Chapter 85
The night had deepened by the time Alvira left the gardens.
Her thoughts were not quiet.
They moved in circles, returning again and again to the same words, the same moments, the same feeling she could not fully explain.
She did not notice him at first.
Ray.
He stood near the corridor ahead, leaning lightly against the wall as if he had been there for a while.
Waiting.
Alvira slowed when she saw him.
Alvira said, "You are still here."
Ray straightened slightly.
Ray said, "I could say the same."
Alvira said, "I was just heading back."
Ray nodded once.
But he did not move.
Alvira studied him for a moment.
Alvira said, "You seem… different today."
Ray let out a quiet breath.
Ray said, "Do I."
Alvira said, "Yes."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Ray said, "Can I ask you something."
Alvira said, "You can."
Ray held her gaze, something more serious in his expression now.
Ray said, "What do you think of Zack."
The question caught her off guard.
Alvira said, "That is direct."
Ray said, "I am not in the mood to go around it."
Alvira hesitated.
Then—
Alvira said, "He is… different."
Ray said, "Different how."
Alvira said, "He pays attention. He does not waste words. And when he speaks, it feels like he already knows what matters."
Ray listened carefully.
Too carefully.
Ray said, "And that is enough for you."
Alvira frowned slightly.
Alvira said, "Why are you asking me this."
Ray did not answer immediately.
Then—
Ray said, "Because I need to know where you stand."
The words were steady.
But not light.
Alvira said, "About what."
Ray stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough to be clear.
Ray said, "About him. About… anything that is starting to happen."
Alvira felt the weight of that.
Alvira said, "I think things are changing. But I do not fully understand how yet."
Ray nodded slowly.
As if he expected that answer.
Ray said, "That makes this harder."
Alvira's brows drew slightly.
Alvira said, "Harder for who."
Ray looked at her then.
Really looked.
And this time—
He did not hold anything back.
Ray said, "For me."
The air stilled.
Alvira did not speak.
Ray continued.
Ray said, "I tried to ignore it. At first I thought it was just because you were new. Because you stood out. But it did not stop."
His voice lowered slightly.
Ray said, "I notice you. The way you speak. The way you do not try to fit into what this place expects. And I keep finding reasons to be where you are."
Alvira's breath slowed.
Ray said, "That is not something I usually do."
A pause.
Then—
Ray said, "I like you."
The words were simple.
But they carried weight.
Alvira said nothing for a moment.
Then—
Alvira said, "Ray…"
He shook his head slightly.
Ray said, "You do not have to answer immediately. I am not asking you to choose anything right now."
Alvira said softly, "Then why tell me."
Ray's expression shifted slightly.
Ray said, "Because I could not keep pretending it was not there."
A quiet silence followed.
Alvira said, "I did not know."
Ray said, "I know."
Alvira said, "I do not want to hurt you."
Ray let out a small breath.
Ray said, "That is not something you can control."
Alvira held his gaze.
Alvira said, "And you knew this might happen."
Ray said, "Yes."
Alvira asked, "Then why take the risk."
Ray answered without hesitation.
Ray said, "Because you are worth it."
That left no room for misunderstanding.
No room for doubt.
Alvira looked at him, her expression softer now.
Alvira said, "I need time."
Ray nodded once.
Ray said, "Take it."
He stepped back slightly.
Ray said, "Just do not pretend this conversation did not happen."
Alvira said, "I will not."
Ray gave a small nod.
Then he turned.
And walked away.
This time—
She noticed the difference.