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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 18 – A 3:00 a.m. Serenade
The song of the crickets mixed with the distant murmur of the party still going strong in the hotel's grand ballroom.
The warm predawn air smelled of wet earth, and a faint orange glow illuminated the paths between the cabins.
Everything seemed calm... until a voice shattered the quiet like a shot to the soul.
"What's going on?!" Camila said, peeking out the window in her pajamas, her phone trembling in her hand.
From the garden, Sebastian's voice resonated shamelessly, torn by emotion and wine.
"¡Mi canto reclama tu voz!
(My song reclaims your voice.)
¡Y yo la flor de tu piel!
(and I the flower of your skin.)"
Camila put a hand to her forehead.
"I can't believe it... this crazy man!" she muttered.
Zayra stirred in bed, startled.
"What time is it...?"
"Three. It's three in the morning!" Camila huffed.
Zayra frowned. The singing continued, a provocation breaking the dense air.
"I'm not going out... he can just leave."
"Of course you're not going out! You can barely walk!"
Camila exploded.
"He saw you! He saw you looking bad, being carried by Ryu!
And even then he shows up with a serenade! Is this man delusional?!"
Camila muttered, rolling her eyes as she watched Sebastian acting out.
Zayra covered her ears with a pillow.
"Camila... please, I'm begging you, make him leave."
Camila held back a curse, thinking.
Calling her brothers would be chaos. Her parents, a scandal.
The administration, even worse.
She could only think of one level-headed person... and she went to find him.
***
Ryu opened his cabin door in just a few seconds. He was awake.
"Camila-ssi? Did something happen?"
"I am so, so sorry, but I need your help. There's a drunk guy singing in the garden.
It's Sebastian. Zayra's ex."
Ryu's eyes dropped for a few seconds, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he absorbed every word.
His expression didn't change, but his thoughts were racing, evaluating the situation.
"I don't want a scandal,"
she explained quickly.
"My husband is in Santa Cruz for work and doesn't get back until tomorrow.
If my parents find out, it's going to be a problem... and if I call my brothers, they'll just beat him up."
"If he sees you, maybe he'll get scared and leave."
As they walked toward the garden, Camila lowered her voice.
"They dated when Zayra was in high school.
He was her first love... But one day he just disappeared.
I never heard from him again."
He took a deep breath, adjusting his posture, ready to intervene if necessary.
"I understand. Let's go."
The singing intensified as they approached the garden.
"¡Camba, yo sé que te llevo dentro!
(Camba, I know I carry you within me.)
Pues en mi canto y mis versos
(for in my song and my verses.)
Siempre te quiero nombrar!"
(I always want to name you.)
Sebastian was standing under Zayra's window.
With his arms wide open to the sky, his voice trembling somewhere between pathetic and heartbreaking.
Ryu stopped a few steps behind Camila.
His arms were crossed firmly, and only a slight clenching of his jaw betrayed his contained tension.
Sebastian was swaying, his gaze lost and his hands shaking.
Camila was gripping her phone, frowning, ready to intervene.
Ryu was evaluating every move, calculating the most effective way to resolve the conflict.
Until Camila spoke firmly.
"Sebastian. Stop. Please, just go. It's late, you're making a scene."
Sebastian looked at her, confused.
"Camila? Is Zayra in there? Zayra, come out! I just want to talk to you!"
"She's not available," Camila stated, her tone hardening.
"If you don't leave now, I'll call security. And if that's not enough, I'll call my brothers."
The word "brothers" made him react.
Sebastian lowered his arms, as if the memory of Zayra's brothers reminded him of a past beating.
"Fine. I'm going. But this... this isn't over." he yelled in a broken voice as he staggered away.
Ryu watched in silence.
Only when Sebastian disappeared among the trees did he allow his shoulders to relax for a moment.
A shiver ran down his spine as the memory of Sebastian's voice lingered in the air.
Camila sighed and spoke.
"Thank you. Really. I didn't want this to get any bigger... I was so worried."
"No problem," Ryu replied, calm but firm.
"Get some rest."
Camila nodded, relieved.
When Ryu walked back down the path, he took one last look at Zayra's cabin.
The window was closed, the light off, but the memory of the serenade still hung in the air like a perfume that wouldn't fade.
He felt a knot in his chest.
He didn't understand what else he was feeling, but a question cut through him like a knife.
"How much can a man love?
What happened between them for him to come sing to her like this at this hour?"