "What you do with your phone is your business."

As I spoke, I launched the camera app.

The photo gallery followed, flooding the screen with rows of photos of a couple.

There was Katelyn pulling funny faces while holding his face, flashing a peace sign behind his head, and pretending to be angry while he looked on, amused.

The poses were varied and countless.

My solo photos were nowhere to be found anymore.

"Wendy." He paused. "Katelyn loves taking photos. With the condition she's in, I can't keep refusing her."

I smiled. "Well, that hurts. Dr. Randall. I've also begged you many times, but you never once agreed."

"Wendy…"

"You know what? It's fine. Let's just take the picture. Three, two, one, say cheese!"

With the click of the shutter, he grabbed my hand.

"Wendy, why do you seem off today?"

I admired the photo. "Hmm? Is that so?"

"Yes."

I turned to look at him. Some things were on the tip of my tongue, just waiting to be said.