I leaned in and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly even as he trembled. My tears soaked into the back of his shirt. He clung to like a drowning man to driftwood.
"I’m here," I whispered. "I’ll always be here for you, Luis Miguel. As a friend. As your sister. I promise. You’re not alone."
There was a pause. It was a mont suspended in heavy air.
Then he pulled back slowly with his eyes scanning mine. I felt the shift before I even registered what it ant. Luis Miguel’s eyes dropped to my lips, and I realized too late what was happening.
He inclined toward and I froze. His hand slid up to cradle the side of my face, gentle, shaking, and desperate.
I turned my head away before our lips could et.
"Luis..." I said softly, placing my hand over his and moving it down. "No."
He blinked, then recoiled as if stung. "I—sorry. I didn’t an to..."
The attempt sort of brings back the mories of the day they all had pinned in the alley by the market.
I knew they’d repent and redeem themselves but it didn’t invalidate my trauma.
"It’s okay. I know you’re hurting. I am too. But this isn’t... it’s not the ti, okay? We’re grieving. And I ant what I said. I’m here as your friend. As your sister. Let’s hold onto that."
He stared at the ground, sha blooming across his face in patches of red. "I’m such an idiot."
"No, you’re not." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You’re heartbroken. We both are. And sotis grief makes us reach out in ways we don’t understand. But I’m still here. And I still care."
There was silence. Then he sniffed hard and gave a shaky nod.
"Okay," he murmured. "Okay."
As the sun dipped lower, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine. The warmth of the day began to wane, replaced by the cool embrace of the evening. I glanced at Luis Miguel.
His face was mapped with sorrow and resilience, etched with lines that spoke of recent grief and lingering mories.
"We should head back in," I suggested softly, breaking the silence that had settled between us.
He nodded, rising from the bench with a sigh. We walked back into the house, the creaking floorboards beneath our feet echoing the reality of our shared loss.
Inside, the aroma of steaming soup was still in thair, though faint. It was a comforting reminder of the ho’s enduring warmth.
Approaching the kitchen, I found Luis Miguel’s mother bustling about even though her movents were willful they were still tinged with lancholy.
"Señora," I began, "thank you for your hospitality. I should be going now."
She turned to and her eyes were moist but kind. "María José, you’re always welco here. Take care, dear. Don’t stay out late. I tell you, Los chicos, this pack is now filled with serial killers."
"Thank you, señora. I’ll make sure to be extra careful." I bead at the woman.
I understood her fear after everything that’s happened.
Luis Miguel appeared beside with a bland expression.
"I’ll walk you out," he offered, the remnants of the awkward mont we had back then still palpable.
We stepped outside with the evening air crisp against our skin. The streetlights blinked to life, illuminating a golden hue over the quiet neighborhood. As we walked, silence enveloped us, until Luis Miguel broke it.
"So," he began in a casual yet probing tone, "you and Beta Axel?"
Huh?
I turned to him, eyebrows raised in confusion. "What do you an?"
He shrugged with a smirk appearing on his lips. "He’s always looking out for you. The way he cares... it’s like he loves you."
Well, he indeed loves . I’m glad you noticed, Luis Miguel. However, one thing baffled . How on earth did Luis Miguel know this?
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Are you saying that just because you brought Axel to Santa Leticia?"
Luis Miguel’s smirk faded and he took on a serious deanor. "That, and when Beta Axel ca to punish us because of what we did to you."
Punish them for what they did to ?! What on earth was that supposed to an?
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him fully. "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "After everything that happened, he made us sweep the entire market. Said we needed to turn over a new leaf. It was his way of making us atone for our actions."
OMG! Axel did that?!
How co no one told ?! But then, thinking back at how the boys suddenly turned a new leaf and how they had gone about it, I should have realized that sothing didn’t sit quite right.
I stared at him as the revelation sank in. "So that’s why you all suddenly changed?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It was his doing and I’m sincerely grateful for him because God knows the amount of mistakes I might have made if I hadn’t changed."
He glanced at , eyes lancholic and glossy. "Especially when it cos to you."
He was right. He did make a lot of mistakes.
A wave of admiration and gratitude washed over . I had always known Axel was kind, but this... this was beyond anything I had imagined. My heart swelled with appreciation for the man who had stood up for , who had believed in my worth even when others hadn’t.
"Thank you for telling ," I whispered, my voice beyond emotional.
Luis Miguel smiled. I could see the genuine warmth in his eyes. "He cares about you, María José. Maybe more than you realize."
Axel cared about . Luis Miguel of all people was affirming that to . It was just yet another confirmation that whoever I saw at Don Diego’s villa, the one who ca to claim and have sex with Rosa was no one but an imposter witch.
I’d do anything to clear Axel’s na and get him the justice he deserved.
As we reached the end of the street, I turned to Luis Miguel, placing a hand on his arm. "Thank you, Luis. For everything. Turning a new leaf and being my second friend ever."
He nodded, and we stood there for a mont. Then, with a final smile, I turned and walked away with my heart lighter than it had been in days.
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