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Chapter 11 - Chapter Eleven

Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows, brushing across the sheets tangled around Rina's legs. She turned over, her eyes fluttering open slowly, and the first thing she saw was Alex, standing by the balcony with his shirt half-buttoned, a mug of coffee in his hand.

He turned when he felt her watching. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he said with that teasing tone that always got to her.

She smiled lazily. "You're too awake for someone who barely slept."

He chuckled and walked over, setting his coffee down on the bedside table before sitting beside her. "I had things on my mind."

"Work?" she asked.

He shook his head. "You."

Rina rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop the heat from creeping up her neck. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe," he said, brushing his fingers through her messy hair. "But I meant it."

They sat in silence for a while, the city hum in the background. It felt too perfect — the calm before something she couldn't quite name.

When she finally sat up, pulling the sheet around her, Alex handed her his shirt. "Wear this. I don't want you walking around my place in just that."

She grinned. "Possessive much?"

"Completely," he said without hesitation.

They ate breakfast together in his kitchen — pancakes, coffee, and quiet laughter. For a few hours, it felt like they were living in a different world, one where things were simple. But as Rina's phone buzzed with several missed calls, reality crept back in.

She looked down at the screen — Luis, Bianca, and one from her mom. Her smile faded.

Alex noticed. "You don't have to go back there today," he said, setting his fork down.

"I know," she murmured, staring at the phone. "But I can't avoid them forever."

He studied her for a moment. "Then let me go with you."

Rina looked up sharply. "Alex, that'll just make it worse."

"Maybe," he said. "Or maybe it's time they understand you're not alone anymore."

She sighed and leaned back in her chair, torn between fear and the strange comfort his words gave her.

"Let's take it slow," she finally said. "One fight at a time."

Alex nodded. "Then we start today. Together."

The way he said it — steady, sure — made something inside her settle. Rina didn't know what was coming, but with Alex beside her, she wasn't as scared to find out.

Later that day, Rina returned to her apartment. The air felt heavy, too quiet. She dropped her bag on the couch and was about to take off her shoes when she heard a knock. It was Luis.

Her heart skipped, and before she could decide what to do, he walked right in. "Where have you been?" His tone was sharp, the kind that carried jealousy and worry all at once.

Rina crossed her arms. "You shouldn't be here."

Luis stared at her like he didn't hear that. "I called you. So many times. You didn't answer. You were with him, weren't you?"

She sighed, too tired to lie. "Yes. I was with Alex."

Something in his eyes flickered — anger, regret, pain — all mixed up. "Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?"

"Luis," she said quietly, "you lost that right a long time ago."

He ran his hand through his hair, stepping closer. "I didn't mean to hurt you back then. I was stupid. I thought I was protecting you."

Rina took a small step back. "Protecting me from what? From love? From being happy?"

He reached for her arm, but before he could touch her, she moved away. "Don't, Luis. Don't make this harder than it already is."

For a moment, the room was silent except for both their breathing. Then Bianca's voice echoed from the hallway — she had followed him. "Oh, so this is where you run to after pretending you care about me?"

Rina turned, stunned. Bianca stormed in, eyes wild. "You really think you can take him from me again?"

"Bianca, stop!" Luis snapped, grabbing her arm.

"No!" Bianca screamed. "She's the reason everything is falling apart!"

Rina didn't move. She just looked at Luis — and what she saw on his face wasn't love. It was confusion. Guilt.

"Both of you should leave," Rina said finally, her voice calm but trembling.

Bianca sneered, "Don't act innocent. Everyone will see who you really are soon enough."

Rina didn't answer. She just turned and walked to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

On the other side, she leaned against it, her chest tight. The noise faded, replaced by the vibration of her phone. One message.

Alex: Are you okay?

She smiled weakly, wiped her eyes, and typed back, I am now.

The next morning, Rina woke up with a pounding headache and a heavy heart. The drama from last night still echoed in her mind. She dragged herself out of bed, made some coffee, and sat by the window. The city was already alive, but her mind felt too quiet — too calm for someone whose world was spinning out of control.

Her phone buzzed again — it was Alex. Good morning, sunshine. Hope you slept well.

A small smile crept up her lips. Barely, she replied.

A few seconds later, he sent another text. Get dressed. I'm outside.

She blinked, staring at the message in shock. "He's what?" she whispered to herself, rushing to the window. Sure enough, Alex's car was parked right outside her gate, the early morning sun glinting off the hood.

Rina's heart fluttered in a way she hadn't felt in years. She quickly threw on a simple top and jeans, brushed her hair, and stepped out. Alex leaned against his car, sunglasses on, looking annoyingly handsome.

"You look like you didn't sleep," he teased softly as she approached.

"I didn't," she admitted.

He opened the car door for her. "Then let's fix that with a good breakfast."

They drove off, music playing low in the background, a calm silence between them that felt almost comforting. When they got to the café, it was quiet — just the sound of spoons clinking and the smell of coffee in the air.

Alex ordered for her without asking, like he already knew what she liked. "You always forget to eat when you're stressed," he said, handing her a cup of hot chocolate.

Rina blinked. "How did you know?"

He grinned. "I pay attention."

That made her blush, but she tried to hide it by looking out the window. "You shouldn't spoil me like this," she murmured.

"Maybe I like spoiling you," he said, eyes soft but serious.

The words hung between them. For a second, she almost let herself forget everything — Luis, Bianca, the lies, the betrayal. But reality always had a way of creeping back in.

When she got home later that afternoon, Luis was waiting in the living room, pacing. "Where were you?" he demanded.

Rina sighed. "Not this again, Luis. I went out."

"With him?" His voice was sharper this time.

"Why do you care?" she asked, dropping her bag. "You have Bianca, remember? The one who faked a pregnancy to keep you."

Luis's eyes widened. "What did you say?"

She turned, meeting his gaze coldly. "You heard me. You think I don't know? You think I'm still that naive girl who believed everything you said?"

"Rina, it's not like that—"

"Then what is it like?" she cut him off. "You break me, cheat on me, and then act jealous when I move on?"

He clenched his fists. "Because I still care about you!"

Rina froze for a second, her heart skipping a beat. But she quickly masked it with a bitter laugh. "No, Luis. You don't care about me. You just hate losing control."

Before he could speak again, she walked past him, heading to her room. But as she reached the door, he spoke softly. "You've changed, Rina."

She paused, not looking back. "I had to."

When the door closed, Luis sat down, running his hands through his hair. Outside, thunder rumbled faintly, as if the sky itself shared the tension between them.

Meanwhile, in her room, Rina stared at her reflection. She didn't cry. Not this time. She had already wasted too many tears. Instead, she picked up her phone and texted Alex.

Still up for dinner tonight?

A second later, his reply came in. Always, beautiful.

And for the first time that day, Rina smiled — not because she was happy, but because she finally knew she was starting to feel alive again.

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