Over the following days, something changed between Mia and Cid.
A distance grew between them.
Not a real break.
Not yet.
But their conversations became shorter.
Their smiles grew rarer.
And whenever Mia and Cid found themselves in the same room, an invisible sense of discomfort seemed to settle between them.
Lara, meanwhile, had wasted no time.
A word here.
A misunderstood situation there.
Information deliberately distorted.
Little by little, she was creating misunderstandings between them.
And Cid, blinded by a jealousy he still refused to admit, too often ended up taking Lara's side.
Meanwhile, Mia began spending more time with other people.
One of them was Julian.
Today, Julian had invited Mia to see a movie.
The movie had just ended.
Mia and Julian walked out of the theater with the other moviegoers.
Julian stretched.
"So?"
Mia thought for a few seconds.
"It was pretty good."
"'Pretty good'?"
"Yes."
"That's all?"
Mia smiled.
"I prefer action movies."
Julian laughed.
"I'm surprised."
"Why?"
"You seem far too calm for someone who likes explosions."
Mia gave him a light nudge with her shoulder.
"Very funny."
They walked a few meters before arriving in front of a fairground set up not far from the movie theater.
The colorful lights illuminated the night.
Julian pointed toward the rides.
"How about going on a ride?"
Mia hesitated.
"I'm not sure…"
"Come on."
"Julian…"
"Just once."
Mia finally smiled.
"Okay."
A few minutes later, they found themselves seated inside one of the ride's cabins.
The cabin slowly rose.
Through the window, they could see the city lights, the people below growing smaller and smaller, and the other rides spinning beneath their feet.
Mia rested her forehead against the glass.
"It's beautiful."
Julian was looking at her more than he was looking at the scenery.
"Yes."
Mia turned her head.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You were looking at me."
"I know."
Mia raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Julian smiled.
"Because I think you're beautiful."
Mia blushed.
"Julian…"
"What?"
"Don't say things like that."
"Why? It's true."
Mia looked away.
"You're making me uncomfortable."
Julian moved a little closer.
"You know, the more time I spend with you, the more I realize that you're different from everyone else."
He moved even closer.
Mia instinctively moved backward.
But there wasn't much room inside the cabin.
Julian then tried to kiss her.
Mia immediately placed a hand against his chest and pushed him away.
"What are you doing, Julian?"
He froze.
The expression on his face fell.
"I'm sorry."
He lowered his eyes.
"It's just that…"
He took a deep breath.
"Mia, I've fallen madly in love…"