The cafe stood nearly empty at this hour. A pair of students in back booths, a man hunched over his laptop, the steady hiss of the espresso machine. Xavier, his black apron slightly wrinkled, dried a glass with deliberate slowness while watching the street through the window.
Santiago entered without subtlety. He strode straight to the counter and leaned against it, fixing Xavier with that half-smile that promised nothing good.
—You're late —Xavier said, not raising his voice.
—Got… held up —Santiago replied, unwinding his scarf—. Besides, what I brought is worth the wait.
Xavier arched an eyebrow.
—Impress me.
Santiago pulled out his phone, queued a video, and held it up. The clip showed the exact moment Antonella's name flashed in Saval and Semiel's stream chat.
—Watch how he tenses —Santiago pointed at Saval's frozen frame—. And Semiel plays it off… but something got under their skin.
Xavier studied it, his smirk tilting.
—Good eye. —He pushed the phone back—. But that's just a spark. Where's the wildfire?
—Working on it —Santiago said—. Thinking something more direct… anonymous messages, a few familiar faces showing up at the right moment… you know the drill.
This one's starving for revenge, Xavier noted. And I've got a full-course meal.
—Could help —he said at last—. But not for free.
—I know —Santiago agreed, as if he'd expected nothing less—. Name your price.
Xavier braced his elbows on the counter, locking eyes.
—I want a favor. One big one. I'll call it in when I please, and you won't say no.
—Deal —Santiago answered without hesitation.
How easy… didn't even ask what I'll demand, Xavier mused, savoring the thought.
—Good. Then… I can get you something more… personal. Things they'd never show on stream.
—How? —Santiago asked.
Xavier smiled ambiguously, amusement and threat woven together.
—Let's say I have my ways. And ears everywhere.
Meanwhile, blocks away, Saval and Semiel sat on a park bench. The cold air nipped at their faces, the murmur of passersby creating an illusion of safety.
—Can't stop thinking about that comment —Semiel muttered, brow furrowed.
—Me neither —Saval stared ahead—. But we can't let it control us.
What if we're already being watched? What if this is just the start? Semiel thought, squeezing Saval's hand tighter.
—I want us ready —he said finally—. If they make a move, I want them to know we won't break easy.
Saval looked at him, and for a moment, the park's chill didn't matter.
—We're in this together, Sem. That's all that counts.
Back at the café, Santiago leaned closer to Xavier.
—So… when do we start?
—Already have —Xavier jerked his chin toward a back table. A young man scribbled in a notebook, pretending to sip coffee—. He's mine. Been tailing your "friends" for days.
Santiago glanced over and smiled.
—Perfect.
—Give it a few days —Xavier continued—. Then when everything's set… we light the match.
Santiago stood, adjusting his jacket.
—Can't wait to watch them fall.
—Oh, they won't fall all at once —Xavier said, venomously calm—. We'll make them stumble… again and again, until they break themselves.
This'll be fun, Xavier thought as Santiago exited.
In the park, Saval and Semiel rose to leave, unaware each step was already being recorded in a stranger's notebook.