Luisa stood there for a moment after David left.
She felt… strange.
Not uncomfortable.
Not exactly happy either.
Just… different.
Luisa (thinking):
It's good that David is back… he sounds better now…
But still—
something inside her felt unfamiliar.
Luisa (thinking):
Why do I feel like this?
We're just friends…
And he was going through a lot…
She quickly shook her head.
Luisa: "What am I even thinking…?"
With a soft sigh, she started walking toward her house.
Her phone rang.
Luisa looked down.
Ben calling.
Her heart tightened.
That same uncomfortable feeling returned again.
Luisa (thinking):
Why is he calling me…?
She hesitated.
But still—
She picked up.
Luisa: "Hi, Ben…"
Ben: "Hey, Luisa. How are you?"
Luisa: "I'm good… and you?"
Ben: "Better… What are you doing?"
Luisa: "Just out for a walk."
Ben: "That's nice… actually, I was going to ask if you're free."
Luisa paused.
Luisa: "Oh…"
Ben: "Can I join you? I'm not feeling good being alone… I've already finished my studies, and there's nothing to do."
Luisa went silent for a moment.
Her mind said no.
Her heart… didn't.
Luisa: "Oh… yeah, sure."
Ben: "Okay, I'll come. Where are you?"
Luisa: "At the park near my house."
Ben: "Alright, I'll be there in a moment."
Luisa: "Okay…"
The call ended.
Luisa stared at her phone.
Luisa (thinking):
Why did I say yes…?
I could have said anything…
Why is it so hard to refuse him…?
She exhaled slowly.
And after a few minutes—
She saw him.
Ben was walking toward her.
Wearing a simple white t-shirt and dark blue jeans.
He looked… a little better than before.
But still tired.
Still carrying something heavy.
Luisa watched him approach.
Luisa (thinking):
To him… I'm just emotional support… nothing more…
Ben reached her.
Ben: "Hi."
Luisa: "Hi…"
They started walking together.
A quiet silence between them.
Ben: "I was actually thinking of asking you to go out."
Luisa: "Oh… that's good."
Ben: "Do you come here often?"
Luisa: "Not really… sometimes."
Ben: "Let's grab something to drink."
Luisa hesitated.
But still—
Luisa: "Okay."
They walked into a small café nearby.
It was warm and softly lit.
A contrast to the cold air outside.
They sat across from each other.
Ben: "You order first."
Luisa: "Oh… I'm fine with anything."
Ben: "Alright. Two lattes and grilled cheese sandwiches."
Luisa nodded quietly.
The order arrived.
The soft steam rose from the cups.
But Luisa wasn't really there.
She stared at her drink—
lost in her thoughts.
After a moment—
Ben spoke.
Ben: "Charlotte loves grilled cheese sandwiches."
Luisa looked up.
And felt that sharp pain again.
Luisa: "Oh… that's nice."
Ben smiled faintly.
Ben: "Yeah… she loves anything with cheese."
Luisa: "I see…"
Luisa (thinking):
Why do I have to go through this…?
This is my fault… I should've said no…
Ben continued, unaware.
Ben: "What do you like to eat?"
Luisa: "Anything is fine…"
Ben: "Do you know how to cook?"
Luisa: "Yeah."
Ben: "Charlotte is really bad at cooking though. Her family owns a small café, but she barely knows anything."
Luisa forced a small smile.
Luisa: "That's… kind of cute."
Luisa (thinking):
Please… just stop…
But Ben didn't stop.
He kept talking.
About Charlotte.
Her habits.
Her smile.
Their memories.
And with every word—
Luisa felt like something inside her was breaking again.
Slowly.
Silently.
She sat there—
Listening.
Smiling when needed.
Nodding when required.
But inside—
She just wanted to run away.