Antonella got there five minutes early. She sat at the farthest table in the café, the one by the window but hidden from the street. She always asked for that spot when she needed privacy. She'd been doing it long before all this, long before the war began.
The waiter greeted her like an old friend. She gave him a polite smile, ordered a coffee, and sat upright, eyes sharp. She still wasn't sure if Semiel was actually going to show up. He'd sounded determined on the phone, but also tired—like he was speaking from the bottom of a well.
If he'd called her, it meant the decision was already made.
She didn't bother pulling out her phone. Didn't check her WhatsApp. She just waited. With that stillness of hers that wasn't really stillness, but strategy. When it came to serious matters, silence said more than any words.
The coffee arrived, and just as she took the first sip, she saw him walk in.
Semiel scanned the place. He walked to her table with steady steps, like someone walking into a place where he knew he could get hurt. He sat down without saying hello, dropped his backpack on the floor, and leaned on the table with both elbows.
—Don't like being here —he said without looking at her.
Antonella set her cup down.
—And yet here you are.
He gave the faintest nod.
—You knew I'd come.
She studied him for a second. The way he sat, stiff, not touching anything on the table, like he might leave any second. The way he avoided eye contact.
He wasn't comfortable—he wanted to leave, that much was obvious.
—You mentioned a deal —Antonella asked, curious.
—Yeah. I've got info on Santiago.
—So you read the file.
—I did —he replied—. And I want to know if that's all you've got.
Antonella smiled slightly.
—For now.
—For now?
—I'm not gonna lie to you. I have more. Enough to not just get Santiago kicked out of the university, but leave him with a record. But I haven't used it. Haven't sent it. I'm waiting.
—Waiting for what?
—Your answer.
Semiel let out a tired sigh.
—Will you leave us alone?
—I hope you make the right choice.
There was a tense silence. The café's noise felt far away. People around them were talking, laughing, ordering desserts—while the two of them were deciding whether to destroy someone.
—I don't hate him —Semiel finally said—. It's just... it's not safe to be around him.
—Good, then you understand. Either you walk away from him, or I crush all three of you.
Antonella took another sip of her coffee. She didn't take her eyes off him. He felt that stare like a weight pressing on his chest.
—You're mad at me —he said suddenly.
She didn't answer right away. She looked down for a second, like choosing her words.
—Of course I am. You're a disobedient little puppy. You even used one of my old toys to turn against me.
—Why are you still doing this?
—Because I want revenge. Saval said thank you and dumped me—did you think I wouldn't strike back? But now I'm curious about your so-called deal —Antonella said, flashing an amused smile.
Semiel lowered his gaze. Rubbed his hands on his thighs. There was guilt in the gesture, but also a kind of sadness that was hard to put into words.
—I'll give you info I collected on Santiago. I didn't trust him at first, so I asked around and got a few things. It's not huge, but if you add it to what you already have, you can bury him.
—Interesting. And what do you want in exchange for that info?
—Leave Saval out of this. Keep him away from all the chaos.
—Ahh, Saval... I see. You wanna protect him, huh? Your beloved one, je je.
Semiel looked up. His eyes were full of hatred—but also resignation.
—Will you take the deal?
Antonella didn't smile. She didn't show any hint of victory. She just nodded, like she already knew this was going to happen. Like she'd just been waiting for him to say it out loud.
—Fine. But only him? You know I could also clear your name from all the accusations...
He tensed.
—And what do you want for that?
—Your loyalty.
—Impossible. I'm not gonna be your dog again.
—I know. But I had to try.
—I'm used to being alone anyway. That's the deal. Take it or leave it.
She frowned a little.
—Saval's also part of my revenge.
—Just let it go. He only said thank you. You don't really hate him, do you? Even you know how innocent he is.
—THAT WAS A HUMILIATION!
—Only you saw it that way. Do you accept the deal or do I go down with you?
Antonella stared at him for a long moment.
—What are you talking about?
Semiel looked right at her.
—I'll reveal everything.
—You already did, and it didn't work. Forgot that, puppy?
—A certain informant gave me some of your stuff. I paid a good price.
—You can't mean... — Antonella began sweating.
—An old lady. A box. That should ring a bell.
Old lady... box... IT CAN'T BE!
—How do you know about that? No... he sold you info.
—I owe him a favor now.
—What is it? What do you have on me?
—What you did to pay your first favor. The photos.
Antonella started remembering. The first time she asked the informant for help, it was to get revenge on a girl who made fun of her. She was furious and accepted the deal. In the end, the price was... compromising photos of herself. That's why she'd sworn never to use him again. But this time, she was too angry. She never thought he'd betray her like this.
That bastard. He'll pay for this.
—Fine. You've got a deal. But I want the photos.
—No. I'll just keep them hidden. They're insurance in case you break your end.
—Puppy, give me those photos — Antonella snapped.
—I'm not giving you my only weapon against you. I'm not stupid. Take the deal: crush Santiago and leave Saval out of it.
Antonella leaned back in her chair, staring at him.
Minutes passed while she thought it over.
—I'm not gonna make it easy. You'll fall with Santiago too.
—You never did.
—It's nothing personal.
—Of course it is —he finally said, locking eyes with her—. It's always been personal. For you. For me. For all of us.
—Once this starts —she said—, there's no going back. Santiago's gonna know it was you. There won't be any doubt.
—I know.
—And Saval...
—I won't lie to him. But I won't burden him with this either.
—You really care about him, huh...
"I love him," Semiel said, his eyes full of conviction—there wasn't a trace of doubt in them.
For a moment, something like a truce hung between them. It wasn't reconciliation. It wasn't lasting peace. It was just a shared awareness that they were both about to cross a line—and that they'd do it fully knowing what they were giving up.
"You win. I'll leave Saval out of this," she said at last, picking up her bag. "You decide when to start."
Semiel didn't say anything. He just nodded.
She stood up. Paused for a second, watching him.
"I know you're doing it for him."
Semiel lowered his gaze.
"I'd give my life for him."
Antonella nodded once more, turned around, and walked away.
He was left alone. With a cup of coffee in front of him, still faintly steaming—and an enormous emptiness in his chest.
. . .
Semiel walked home feeling like he'd left something behind. Not something physical—not an object or a piece of clothing—but a part of himself. As if, at that table, with that silent deal, he had given up a piece of himself he'd never get back.
The street was calm. The trees swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. Cars passed by, a few cyclists, a woman holding her child's hand. Everything looked so normal. So distant.
He pulled out his phone and checked it. No messages from Saval. No calls. Just old notifications.
He thought of him.
Of his distracted smile.
Of the way they spent time together.
Of how he said his name in that teasing, soft tone.
Of how he sometimes fell asleep on the phone, breathing slowly, peacefully, like there was no one on the other end who could ever hurt him.
And then he knew.
Everything he'd done, everything he was about to do… wasn't just about justice.
It was about him.
About Saval.
Because he loved him.
And if that meant making a deal with the devil—then he was ready.
He wasn't afraid anymore.