Chapter 19: Fortune's Smile

Two Women, One Man

As Gaona wiped down the diner counters at the end of his shift, he couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of events that had unfolded over the past few days. Two women. One artificial. But a woman in looks, behavior, and presence just the same.

How had his life changed so quickly? How had he gone from being invisible, barely scraping by, to being surrounded by two of the most beautiful women he had ever encountered? Fortune smiled on him, he thought—though the weight of it made him feel uneasy. He wasn’t used to being this lucky.

As he stepped outside, locking up for the night, he noticed something unsettling. Both Aria and Lyris, who had been in the diner earlier, were gone.

A knot of worry began to form in his chest. Maybe he wasn’t as lucky as he thought. What if something had happened? Negative thoughts started flashing through his mind, scenarios of danger, abandonment, or worse.

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Accosted by Fortune

Before his worry could spiral further, a sudden weight on his back made him stumble forward.

“Gotcha!” Aria’s cheerful voice rang out as she clung to him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck in an embrace. She laughed, a bright, melodic sound that instantly lifted the heavy cloud of his thoughts.

Gaona turned his head slightly, his face flushing as he stammered, “Aria! What are you doing?”

“I saw you worrying your head off and thought I’d cheer you up,” she said playfully, tightening her hold on him for a moment before letting go and slipping to his side. She grabbed onto his arm, leaning into him with a teasing grin.

Before Gaona could respond, Lyris appeared beside him, her movements deliberate and elegant as always. Without a word, she grabbed his other arm, though her gesture was far more

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

mechanical and awkward. Her strength was unmistakable, and Gaona felt a slight tension as if she were adjusting her grip to ensure she didn’t accidentally hurt him.

For a brief moment, Gaona felt caught between worlds—one arm held by the vibrant, lively Aria, and the other by the composed, regal Lyris.

He glanced at Aria, who smirked and leaned closer, pulling his arm toward her chest. The gesture was playful, but it sent a wave of heat rushing to Gaona’s face.

“Fortune,” he muttered under his breath, “is definitely smiling on me.”

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A Gentlemanly Gesture

Lyris, noticing the imbalance of proximity, tilted her head in that familiar way, her glowing blue eyes studying the interaction. Gaona cleared his throat, attempting to regain some composure.

“Uh, Lyris,” he said awkwardly, “let’s do this properly.”

He gently shifted her grip and offered her his arm in a gentlemanly fashion. Lyris nodded, though her tall frame made the gesture look slightly awkward. She adjusted herself, her free hand brushing against his as if uncertain.

Eventually, Gaona took her hand instead, her long fingers resting lightly in his. Despite her strength, her grip was gentle, almost delicate.

The three of them walked together through the busy streets, their silence filled with an unspoken understanding. The evening air was cool, and the city lights painted the sidewalks in shades of gold and white. Gaona blushed the entire way, feeling self-conscious about the attention they were attracting.

It didn’t seem to bother either of them that he still smelled faintly of grease and the kitchen. They simply walked, capturing the moment and letting the calm of the night envelop them.

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Aria’s Words

When they finally reached the apartment complex, they stopped in front of Aria’s door. She turned to face Gaona, her expression softer now, her teasing demeanor replaced by something more sincere.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

“Gaona,” she began, her green eyes locking onto his. “I just wanted to say… I understand your predicament.”

“My predicament?” he asked, confused.

Aria smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “You’ve got a lot on your plate. And I want you to know… you should never fear making me jealous or hurting my feelings. I get it.”

Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Her warmth lingered as she pulled back, her smile genuine and bright. “Goodnight, Gaona. Goodnight, Lyris.”

She disappeared into her apartment, leaving Gaona standing there, stunned and blushing.

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The Walk Home

Lyris remained silent as she and Gaona walked to his apartment, her presence calm and steady. Gaona’s thoughts raced, replaying Aria’s words and the feeling of her kiss.

When they stepped inside, he let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. “What a day,” he muttered.

Lyris stood by the door, waiting for instructions. Gaona glanced at her, feeling a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. “Alright, I’m going to take a shower,” he said, heading toward the bathroom.

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An Unexpected Situation

As the water ran over Gaona’s skin, he let his thoughts drift, reflecting on the evening. He couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of his life—how two incredible women had somehow become part of his world.

“Lyris, you should shower too,” he called out through the door. “When I’m done, of course.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the bathroom door opened. Gaona turned sharply, his heart leaping into his throat as he saw Lyris step into the room, completely unclothed.

“Lyris!” he yelled, scrambling to cover himself.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

“You instructed me to shower,” she said matter-of-factly, tilting her head.

“Yes, but not—together!” Gaona stammered, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her before she could step into the shower.

She blinked, her glowing eyes watching him curiously. “Understood. Separate showering.”

Gaona let out a shaky breath, his face bright red. “Just… wait until I’m done, okay? Please.”

She nodded, her expression calm. “Acknowledged.”

As she stepped back out of the bathroom, Gaona leaned against the wall, his heart racing.

“Fortune,” he muttered to himself, “is definitely trying to kill me.”

—

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