The restaurant was quieter than the last one
Not as grand, not as loud, but warm in a way that felt intentional
Soft lighting, low music, the kind of place where conversations didn't need to compete with anything else
Elina liked it immediately
"This is nice," she said, her voice calm as she took her seat
Victor smiled, watching her for a second longer than necessary
"I figured you'd prefer something like this"
She glanced at him, a small smile forming
"You figured right"
There was no pressure in the air
No unspoken weight
No need to read between lines
Just… ease
For the first time in a while, Elina felt her shoulders relax without thinking about it
Victor noticed
Of course he did
"You look different tonight," he said
She raised a brow slightly
"Different how"
"Lighter," he replied simply
She didn't answer immediately
Because part of her knew what he meant
"I'm trying to be," she said after a moment
Victor nodded slowly, like he understood more than she said out loud
"And is it working"
Elina let out a quiet breath, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her glass
"Some moments, yes"
He leaned back slightly, studying her
"And the other moments"
She met his gaze this time
"I let them pass"
There was something about the way she said it
Not forced
Not defensive
Just honest
Victor smiled again, softer now
"I like that"
Their food came, but neither of them rushed
The conversation flowed easily after that
Small things at first
Work, random observations, quiet jokes that didn't need effort
Then deeper things
"You don't talk about yourself much," Victor said at some point, his tone casual but curious
Elina tilted her head slightly
"There's not much to say"
"I don't believe that"
She smiled faintly
"Most people don't"
He leaned forward slightly, resting his arm on the table
"I think you've just learned to keep things to yourself"
That made her pause
Not because he was wrong
But because he wasn't
"Maybe," she admitted quietly
"And maybe," he added, "you don't have to do that all the time"
For a second, she didn't respond
Because that—
That felt unfamiliar
Not uncomfortable
Just… new
Across the city, in a place far less quiet, Belonia sat with Clara once again
Another dinner
Another setting that made sense
Clara was speaking, something about timelines, about merging interests, her voice smooth as always
But Belonia wasn't fully listening
He had tried
He really had
But his mind kept drifting
To a different table
A different conversation
A different kind of silence
"You're not here again," Clara said, setting her glass down
Belonia exhaled slowly
"I'm here"
She shook her head slightly, her gaze steady
"No, you're not"
Silence settled between them
Clara leaned forward just slightly, her voice softer now
"Is this about her"
That made him look at her
Really look
"I don't know what you're talking about"
Clara held his gaze, not convinced
"You don't have to say it"
He didn't respond
Because for the first time
He didn't have a clear answer
Back at the restaurant, Elina laughed softly at something Victor said
A real laugh
Not forced
Not held back
And something about that moment felt… easy
Victor watched her carefully
"You don't do that often"
"Do what"
"Laugh like that"
She shook her head slightly, still smiling
"Maybe I just haven't had a reason to"
He didn't look away
"Maybe you just needed the right one"
That made her pause
Not uncomfortable
Just… aware
"Victor—" she started
But he shook his head lightly
"Relax, I'm not rushing you"
She exhaled softly, grateful for that
"I just enjoy being around you," he added
And this time
She didn't pull away from the words
Because they were simple
Clear
Honest
No confusion
No mixed signals
Just… intention
Later that night, as they stepped outside, the air felt cooler, quieter
Victor walked beside her, hands in his pockets
"I had a good time," he said
"So did I"
He stopped then, turning slightly toward her
"Can I see you again"
The question wasn't complicated
But the answer…
Elina looked at him
Really looked this time
Then she nodded
"Yes"
And just like that
Something new began
Not rushed
Not forced
Just… possible
Across the city, Belonia finally stood up from his table
Clara watched him carefully
"You're leaving"
"Yes"
"Without finishing dinner"
"I have something to handle"
Her eyes narrowed slightly
"But not with me"
He didn't answer
And that was answer enough
Because somewhere deep down
Something had already started slipping
And he was beginning to feel it