Chapter 90. Stiffened.

"Ugh?" Luca sat up, attempting to decipher the meaning behind his words.

"Uhmmm... I mean, as a friend," Rio quickly interjected, pressing his lips together tightly while clutching the phone firmly.

"Ah... that," Luca began. "I know I can rely on you. But I'll be fine, I suppose. We've agreed to live as strangers, without any restrictions on each other. We're free to see other people if we want," Luca explained. Another silence followed before Rio spoke up. "That's cool," he said.

For some reason, the conversation felt too formal, unlike their usual interactions.

"Goodbye, Rio. It was nice of you to call. I appreciate having someone to talk to. I feel better now... or at least, I think I do," he said, though deep down he knew he was lying. "For now, I guess."

"Great," Rio replied. "Goodnight, Luca," he added.

"Yeah, goodnight, man," Luca responded, ending the call and falling back onto the bed with a sigh of relief.

"What was that conversation about?" he muttered to himself, contempla