The corner café was nearly empty. Warm lights contrasted with the chill outside as Santiago stirred his coffee with impatient clicks of the spoon. Xavier watched him, lounging against the backrest as if he had all the time in the world.
—Didn't take you for someone who liked places so… quiet —remarked Santiago, arching an eyebrow.
—Sometimes silence speaks louder than shouting —Xavier replied with a tilted smile.
A waiter passed by, leaving the scent of fresh-baked bread hanging in the air. Santiago planted his elbows on the table and stared.
—Heard you've been spending time with Saval and Semiel lately. Curious, considering… your history with Antonella.
Xavier let out a short laugh, as if the insinuation didn't faze him in the slightest.
—"History" is such a heavy word, Santiago. —He took a sip of coffee—. Let's say I enjoy connecting dots. Sometimes those dots become people.
Santiago studied him, trying to decipher what lay behind that careless facade.
—You know you can't trust them. —His voice dropped—. Antonella played all of us.
—And? —Xavier rested his chin on his hand, grinning almost childishly—. The chaos she left behind is… delicious. People show their true colors when everything burns.
Santiago clicked his tongue.
—Thought you cared more about your reputation.
—I'm not here to look good —Xavier countered—. I just want to watch the pieces move. You, Saval, Semiel… even Antonella before she left. You all think you're players, but most are just pawns.
It's incredible how Santiago thinks he can provoke me so easily.
Silence settled briefly, broken only by the clink of cups at another table.
—And what role do you think you have? —Santiago leaned forward.
—The one who watches… and occasionally nudges —Xavier smiled cryptically—. I don't care who wins, only that the game stays interesting.
Santiago frowned.
—So this is just a game to you.
—Everything is, if you know how to look —Xavier shrugged—. And you should know that better than anyone.
The remark made Santiago glance away for a second, as if recalling something uncomfortable.
—Sooner or later, everyone shows their hand —murmured Santiago—. Even you.
—Maybe… —Xavier leaned in, lowering his voice—. Or maybe I already did, and no one noticed.
Let the tension crack just a little more…
Santiago took a long sip, buying time.
—If you think Saval and Semiel will give you anything, you're wrong. They're just using whatever's convenient from you.
—And I'm using them —Xavier replied smoothly—. That's why it works. None of us are looking for friendship.
Santiago watched him with mingled curiosity and irritation.
—And Antonella?
Xavier smiled, this time colder.
—She played her part and left. As she should. —He spun his cup idly—. Though she left enough embers to keep this burning for a long time.
And I'll make sure they never go out.
Santiago set his spoon down with a metallic clink.
—I don't know what you're after, Xavier, but if you come at me, you'll lose.
—I'm not against you —he said, rising leisurely—. I'm against everyone. More fun that way.
The waiter approached with the check, and Xavier took it before Santiago could react.
—My treat —he said, tucking the receipt away—. Consider it payment for the entertainment.
Santiago's gaze followed him as he walked toward the door. Xavier paused, glancing back one last time.
—Oh, and Santiago… —his lips curled in a half-smile—. Don't forget—in this game, sometimes chaos is the only winner. Though... if you ever need my services, you know where to find me. And what to pay...heh
He left, leaving Santiago alone with his now-cold coffee and a restlessness he couldn't quell.