Chapter 18: A Beautiful Distraction

The Rush Home

The sun was setting by the time Gaona and Lyris finally returned to the apartment, laden with boxes and bags from the department store. The trip home had been a spectacle in itself—Lyris carrying most of the weight effortlessly, her tall, statuesque figure drawing stares and murmurs from every passerby. Gaona couldn’t help but feel like a part of some surreal parade, embarrassed by the attention but unable to escape it.

"Finally," Gaona muttered, unlocking the door and stepping inside. Lyris followed him, her movements as graceful as ever despite the mountain of packages she carried. She set them down neatly in the corner of the room, then stood still, awaiting further instructions.

Gaona glanced at the clock and froze. His heart sank as he realized what time it was.

"Work!" he exclaimed, running a hand through his hair in panic. "I completely forgot! My boss is going to kill me."

Lyris tilted her head, her glowing blue eyes fixed on him. "Gaona. Do you require assistance?"

Gaona groaned, grabbing his work uniform from the back of a chair. "I don’t have time to explain," he said hurriedly, pulling the shirt over his head. "You’re coming with me. I can’t leave you here alone again."

Lyris nodded. "Understood. Accompanying companion to destination."

The Awkward Moment

As Gaona looked at Lyris, still wearing the coat he had draped over her earlier, he realized she needed a change of clothes before going to the diner. Her current attire—a mix of her original suit and his oversized coat—was far too conspicuous.

"Uh… you should probably change," Gaona said awkwardly, rummaging through the bags of clothes they had brought back from the department store. He pulled out a simple blouse and skirt and handed them to her.

"Here. Put these on," he said, trying to sound casual.

Lyris took the clothes, tilting her head. "Understood."

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Without hesitation, she began unzipping her suit right there in the middle of the room.

Gaona’s face turned bright red as he realized what was happening. "Wait! Stop! I mean—"

Lyris paused, her hands still on the zipper, and looked at him quizzically. "Is there an issue, Gaona?"

"Yes! I mean—no! I mean—just, uh…" Gaona stammered, backing toward the bathroom. "I’ll… give you some privacy!"

He bolted into the restroom, shutting the door behind him. Leaning against the door, he let out a shaky breath, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Why didn’t I think this through?" he muttered to himself.

A few minutes later, he heard Lyris’s voice from the other side of the door. "Gaona. I have completed the task."

He opened the door cautiously, peeking out to find her fully dressed in the blouse and skirt. She looked as poised and elegant as ever, the simple outfit somehow enhancing her natural grace.

"Good," Gaona said, his face still flushed. "That’s… good. Let’s go."

The Diner Booth

The walk to the diner was brisk, Gaona hurrying as fast as he could without outright running. By the time they arrived, the familiar sounds of clattering dishes and lively chatter greeted him, along with the unmistakable bark of his boss from the kitchen.

"Gaona! You’re late!"

"Yeah, I know," Gaona said quickly, stepping behind the counter to clock in. "I’ll make it up to you. I swear."

His boss gave him a withering look but said nothing more, already too busy yelling at someone else.

Gaona turned to Lyris, gesturing toward a booth by the window. "Just sit here," he said, his voice a mix of panic and exhaustion. "Don’t move. Don’t do anything. Just… stay put."

Lyris tilted her head slightly, then nodded. "Understood."

To his surprise, she didn’t just sit down. She moved gracefully, almost theatrically, as if

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

she were on a date. She stepped lightly into the booth and turned elegantly to face him, allowing him to "seat" her with a slight nod. Gaona blinked, unsure of what to make of it, but he didn’t have time to dwell.

"Okay. I’ll be in the back," he said quickly before rushing off to the kitchen.

A Center of Attention

No sooner had Gaona disappeared than the patrons began to notice Lyris. It was impossible not to—her statuesque beauty and calm demeanor drew attention from everyone in the diner.

A group of children stared at her in awe, one of them whispering loudly, "Mommy, is she a princess?"

An elderly man shuffled over, leaning heavily on his cane. "Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes," he said with a cheeky grin.

Lyris smiled politely, tilting her head. "Your sentiment is appreciated."

Women passing by stopped to compliment her outfit, and Lyris responded with what seemed like genuine gratitude, her voice soft and melodic. She adapted quickly, her responses growing more human with every interaction.

Even a group of teenagers stopped to ask for a photo. Lyris posed gracefully with them, her regal poise making the moment feel almost like a professional photoshoot.

By the time Gaona stepped out of the kitchen to check on her, the entire diner seemed to be abuzz with whispers and stolen glances directed at the booth by the window.

Aria’s Entrance

As Gaona prepared an order, the bell above the diner door chimed, signaling a new customer. He glanced up and froze.

Aria stood in the doorway, her petite frame radiant with confidence as she scanned the room. Her green eyes lit up when they found him, and she made her way to the counter with her usual lively stride.

"Gaona!" she called, her voice bright and cheerful.

He hurried over, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. "Hey, Aria. Uh… I’m kind of stuck in the kitchen today, but what can I get you?"

She tilted her head, her smile playful. "Hmm… surprise me. Make me something

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

special."

"Got it," Gaona said, eager to please.

A Conversation of Models

When Gaona finished preparing Aria’s order, he stepped out to bring it to her personally. But as he approached the booth, he stopped in his tracks.

Aria was no longer sitting alone. She had joined Lyris at her booth, the two of them deep in conversation.

The sight was almost surreal. The two women looked like they belonged on the cover of a magazine—Lyris with her regal, statuesque beauty, and Aria with her petite yet lively charm. The entire diner seemed to notice as well, the hum of conversation quieting as patrons turned to look at the pair.

Gaona hesitated, unsure of what to do. His chest tightened with guilt as he approached the booth.

"Gaona!" Aria said, her expression brightening when she saw him. "I was just getting to know your friend here."

Gaona set the plate down in front of her, his hands trembling slightly. "I… I’m sorry," he said quickly, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I feel so guilty for… for not including you more. For leaving you out."

Aria tilted her head, her green eyes softening. "Gaona, you don’t need to apologize."

"But I do," he said earnestly. "You’ve been so good to me, and I’ve been… I don’t know. I just… I want to make it up to you."

Aria’s smile widened, her expression genuinely happy. "Well, then," she said playfully, "I’ll let you make it up to me. But only if you promise to make me something extra special next time I come by."

"Deal," Gaona said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

A Moment of Peace

As Gaona returned to the kitchen, he glanced back at the booth. Aria and Lyris were still talking, their voices blending softly with the background noise of the diner.

For the first time in a long time, he felt a faint sense of peace, even amidst the chaos.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

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