Saval sat on one of the park benches, absentmindedly staring at the ground. He had arrived earlier than planned, hoping the fresh air would help clear his thoughts, but all it had done was make his mind spin even more. Antonella. Semiel. The call from last night. That kiss.
His chest felt heavy. Even after managing to sleep a few hours, the confusion hadn't gone away. He tried to picture Antonella's face from the past, to remember how he had felt when he first confessed his feelings to her. But now, that image blurred, tangled with the way she had smiled at him last night—like something he couldn't quite understand.
—This shouldn't have gotten so complicated.
But it had. Because no matter how much he wanted to trust her, no matter how much he wished to believe that her acceptance was sincere, the kiss with Semiel was burned into his mind like an open wound. Why had she done it? Why had they kissed? Why now, only after everything had come to light, had she suddenly decided she wanted to be with him?
He didn't have time to keep drowning in his thoughts because he heard footsteps approaching. Lifting his gaze, he saw Semiel walking toward him, his expression serious, brows furrowed.
—You came early.
Saval nodded without responding. Silence settled between them, thick and unyielding, neither willing to be the first to break it.
Semiel was the one who finally spoke.
—You know she's manipulating you, don't you?
Saval felt the tension snap into place instantly.
—I don't want to start this again.
—It's the truth.
—And what if it isn't? What if she really has changed?
Semiel clenched his fists.
—Saval, you know. You know exactly what Antonella is doing. You can't keep lying to yourself.
—You kissed her.
The words spilled out before he could stop them, heavy with hurt and betrayal. Semiel fell silent for a moment, caught off guard, then shook his head.
—She kissed me.
—But you didn't push her away immediately.
Semiel opened his mouth to reply, but a third voice interrupted them.
—Well, well. What an interesting conversation.
Antonella stood in front of them, a sweet smile on her lips, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She looked like she was enjoying the tension between them.
Saval felt his heart speed up. Semiel tensed, his whole body rigid, but Antonella simply walked over and sat beside Saval without asking for permission.
—You're late —Saval said, trying to keep his voice steady.
—Oh, I know. But I wanted to give you two some time alone. It seemed like you needed it.
Semiel scoffed.
—Stop playing games, Antonella. What do you really want?
Antonella looked at him with feigned surprise.
—Semiel, what a silly question. I came because I want to make things right with Saval.
—Make them right in a way that benefits you, you mean.
—In the best way possible, I'd say —Antonella responded with a mocking smile.
Saval closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the conversation slipping out of his control. He wanted to interrupt them, but Antonella kept talking, this time looking straight at him.
—Saval, tell me the truth. Do you trust me? Or are you going to keep listening to Semiel?
That question hit him hard. Because that was the real dilemma.
Antonella was giving him a choice.
Semiel was too.
And neither of them seemed to understand that he didn't want to choose.
But maybe he had no other option.
Before he could answer, Semiel stepped forward, his frustration clear in his gaze.
—Don't do this, Saval. Don't fall into her game.
—How do you know it's a game? —Saval's voice sounded tired.
—Because I know her better than you think.
Antonella let out a small laugh.
—Oh, Semiel, always so dramatic.
Semiel turned to her with a look sharp enough to cut through her amusement.
—Saval, if you go with her, you're going to lose yourself.
The silence that followed was heavy. Antonella kept smiling. Semiel waited for an answer. And Saval…
Saval felt like the world was spinning too fast around him.
He looked at Antonella. Then at Semiel.
He was about to make a decision that would change everything.
The truth is, I…
But just as he opened his mouth, a sound interrupted them. A sharp, heavy thud in the distance, followed by the sound of someone running.
All three of them turned their heads at the same time, looking toward the bushes.
Antonella frowned. Semiel tensed.
Saval felt his heart pounding in his chest. There was something strange about the way the sound had echoed in the air.
And before anyone could react, a figure stumbled out from between the trees, clothes torn, breathing ragged.
—It can't be… —Semiel murmured, stepping back.
For the first time, Antonella's smile disappeared.
Saval stood up from the bench, unsure of what to do.
But one thing was clear.
Whatever had just happened was about to change everything.