The hug, though brief on his part, offered a sliver of the familiar comfort Yuli craved. He released her, his movements almost mechanical, and gestured towards the parking lot with a curt nod. His car, a normal Chevrolet, sat amidst the gleaming SUVs and sleek sedans. It was unassuming, just like Damon in so many ways, and yet it had carried them through countless adventures.
The drive to Picuze was shrouded in an unnerving silence. The restaurant, a cozy little haven tucked away in the bustling Wunzai district, was usually filled with their easy banter and shared laughter. Today, the aroma of garlic and oregano hung heavy in the air, mingling with a palpable tension. Yuli ordered their usual – the creamy pesto pasta for her, the spicy pepperoni pizza for him – hoping the familiar ritual would break the spell.
She tried, tentatively at first, to draw him out. "How's work been, honey?" A "hmm." "Did you finish that new coding project you were so excited about?" Another "hmm." Each monosyllabic response tightened the knot of worry in her chest. He ate in silence, his gaze distant, his usual hearty appetite seemingly absent. Yuli picked at her pasta, her own appetite vanishing in the face of his unsettling demeanor.
The drive to their apartment building, a grand twelve-story structure that had been both their most extravagant and most cherished purchase, felt longer than usual. Living on the top floor offered breathtaking views of the city, a testament to their shared dreams and hard work. Stepping inside their haven, after three long months away, should have filled Yuli with a sense of homecoming. Instead, an icy premonition slithered down her spine.
She turned, a soft smile forming on her lips, ready to finally bridge the distance that had grown between them. But the smile froze. Damon stood just inside the doorway, his face now ashen, his eyes wide with a strange, unreadable emotion.
"Are you okay, darling?" Yuli's voice was laced with concern. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
He remained silent, his gaze fixed on something behind her. A prickle of unease turned into a sharp stab of anxiety. Slowly, Yuli turned to follow his line of sight.
And there, emerging from their kitchen, stood a girl.