Legal Disclaimer
This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Content Warning
This chapter contains a scene of physical violence and unwanted physical contact. Reader discretion is advised.
Chapter 43 – Silent Tension
43.1 Police station
The police station building stood under the late afternoon's yellow light, small and discreet among narrow streets.
Ryu and Zayra arrived at the location.
Upon entering, they found a stunning blonde woman sitting in the waiting room.
Her eyes lit up when she saw them.
"Doctor!"
Exclaimed Ágata, quickly standing up.
"It's great that you came! You don't know… I'm desperate."
Ryu barely tilted his head, his eyes scanning Ágata's every gesture.
A slight, almost imperceptible frown betrayed his concern.
His jaw tightened for an instant.
He had to remain calm, even though his instinct screamed that everything could become complicated.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zayra made a subtle gesture and whispered in his ear.
"Ryu, I'm not going into the cell, I'll just stay where you can see me."
Ryu nodded, though his jaw tightened for an instant.
He didn't like the idea of leaving her alone.
She walked down the hallway, stopped in front of the barred door, and saw Sebastian.
He was sitting on a plastic chair, head down, defeated.
He looked up and saw Zayra.
Immediately, his face lit up, and he approached the window.
He reached out his hand, touching hers.
Ryu narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation.
A slight clenching of his fists betrayed the calm his face showed.
His breathing was slow and controlled, calculating Sebastian's every movement before deciding to intervene.
***
Zayra moved her hand.
Sebastian looked at her with hopeful eyes and said.
"This is unfair!"
Sebastian started, his voice heavy with frustration.
"How can they put me in jail for something so…?
I only said I was going to complain to his boss…"
Minutes later, Sebastian was released.
Ágata ran toward him and hugged him, tears of relief in her eyes.
He whispered something in her ear, and she left without saying a word.
***
Zayra took Ryu's hand, and with a decisive gesture said.
"Well, Sebastian, I've helped you.
I got you out of here.
Have a good day."
Ryu looked at her, his eyes softening slightly, with a mixture of respect and silent admiration.
His fingers closed slightly over hers, noticing the firmness of her gesture.
His breathing calmed a little, as if the weight of the tension was decreasing.
The following words ran through his mind.
"That's how… I like to see her.
Firm, without losing her strength.
She always knows how to set boundaries."
They both headed for the exit door.
***
Sebastian felt powerless before that scene.
He clenched his fists. And he couldn't help but think.
"Zay, so you came with your little friend… too bad he doesn't know you're mine."
Without thinking, he ran after them.
Zayra, who was already turning around, looked at him with disdain and said wearily.
"What do you want now, Sebastian?"
He took a deep breath, lowered his voice a little, and urgently asked
"Zayra, I just want to talk to you for a few minutes.
Please… it's something delicate."
She sighed, and, taking a firm stance, replied.
"I can't. I'm with my boyfriend, and I want to enjoy my time with him."
Ryu blinked slowly, fixing his gaze on her.
The tension in his jaw relaxed slightly as he gently squeezed her hand.
And he reflected.
"I like that… that she's decisive, without hesitating."
He felt a silent relief and, for an instant.
Slightly inclined his head toward her, as a silent thank you for holding her ground and protecting their space.
Sebastian frowned slightly but softened his expression with a touch of victimhood and pleading.
"Please, just a few minutes.
I just need your help with something…"
He approached them and said in a low voice.
"The police officer showed me some documents, and they told me they might open a case against me."
Zayra looked at him with weariness.
Before she could speak, Sebastian interrupted.
"Zayra, I beg you, please.
You know what would happen to my grandmother if she found out."
He sighed, and with pleading eyes told her.
"I only ask that you look at the papers and give me your opinion. I won't take up much of your time."
Zayra was momentarily moved by the mention of the grandmother.
She turned to Ryu, seeking his understanding.
He took a deep breath, visibly uncomfortable, and nodded.
She looked at Sebastian and replied.
"Alright… but only for a few minutes."
Ryu got into the car.
Zayra and Sebastian sat down at a table in the outdoor café, facing the window.
43.2 Between Calm and Provocation.
The afternoon felt very uncomfortable, and not only because of the intense city heat.
Ryu was in the air-conditioned vehicle watching Zayra and Sebastian talking.
This scene caused him a lot of annoyance, but he also knew he had to trust her.
On the table were two sodas, and Sebastian looked at Zayra with his characteristic charisma.
However, she looked distinctly cold.
He showed her the documents.
While she read them, Sebastian thought.
"Wow, she was always this determined… I have to win her back."
Zayra quickly analyzed the documents and indicated what he needed to do.
After a few minutes, they both stood up to leave the café.
***
Sebastian glanced sideways at Ryu and thought.
"No choice, nothing ventured, nothing gained."
And without warning, Sebastian grabbed Zayra's wrist.
Pulled her toward him, and whispered seductively in her ear.
"I can't believe you came for me…
I knew you haven't forgotten me. Please, try again with me."
He hugged her tightly, as if that embrace could turn back time.
***
She couldn't believe his action; she thought for an instant.
"God, I shouldn't have come.
I made a big mistake… Ryu, I'm really sorry."
Her fists remained relaxed, but the firmness of her posture spoke more than any words.
She would not allow the situation to escalate.
Zayra tensed her shoulders, her brow furrowed, and she pushed him away.
"Sebastian, let go of me!"
He, with a charming smile, tilted his head and said.
"But, Zayra… you coming all this way means you care about me."
***
Ryu pressed his lips together and clenched his fists on the steering wheel.
His eyebrows barely furrowed, and a deep breath traveled through his chest.
Containing the impulsiveness that wanted to burst out.
But in his mind he questioned.
"How dare he?"
Zayra's expression was one of annoyance.
"This was a big mistake on my part, I swear it won't happen again."
She replied firmly, pulling away from his embrace.
Ryu's eyes were intense, every fiber of his body alert, controlling his breathing and movements.
He could feel the rising tension, but he knew how to wait.
His way of measuring the situation, of not losing his composure, guided him.
Sebastian didn't give up.
He grabbed her face with one hand, trying to lean in to kiss her.
"Zayra…"
He whispered, with that mix of manipulation and confidence that seemed to envelop her.
"You know I love you…"
At that instant, Zayra reacted quickly.
She gave him a sharp head-butt, followed by a blow to his chest, pushing him away abruptly.
"Sebastian!"
She said in a voice charged with anger.
"I didn't come out of love.
I came because I am a decent person… and now I regret having come.
I swear I will never respond to a call from you again."
He smiled crookedly, a reflection of his manipulative character.
"Zayra…"
He said, with that voice that mixed pity and charm.
"But you know I love you. You don't understand…"
He tried to approach her again, his expression confident and almost provocative.
It was then that Ryu waited no longer and decided to intervene.
Without a sudden movement, he placed himself between them, his posture firm, his gaze penetrating.
Sebastian backed away slightly, evaluating Ryu, and for an instant the atmosphere became heavy.
"Enough."
Ryu said, his voice calm, cold, but authoritative.
"I will not allow this to continue."
Zayra looked at him, surprised, relaxed, and couldn't help but blush and think.
"My God, how sexy my boyfriend is."
Sebastian frowned, wanting to fight, preparing his fists to attack.
However, a police officer appeared behind him, his voice severe.
"Young man, it seems you liked jail, don't tell me you want to go back."
Sebastian swallowed, tensed his shoulders, and backed off.
"No… no problem."
Ryu, without taking his eyes off him, took Zayra's hand with delicacy and firmness.
She did not hesitate, her hand fit into his, and together they began to walk away.
Leaving behind Sebastian's tension and the threat of police authority.
They got into the vehicle, Ryu didn't say anything.
His shoulders remained rigid, and his breathing, slow and controlled, still reflected the tension he had accumulated.
His eyes, fixed on the road and the distance, conveyed a silent alert.
"I won't allow anyone to disrespect her. Not today, not ever."
His gaze remained intense, controlled, and in it there was a clear message.
Protection doesn't always need words, and the boundaries were set.