Lucy woke up the next morning with one thought in her head—
She wasn't going to work.
Her body felt tired.
But it wasn't just that.
It was everything.
The whispers.
The looks.
The pressure.
She sat on the edge of her bed for a moment, staring at her phone.
Then she picked it up and called her supervisor.
The line rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then it connected.
"Hello?" the supervisor's voice came, sharp as usual.
"Good morning, ma," Lucy said, trying to sound weak. "I… I'm not feeling well today. I won't be able to come in."
There was a pause.
A strange one.
Then—
"That's fine," the supervisor said quickly.
Too quickly.
Lucy blinked.
"…Ma?"
"It's better for you to stay at home," she added, her tone almost… relieved.
Lucy frowned slightly.
"Okay… thank you, ma."
The call ended.
Lucy lowered the phone slowly.
That response—
Didn't feel normal.
But she didn't think too much about it.
Right now, she just needed peace.
When she stepped out, her mother noticed immediately.
"You're not going to work today?"
Lucy forced a small smile.
"I'm not feeling too strong. I just need to rest."
Her mother looked at her for a second, then nodded.
"Okay. Don't stress yourself too much."
Ruben raised a brow.
"Since when do you miss work?"
Lucy gave him a look.
"Since today."
He smirked. "Hmm."
But he didn't push.
The day passed quietly.
Surprisingly normal.
Lucy helped her mother in the kitchen.
Cutting vegetables.
Washing dishes.
"You've been quiet these days," her mother said gently.
Lucy shrugged. "Just tired."
Later, she played games with Ruben.
For a moment—
She laughed.
A real laugh.
"See? You're not dying," Ruben teased.
"Shut up," Lucy said, smiling slightly.
For a few hours—
It felt like nothing was wrong.
But evening came.
And with it—
That feeling again.
Lucy stepped outside.
"I'm going for a walk," she said.
"Don't stay too long," her mother replied.
The air was cooler.
Calmer.
Lucy walked slowly, her hands tucked into herself.
Trying to clear her head.
Then—
She saw him.
Jurbe.
Leaning slightly against his car.
Like he had nowhere else to be.
Lucy's heart skipped.
Not today…
She immediately looked away and tried to walk past without being noticed.
But it was too late.
He had already seen her.
He pushed himself off the car and walked toward her.
Lucy sighed under her breath.
"You again," she said, stopping.
"You again," he replied calmly.
She crossed her arms. "Do you always appear everywhere I go?"
"Only where you are," he said.
Lucy frowned. "That's not funny."
"It wasn't a joke."
There was a brief silence.
Lucy tried to move past him again.
But he followed.
"You're avoiding me," he said.
Lucy stopped walking.
Turned to him.
"Yes."
He didn't look offended.
Just… calm.
"You shouldn't," he said.
Lucy let out a small breath. "You don't get to decide that."
They started walking.
Side by side.
Slowly.
After a moment, Lucy spoke again.
"…Why did you just stand there that day?" she asked.
"While your men were beating that man."
Jurbe glanced at her.
Then forward again.
"He wasn't innocent," he said.
Lucy frowned. "That doesn't mean—"
"He harmed someone who couldn't fight back," he added.
Lucy went quiet.
"He thought no one would do anything," Jurbe continued.
"He was wrong."
Lucy swallowed slightly.
The anger she felt that day—
Shifted.
"…I didn't know," she said quietly.
"You didn't ask," he replied.
She sighed.
"…I'm sorry."
A small pause.
"And… thank you," she added.
"For the other day. When it rained."
He looked at her this time.
Really looked at her.
"You're welcome," he said.
They walked in silence again.
They stopped by a small stand and got ice cream.
Lucy took a bite, then glanced at him.
"You don't look like someone who eats ice cream."
"And you don't look like someone who trusts easily," he replied.
She huffed lightly.
"Fair."
After a moment, he asked—
"Why didn't you go to work today?"
Lucy hesitated.
Then shrugged.
"I was stressed. I needed rest."
He watched her for a second.
Like he didn't fully believe her.
But he didn't push.
The sky slowly darkened.
Lucy checked the time.
6:47 PM.
"I should go home," she said.
"I'll walk you," he replied.
"I can go alone."
"I know."
But he still walked with her.
When they reached the house—
Ruben was outside.
He saw them.
And froze.
"…Lucy?"
Lucy sighed.
"Relax. He just walked me home."
Ruben looked at Jurbe.
Then back at Lucy.
They stood there for a moment.
Then somehow—
They started talking.
Jurbe explained again what the man had done that day.
Ruben listened carefully.
His expression slowly changing.
"…So that's what happened," Ruben said quietly.
Lucy crossed her arms.
"Now you see why I apologized."
Ruben nodded slowly.
After a while—
Jurbe stepped back slightly.
"I should go."
Lucy nodded.
"Good."
He looked at her.
A small, almost teasing look.
"You should make something delicious," he said.
"I'm coming on Sunday."
Lucy frowned.
"Who invited you again?"
"Your mother."
Lucy sighed.
"Just don't expect anything special," she said.
He smiled.
"I do."
Then he turned and left.
Lucy stood there.
Watching him go.
Ruben nudged her lightly.
"You're in trouble," he said.
Lucy didn't respond.
Because deep down
She already knew.
This wasn't simple anymore.