Hi, tanuki chan here...first....
GUYSSS, WE HIT 10K VIEWS!!!
I legit can't believe it… I'm Forever on Hold just passed 10 k views and I'm screaming inside (and also outside lol). thx u so much for reading with me every week. like... i started this story in my notes app with zero expectations and now??? THIS??? omg T-T
So!! I've been thinking a lot and I finally did it — I'm making a PatreonStarting next week, you'll be able to read early chapters in English before they drop anywhere else!!
I'll post the link super soon, but just know... this means the world to me. and i can't wait to share even more of Saval and Semiel's journey with u <3
thx again for everything...Now, enjoy today's chapter!
.....
The coffee was more bitter than usual that morning. Semiel noticed it as soon as he took the first sip, sitting at one of the tables farthest from campus. Outside, the sky was covered with thick clouds, and he could feel it—something inside him said something was about to happen.
—You're right on time —said Xavier, appearing at his side with a mug in one hand and an envelope tucked under his arm.
Semiel nodded. He hadn't slept well the night before—not after what he'd agreed to.
—Where's Saval? —Xavier asked, pretending not to care.
—He's not coming. We agreed this was just between you and me.
Xavier smiled like he already knew.
—Perfect. Then let's get to the point.
He placed the envelope on the table and pulled out a smaller one from it. It was made of thick, slightly yellowed paper, with no name or markings. Just a small red wax seal on the flap.
—That's it? —Semiel asked, raising an eyebrow.
—That's it —Xavier replied calmly—. Take it to this address —he handed him a small piece of paper, folded into quarters—. Knock on the door, hand it over. Don't say a word. Don't wait for a reply. Don't open it.
Semiel frowned.
—You're not going to tell me what's inside?
—No —Xavier took a sip of his coffee—. Just know it's not for you. So don't read it.
The silence between them grew thick for a few seconds. Semiel stared at the envelope like he was expecting it to reveal its contents just by holding it.
—I thought you'd ask for something... harder.
—Who said this is easy? —Xavier grinned—. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most complicated.
Semiel didn't answer. He tucked the envelope and the address into his backpack.
—I'll do it today.
—Excellent —Xavier stood up—. I'll be watching.
—Is that a threat? —Semiel asked, annoyed.
—Are you scared? —Xavier shrugged and walked away without looking back.
Semiel stayed there a few minutes longer. The envelope felt heavier than it really was. Something didn't add up. But he'd made a deal, and he'd keep his word. Not for Xavier. For himself. Because he had to pay the favor alone—he couldn't drag Saval into it.
...
Santiago walked through the faculty halls with a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time: lightness. Several students nodded at him, a few even with a brief smile. No one insulted him. No one avoided him. They no longer saw him as a pariah.
It was a new feeling, like someone had finally taken a weight off his shoulders. Social media wasn't full of hate anymore. David's strategy had worked better than expected.
He stopped in front of one of the boards in the administration building. They were putting up new notices for internship placements.
—You looking for options too? —asked a voice behind him. It was Fernanda, a classmate he'd barely spoken to before.
—Yeah —he answered, surprised by how natural his voice sounded—. It's never too late to try and do things right, right?
She smiled and went on her way.
Santiago allowed himself a small smile. Maybe, after all, things could actually get better.
But peace never lasts long.
As he left the building, he overheard two students talking in low, urgent tones in the hallway.
—Did you hear about the printers?
—The ones bought with the lost funds?
—Yeah. Word is someone found proof of who was responsible.
—Who?
—Not clear yet, but rumor has it it's one of the guys from the video. The one involved with the Antonella stuff.
He felt his blood pressure drop. He froze. His breathing quickened. The air no longer felt light.
That incident had happened last year. Funds meant for buying printers for the faculty had vanished, and no one had been declared guilty. Santiago had done it. He knew it. No one else, except Antonella, knew. It was one of the many things he thought he had buried for good.
—Shit… —he whispered to himself.
This was a message. No—this was a counterattack.
Antonella had already started making her moves.
...
Antonella was munching on chips while talking on the phone. The informant on the other end sounded calm, methodical.
—I'll have what you asked for tomorrow —he said—. But I gotta say… you've already started your counterattack, haven't you?
Antonella stopped eating.
—What are you talking about?
—I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard rumors that—coincidentally—people are now suspecting the ones from the video of being behind the printer fund theft at your faculty.
Antonella scoffed, unimpressed.
—Maybe I did something. Since when do I have to explain myself to you?
—Alright, alright, easy there, princess. No need to get defensive, I was just saying.
There was a short pause on the other end. Then the man added:
—The address is... Remember, go early. Just pick up the envelope—you'll find the info inside.
Antonella hung up without a word, staring at her phone, deep in thought.
I need to finish them off, once and for all.
—And then —she said to herself— I'll pay that guy back. But on my terms.
...
Semiel arrived at the address Xavier had given him just before sunset. It was an old house, well-kept, with a small garden out front. He knocked on the door. An older woman answered, wearing a calm, kind smile.
—Good afternoon —Semiel said softly—. This is for you.
She took the letter, holding it as if she recognized the envelope. She simply accepted it and smiled.
—Thank you, young man.
Semiel nodded and walked away without looking back. He hadn't exchanged more words—he didn't want to know more. But as he walked off, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just become part of something much bigger.
Behind him, the woman closed the door and sat in her armchair. She stared at the envelope for a long moment, without opening it.
—Another sale, it seems —she whispered.
She placed it inside a wooden box, alongside other similar envelopes. None of them had been opened. She just had to wait for the next person and hand them the right envelope.
Hope the next client shows up soon. I've gotta finish watching my 6 o'clock tv series.