Scene shift to Cristina —
I woke up suddenly, my breath uneven as my eyes slowly to the faint light around me. For a few seconds, everything felt distant and unfamiliar, like I had been pulled out of a dream too quickly. I blinked, trying to focus, and that's when I realized—I was lying on the floor.
"What…?"
The word slipped out of my lips before I could stop it. I quickly pushed myself up, my heart beating faster as my hands moved over my head, my arms, my knees, searching for pain, for any sign of injury. But there was nothing. , no bruises, not even a dull ache. It didn't make sense.
Still confused, I stood up and walked slowly toward the sofa, trying to steady myself. Everything felt normal and strange at the same time. To distract myself, I went to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. When I sat down, I held the warm mug tightly between my hands, letting its heat ground me.
And then, without warning, everything came rushing back.
Lucian.
The memory hit me all at once—the way he had held me, the quiet way he had taken care of me. His blood on my wounds—my head, my knees. The hidden library, the clouds, that strange and beautiful place that felt unreal, yet somehow more real than anything else.
I stared into my coffee, my thoughts spiraling.
Why would someone like him do that? A demon… someone who worked at Level 10… someone who should be cruel. Then why did he feel so gentle?
Before I could make sense of it, my phone rang suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen.
Arian.
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hey Cristina, how are you?" arian said
"I… I'm fine i replied ...
"Do you remember? You were drunk last night." Arian said.
My breath stopped as memories hit me in fragments. I covered my eyes with my hand, trying to slow them down, but they came anyway. I remembered holding onto him, him supporting me so I wouldn't fall, taking me to my room.
And then—
My heartbeat skipped.
A soft kiss on my cheek.
And something else.
Something I couldn't ignore.
I had kissed him back.
My eyes slowly opened, tension building inside me, but I forced my voice to stay normal.
"Is it…? I don't remember exactly." I said.
"Well, never mind. I'll pick you up today for work, okay?" Arian said casually.
"No, no—it's fine—" I said quickly.
"No, love… I'll come. See you." Arian replied.
The call ended before I could respond. I stared at my phone, my mind stuck on that one word.
Love.
"Why did he say that…?" I whispered.
I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated. Everything felt messy, confusing, all because of one night. I stood up and walked to the balcony, taking a deep breath as the fresh air hit my face.
"It's okay. I can handle this." I told myself softly.
I closed my eyes, and instantly and thinking again about how Lucian's arms hugged me. That strange sense of safety, of quiet protection. He hadn't said much. He had just stayed… just taken care of me.
And somehow… that had been enough.
It had felt like home.
Like sleeping peacefully in my own bed, warm and secure.
But when Arian had hugged me…
I had never felt that way.
"Why…?" I muttered.
I shook my head, forcing myself back.
"Focus, Cristina." I said firmly.
My thoughts shifted again, back to Arian. Maybe I had messed things up. He was nice—really nice—but I didn't feel the same.
"It was just a cheek kiss." I whispered.
"I'll pretend it never happened." I added.
Later, I stepped out, needing something normal to clear my head. I bought groceries, fruits, and medicine. After paying, I sat outside, sipping a cold drink.
Maybe I should just go with the flow with Arian.
"Yeah… let's see what happens." I said quietly to myself.
I leaned back, looking at the clouds, closing my eyes for a moment. Despite everything, yesterday had given me beautiful memories.
With Arian.
And with Lucian.
Back home, I ate a croissant with butter and a bowl of hangover soup. It helped a little. Soon, it was time for work. I got ready quickly and checked the time.
"I'm late." I muttered.
I rushed out, almost running toward the lift.
"Relax… everything will be fine…" I whispered to myself.
When I stepped outside, I saw him.
Arian.
Leaning against his bike.
For a moment, I slowed down.
He looked different today. His dark hair was slightly messy. His blue eyes caught the light. He wore a fitted black T-shirt and a dark jacket, sleeves pushed up.
Confident.
Effortlessly confident.
Does he always look this handsome… or is it just today?
When he noticed me, he smiled.
And somehow, that made him look even more attractive.
As soon as I reached him, he stepped forward and pulled me into a soft hug. I froze for a second.
"I missed you already." Arian said softly.
"Very funny, Arian." I replied.
"You got me." He smiled.
"Come on, let's go." Arian said.
I nodded and sat behind him. The bike started, and we were soon on the road. The cool evening air brushed against my face, the sky painted in soft shades of orange and pink.
"Let's have ice cream." Arian said.
"Sure." I replied.
We stopped near a park and sat under the trees. I had mango flavour ice-cream and he had raspberry flavour ice-cream.
After a moment of silence—
"You know… I feel comfortable with you." Arian said.
"What do you mean? You met me just a few months ago." I asked.
"I know. But still… you're more than just a friend to me. I feel like I can rely on you." Arian replied.
"I don't want to force anything. Let's take time… understand each other. Then whatever our hearts say, we'll decide." He continued.
"For now… we're friends. And I don't want to lose you. Even if you reject me later… just don't break our friendship. Okay?" Arian said.
I looked at him for a moment, noticing how serious he had suddenly become. There was something quiet in his eyes… something he wasn't used to showing.
"Okay… we'll go with the flow," I said softly. "And whatever happens… we stay friends."
"Good," Arian said, a faint smile touching his lips.
There was a pause.
"Then… I want to tell you something," he added.
"I'm listening," I said.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze distant for a second.
"I do bike racing… just for passion " Arian said. "And… I'm the owner of pharmaceutical company "
I blinked.
He said it so simply.
A small pause.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"And… I work part-time at the café," Arian added softly. "For peace."
He looked at me for a second.
"You already know that… we work in the same café."
He smiled.
Something about that smile felt different this time.
"And your family?" I asked quietly.
That question stilled him.
"I don't really have one," Arian replied.
I stayed silent.
"They're overseas," he added. "They just send gifts."
A faint shift crossed his face.
"When I was seven… they came once," he said. "After that… nothing."
That question stilled him.
"I don't really have one," Arian replied.
I stayed silent.
"They're overseas," he added. "They just send gifts."
A faint shift crossed his face.
"When I was seven… they came once," he said. "After that… nothing."
His voice didn't break.
"I waited for them," he added. "Every year."
My fingers tightened slightly.
"I thought they'd come back."
Silence.
"I cried for them too," he said quietly.
The air between us felt heavier.
"Then one day… I understood," Arian said. "No one was coming."
I didn't move.
"Now they call me," he continued. "They want to meet."
A faint smile appeared… then faded.
"But I don't feel anything now."
I slowly placed my hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Arian… you did everything on your own," I said softly.
"I didn't do it because I was strong," he replied. "I did it because no one else was there."
I held his hand gently.
"Still… you made it through," I said.
He stayed quiet for a moment.
"No one's ever said that to me before," Arian said quietly.
"Thank you… for understanding."
"We're friends," I said softly.
"Yeah…" he nodded. "Friends."
We stood up and walked back to the bike.
This time, the silence between us didn't feel empty.
It felt… calm.
When we reached the café, we walked in together.
"Hey," I said.
"Hi, Claire," Arian added.