Cassian let out a shaky sigh, leaning back in the chair as if trying to sink into invisibility. How the hell did I even end up here? he thought, rubbing the back of his neck. Nothing about this felt real anymore.
His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his spiraling thoughts. He grabbed it, squinting at the screen. Aiden. Where are you? We were supposed to meet at the café.
Cassian's heart raced. What…? He quickly scrolled through the past messages, piecing together the plan he'd somehow forgotten. "Right… right," he muttered, fumbling with the phone. Sorry, coming. Wait for me!
In his panic, he barely noticed he was still wearing the silk pajamas and loose T-shirt from earlier. He practically bolted out the dorm, weaving through the hallways and streets, adrenaline pushing him faster than logic ever could.
When he burst into the café, breath ragged, his chest heaving, he immediately spotted Aiden. His friend looked up from his drink, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he took in the sight of Cassian.
"You're… still in your pajamas?" Aiden said, amusement twinkling in his light gray eyes.
Cassian blinked, heat rising to his cheeks. "I-I… sorry, that's-ugh!" He buried his face in his hands, groaning.
Aiden leaned back slightly, clearly entertained. "Yeah, I can see that."
Cassian peeked through his fingers, trying to regain some shred of dignity. He slid onto the seat opposite Aiden, still panting. "Sorry… I forgot," he muttered, voice uneven.
Aiden's gaze softened, though a playful smirk lingered. "It's fine. Just… try not to scare me like that next time, okay?"
Cassian's hands clutched the edge of the table. He wanted to say something clever, something reassuring, but before he could, a subtle shift in the air froze him. A presence.
He looked up. And there, standing silently, was Leonel. His gray eyes flicked from Aiden to Cassian, unreadable as ever. For a fraction of a second, time seemed to slow.
Cassian's stomach lurched. His heart thudded painfully in his chest. Why is he here? Why now?
Aiden's eyes followed his, narrowing slightly. "Leonel…" he said carefully, almost like testing the waters.
Leonel didn't answer. He just stood there, calm, composed, and impossibly intimidating, like he had all the time in the world and yet, the tension in the room made Cassian feel like a mouse trapped in a lion's gaze.
Cassian opened his mouth, trying to speak, but no sound came out.
Then Leonel's eyes flicked down at the table and a small, almost imperceptible smirk curved his lips.
And just like that, the café felt smaller, the walls closing in around them, and Cassian realized… this was far from over.
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