Luisa stood beside the river, holding the edge of David's jacket gently.
The fabric was warm.
Comforting.
But her heart… still felt restless.
She slowly lifted her eyes and looked at David—
Then lowered her gaze again.
Luisa (softly):
"Thank you… David."
David looked at her quietly.
Her hair had fallen slightly over her face, half-covered by his jacket. The soft wind made a few strands dance across her cheeks.
She looked…
Fragile.
Beautiful.
Innocent.
For a brief moment—
David's hand almost moved.
He almost tucked her hair behind her ear.
But he stopped himself.
He knew his boundaries.
No matter how much his heart wanted to be closer…
He held back.
David (gently):
"Luisa… you don't have to thank me."
Luisa slowly looked up again.
And this time—
David saw it clearly.
The pain in her eyes.
Something inside him tightened.
His heartbeat grew uneven.
Both of them turned their gaze toward the river again.
The water flowed quietly… as if carrying away unspoken emotions.
Luisa (softly):
"But still…"
Her voice faded.
Her heart felt strange—
So many emotions at once.
Pain.
Relief.
Confusion.
And something she couldn't name.
She stood there, lost in her thoughts.
And beside her—
David was lost in her.
He could feel it.
The heaviness inside her.
Even if she didn't say it.
After a moment, he spoke softly—
David:
"Luisa…"
She turned toward him.
David hesitated for a second… then asked gently—
David:
"I know something is bothering you."
Luisa looked at him quietly.
Then lowered her gaze to the water again.
Luisa (softly):
"No… it's nothing like that… I'm just tired."
David watched her carefully.
David:
"Then why… can't I believe you?"
Luisa looked up at him again.
And gave a faint, tired smile.
Luisa:
"Because you're thinking too much."
David let out a soft breath.
David:
"Maybe… because I care too much."
Luisa froze for a moment.
Those words—
They felt different.
She looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Somewhere deep inside—
She had always felt that there was something different about David.
Something gentle.
Something sincere.
But she had ignored it.
Avoided it.
But now…
She couldn't ignore it anymore.
David stepped a little closer—
Not invading her space—
Just… near enough.
He leaned lightly against the railing beside her.
David (softly):
"Do you want to have some coffee?"
Luisa didn't answer immediately.
For a moment, she just stood there.
Then quietly—
Luisa:
"…Okay."
At the Café
The café was warm and softly lit.
A gentle contrast to the cold evening outside.
David ordered for both of them—something simple.
Coffee.
And a light snack.
They sat across from each other.
For the first time in days—
Luisa felt… a little lighter.
Not completely okay—
But better.
Luisa:
"By the way… I didn't ask you properly… how are you now?"
David looked at her.
David:
"I'm better than before."
Luisa nodded softly.
Luisa:
"That's good to know."
They talked—
About small things.
Simple things.
Nothing heavy.
Nothing painful.
And somehow—
That made all the difference.
Luisa even smiled once.
Just a little.
But real.
David noticed.
And that alone made his heart feel at ease.
But then—
Her phone rang.
The sound felt louder than it should have.
Luisa's fingers paused.
She looked at the screen.
Ben calling…
Her chest tightened again.
That same feeling.
She didn't want to pick up.
Not now.
Not here.
But—
She stood up slowly.
Luisa:
"I… need to take this."
David nodded gently.
David:
"Take your time."
Outside the Café
The air was colder now.
Luisa stepped outside and answered the call.
Luisa (softly):
"Hello…"
Ben's voice came from the other side—
Ben:
"Hi, Luisa. How are you?"
Luisa:
"I'm… good."
Ben:
"That's good to hear."
A small pause.
Ben:
"What are you doing?"
Luisa looked away, her fingers tightening slightly around her phone.
Luisa:
"Nothing… just outside."
Ben:
"Seems like you're better now."
Luisa:
"Yeah…"
Ben's voice softened a little.
Ben:
"By the way… I wanted to tell you something."
Luisa stayed quiet.
Listening.
Ben:
"Today I went to her café… to see if she was there."
Luisa's heart—
It hurt again.
Sharp.
Sudden.
But she stayed silent.
Ben continued—
Ben:
"She wasn't there…"
A pause.
Then—
Ben:
"I'm thinking of meeting her tomorrow."
Those words—
They landed heavily.
Luisa felt her chest tighten.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
But she forced a soft smile—
Even though he couldn't see it.
Luisa (softly):
"That's… great."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
And then—
A voice came from behind her.
"Luisa."
She froze.
Slowly turning—
And there he was.
Noah.
Standing casually, hands in his pockets.
Watching her.
With that same confident, unreadable expression.
Ben's voice came again from the phone—
Ben:
"Hello… Luisa? Are you there?"
But Luisa—
Was no longer fully listening.
Because now—
Something else had entered the moment.
Something unsettling.
Something she didn't want to deal with.
Noah took a slow step closer.
A faint smirk playing on his lips.
Noah:
"Busy?"
Luisa's grip on her phone tightened.
Her heart—
Once again—
Felt trapped between too many emotions.