Chapter 13: Sparks of Truth

Gaona’s routine felt like it was unraveling. Over the next few days, subtle changes gnawed at his sense of normalcy.

Surveillance drones hovered longer than usual outside the diner, their mechanical eyes seeming to linger on him more than anyone else.

In the shadows of his peripheral vision, he occasionally spotted unfamiliar figures loitering near his apartment or on his route home.

Each time he turned to confront them, they were gone, as if they were ghosts in the crowded streets of Civic Sector Delta.

A Well-Kempt Room

As Alina stepped into Gaona’s apartment, she paused, her gaze sweeping across the room. The once-cluttered and chaotic space was now remarkably tidy, with clean floors, dusted surfaces, and even a faint, inviting aroma lingering from the breakfast Aria had made earlier.

"This is… nice," Alina said softly, her tone tinged with surprise. "You’ve really turned things around."

Gaona scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little self-conscious. "It wasn’t all me," he admitted. "Aria helped. She kind of… showed up this morning with groceries and decided I needed a life overhaul."

Alina raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at her lips. "‘She must really care,’ Alina said, her voice soft, tinged with a mix of curiosity and something unspoken. ‘Not everyone would go to that kind of trouble.’"

Gaona laughed awkwardly. "I guess. She’s pretty… persistent."

Alina’s expression shifted slightly, her eyes lingering on him. "Has she helped you get your whole life in order?"

Gaona grinned half-heartedly. "Not exactly. There’s still a lot of work to do."

Alina chuckled and walked over to the small table in the corner of the room. "Well, this is a good start. Mind if I sit?"

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

"Of course," Gaona said, gesturing toward the chair. "I don’t have much to offer, but…"

As he turned toward the kitchen, his eyes landed on a small teapot and a box of tea bags sitting on the counter. They hadn’t been there before—Aria must have left them as a surprise.

Smiling to himself, he filled the pot with water and set it to boil before joining Alina at the table.

Tea and Reminiscence

The two sat together, sipping tea as the morning sunlight streamed through the window. The atmosphere was warm and nostalgic, and it wasn’t long before their conversation turned to memories of their shared past.

"Do you remember that old park near the residential complex?" Alina asked, her eyes sparkling. "The one with the broken swings and the rusted slide?"

Gaona smiled. "How could I forget? We spent half our childhood there, pretending it was some grand adventure. You always made me be the villain, though."

"You were too good at it," Alina teased, laughing softly. "And you never complained. Not once."

Gaona shrugged. "I didn’t mind. You always made it fun."

Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence, but the mood shifted slightly when Alina spoke again. "Ren used to come with us sometimes."

Gaona hesitated, unsure of where the conversation was going. "Yeah. He always tried to take over, though."

Alina nodded, her expression growing more serious. "He was… complicated, even back then. But you and I always had something special. And I’ve always wanted to apologize for what happened later—for him and me being betrothed."

Gaona blinked, caught off guard. "Why would you feel the need to apologize for that? It wasn’t your fault."

Alina looked down at her tea, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup. "Because I knew how you felt about me back then. And I never got the chance to tell you how much I appreciated you—how much you meant to me."

Jealousy and Vulnerability

For a moment, the air between them felt heavy, charged with unspoken emotions. Alina

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

took a deep breath and looked up at him, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush.

"You know," she said, her voice quieter now, "I was a little jealous when I walked in here. Your life seems so… together. You have this beautiful girl in your life who obviously cares about you."

Gaona opened his mouth to explain, to tell her the truth about Aria, but before he could, Alina’s composure broke.

Her shoulders trembled, and tears filled her eyes as she set her cup down with shaking hands. "I’m sorry," she whispered. "I didn’t mean to…"

"Alina?" Gaona said softly, his heart aching as he watched her struggle.

She wiped at her eyes, but the tears kept coming. "Ren’s gone," she said finally, her voice breaking. "He left without warning. He’s been… involved in things—government things—and he won’t tell me anything about it. He’s so secretive, and now he’s just… gone."

Gaona reached out, placing his hand gently over hers. "I’m sorry, Alina. That must be really hard."

Alina nodded, her tears spilling over. "I was so lonely. I just… I needed to see someone who could remind me of better times. Someone who’s always been good to me."

She looked up at him then, her eyes glistening with tears. "You’ve always been so good to me, Gaona. You’ve always had my heart, even when I didn’t know how to say it."

A Moment of Connection

Gaona’s chest tightened as Alina’s words sank in. She grasped his hand a little tighter, her blush deepening as she held his gaze.

The room felt impossibly still, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Time seemed to stretch, each second heavy with possibilities neither of them dared to voice.

Finally, Alina took a deep breath and let go of his hand, breaking the moment. "I’m sorry," she said again, her voice steadier now. "I didn’t mean to dump all of that on you."

"It’s okay," Gaona said quickly. "I’m glad you came to me. Really."

Alina smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you. For listening. For… everything."

She stood, smoothing out her skirt. "I should go. But… can I see you again? Ren’s gone, and the house feels so empty. Even the Archons we have don’t help with the loneliness."

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Gaona nodded, his heart still pounding. "Of course. Anytime."

Alina’s smile brightened slightly. "Thank you. That means a lot."

A Silent Witness

As Alina stepped out into the hallway, she turned to glance back at Gaona one last time. "Take care, Gaona. And… thank you again."

"I will," he said softly, watching as she walked away.

Unbeknownst to Gaona, Aria stood just outside her own apartment, leaning casually against the doorframe. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched Alina leave.

As Alina turned to go, her gaze briefly met Aria’s. For a moment, the two women stared at each other, something unspoken passing between them.

Aria’s smile widened, bright and confident as she pushed open her door. Without a word, she stepped inside, leaving Alina standing in the hallway, her expression unreadable.

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