Luisa sat in the library, staring at the same page for minutes.
But she wasn't reading.
Her mind was somewhere else.
Far away.
Luisa (thinking):
There is no other option left…
Her fingers slowly tightened around her pen.
Luisa (thinking):
When Ben heals… I will leave him…
And I will never meet him again.
Her heart felt heavy saying that.
But this time—
She didn't hesitate.
Luisa (thinking):
This is the only way…
A quiet determination settled inside her.
Painful.
But firm.
She slowly stood up.
Picked her bag.
And walked toward her class.
In Class
Ben and David were already seated.
Both of them—
Almost unconsciously—
Looked toward the door.
Waiting.
And then—
Luisa entered.
Her steps were quiet.
Her face calm.
But her eyes—
Still tired.
Still distant.
She didn't look at either of them.
Didn't smile.
Didn't greet.
She just walked to her seat—
And sat down.
Silently.
David frowned slightly.
David (thinking):
What's wrong with her…?
Something felt off.
More than usual.
Ben noticed too.
But he said nothing.
Just watched her quietly.
The class went on—
But Luisa barely paid attention.
Her mind kept repeating the same thing—
I have to leave…
After Class
Before anyone could stop her—
Luisa quickly picked up her bag—
And walked out.
Fast.
Avoiding.
Escaping.
At the Bus Stop
The sky had turned cloudy.
Dark grey clouds covered the sky.
The wind had grown colder.
Luisa stood there—
Wrapping her arms around herself.
Trying to keep warm.
Or maybe—
Trying to hold herself together.
"Hi, Luisa."
She turned slightly.
David.
Standing beside her.
Calm as always.
Luisa (quietly):
"Hi…"
David:
"How are you?"
Luisa:
"Good… you?"
David:
"I'm good."
A pause.
But David didn't look away this time.
He kept looking at her—
Carefully.
Observing.
David (thinking):
Something is definitely wrong…
David:
"Hey…"
Luisa looked at him.
David:
"Are you okay?"
Luisa nodded quickly.
Luisa:
"Yeah… I'm fine."
But her voice—
Didn't match.
At all.
David looked at her for a few more seconds.
His expression soft.
Concerned.
David (thinking):
You don't look fine…
After a moment—
He spoke again.
David:
"Are you free this evening?"
Luisa paused.
Her mind instantly started thinking—
Luisa (thinking):
What should I say…?
She looked at him.
He was waiting.
Patiently.
Not forcing.
Just… waiting.
And for some reason—
She didn't say no.
Luisa:
"…Yes."
David's expression softened slightly.
David:
"Can we meet at Himmer Garden?"
Luisa hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
Luisa:
"Okay… sure."
David:
"I'll be waiting."
The bus arrived.
They both stepped in.
Stood quietly.
No conversation this time.
Just silence.
After a few stops—
Luisa got down.
Luisa:
"Bye…"
David:
"Take care."
She nodded—
And walked away.
David's Apartment
David entered his apartment.
Closed the door behind him.
The silence inside felt different today.
He placed his keys on the table—
And loosened his jacket.
Just as he was about to sit—
His phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
Dad.
He picked up.
David:
"Hi, Dad."
Father:
"Hi, son. How are you?"
David:
"I'm good… is everything okay?"
There was a small pause.
Then his father spoke—
Serious.
David's posture straightened slightly.
Father:
"Yes, son. I need to talk to you."
David:
"…Tell me."
Father:
"You already know… your grandfather was the chairman of our company."
David's expression changed slightly.
He listened carefully.
Father:
"And now… he's no more. So I'm taking his place."
David stayed silent.
But something inside him—
Already understood what was coming.
Father continued—
Father:
"Our company needs you now."
Before he could finish—
David interrupted.
David:
"No, Dad… you know I can't… I'm still in my second year…"
His voice held hesitation.
Conflict.
But his father didn't stop.
Father:
"David, don't say that."
A firm tone.
Father:
"You know I understand everything."
David went quiet.
Father:
"I know you chose to stay in Himmer because you wanted a normal life."
A pause.
Father:
"But right now—our company needs you."
David closed his eyes for a second.
Father:
"You're capable. You're intelligent. You've always been the best."
David's grip on the phone tightened.
Father:
"I've never forced you before."
Another pause.
He softened his tone slightly.
Father:
"But this time… I have to."
Silence.
Heavy.
Father:
"You have to leave Himmer… and come back to Lore."
David's breath slowed.
His mind—
Blank.
David:
"But Dad… I mean…"
Father:
"Take your time."
And then—
The call ended.
David stood there.
Still holding the phone.
His thoughts racing.
David (whispered):
"…What should I do…?"
His eyes drifted toward the window.
The city stretched outside—
Calm.
Unaware.
David (thinking):
Do I really have to leave everything…?
A pause.
And then—
One thought came.
Clear.
Luisa.
David (thinking):
…and her?
For the first time—
The idea of leaving—
Didn't feel simple anymore.
It felt—
Heavy.
Complicated.
And painful in a way he didn't expect.
Outside—
The sky grew darker.
As if something was about to change.
For all of them.