After the long day at Alex's house Rina finally arrived home the sky was dark and quiet, the streetlights casting soft glows on the driveway. Luis had called her countless times but she hadn't answered, and now she could see his car parked awkwardly at the side of the house.
She stepped out of Alex's car gracefully, the emerald gown still catching the light. Alex walked beside her, smiling softly Don't worry I'll make sure she gets in safely, he said as he opened the door for her.
Rina nodded quietly and stepped inside, feeling the tension in the air immediately. Luis was pacing near the living room, his phone in his hand and a look of worry plastered across his face. As soon as he saw her he rushed forward Rina where have you been I've called you a hundred times she didn't move quickly to comfort him she just stood there calmly, her gaze steady.
I was at Alex's, she said softly, almost like stating a fact not waiting for his reaction.
Luis froze for a moment, trying to process it, his eyebrows furrowing. Alex? he asked incredulously and she nodded, not flinching. He opened his mouth, then shut it, his confusion clear.
And the calmness in her voice, the way she wasn't apologetic, made him feel uneasy. He wanted to yell, to demand explanations, but the house seemed too still, too quiet for that now.
Luis tried again, softer this time Where's dinner? you were supposed to eat with me.
Rina smiled lightly I ate already, she said simply, her tone polite but distant.
His frustration bubbled up Bianca standing behind him whispered angrily, She's spending too much time with him! but Luis shushed her sharply, still staring at Rina.
Rina noticed but didn't respond, only removed her coat and walked to the kitchen to put it away. Luis followed, still watching her every movement, unable to understand how calm she was, how untouchable.
He finally spoke, a hint of desperation in his voice You can't just disappear like that Rina, I was worried.
She paused for a moment, turning to look at him, her black lipstick catching the dim light and her eyes calm but commanding I'm fine Luis, she said. No one else needed to know where I've been.
Luis felt something tighten in his chest, a strange mix of relief and fear. He wanted to argue, to pull her closer, to make her see that he still had control, but he couldn't. This Rina, the one who had walked into his home with quiet authority, wasn't the same woman he had known before.
Bianca pouted behind him, realizing that her influence had no weight here, and even Luis couldn't stop the growing distance.
Rina finished hanging her coat, glanced at Luis one last time with a small, knowing smile, and walked to her room. The soft click of her heels echoed in the quiet house. Luis stood frozen, realizing that tonight, like so many nights before, she had chosen her own path—and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Once inside her room, Rina closed the door softly and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a slow breath. The tension in the house lingered like a heavy fog, but she felt none of it. Luis was downstairs, pacing and muttering to himself, still trying to process the fact that she had spent the day with Alex, eaten with him, and returned home without a single apology or explanation.
Her phone buzzed softly—messages from Alex checking if she had arrived safely. She smiled faintly and typed back I'm home. Thanks for everything. The messages were short, simple, but full of gratitude and calm satisfaction.
Downstairs Luis couldn't contain himself any longer. He walked to the staircase and called her name again, his voice shaking slightly this time Rina, answer me! I need to know where you've been!
Rina appeared at the top of the stairs, the emerald gown now replaced with her black silk nightgown, hair still tied in the ponytail. She looked down at him, calm, untouchable, as if the world had shrunk around her and he wasn't even part of it anymore.
I told you, she said softly, no urgency in her voice. I was at Alex's. I ate dinner there. I'm home now.
Luis's jaw tightened, frustration and worry fighting for dominance in his chest. He wanted to yell, to plead, to demand explanations—but every word he tried to form died when he met her steady gaze. He realized something then: she wasn't the same Rina he used to know.
Bianca, who had followed him upstairs despite his quiet protests, groaned and stamped her foot. You could have at least texted me! she cried, but Luis shushed her again, his attention fixed entirely on Rina.
Rina didn't respond to Bianca. She only looked at Luis, letting the silence speak louder than any words could.
Finally, she turned on her heel and walked into her bedroom, leaving him staring after her. Luis clenched his fists, a mix of fear and anger twisting inside him, and Bianca muttered under her breath, realizing that even he couldn't command her attention the way he once had.
Rina sat on the edge of her bed, closing her eyes and letting the day wash over her. She had eaten, rested, been cared for, and returned home on her own terms. Every step she took now was hers alone, every choice her own. And for the first time, she felt completely untouchable, untethered, and free.
The next morning, Rina woke up early. The sun slipped gently through her curtains as she got dressed for work, choosing a simple white dress that flowed softly around her knees. It made her look fresh and graceful, and she smiled at her reflection before heading out.
At the office, everything was moving fast. Meetings, calls, people greeting her with nervous smiles. She handled it all with quiet confidence, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor. But midway through the morning, she started to feel uneasy—her stomach tightened, and before she could react, she realized what had happened.
Her period had started. And it had stained her white dress.
Her breath hitched. She froze for a second, heart pounding. Everyone around her kept moving, talking, unaware. She reached for her bag, panicking quietly, unsure what to do next. But then, out of nowhere, Alex appeared.
He noticed instantly. Without saying a word, he slipped off his suit jacket and moved closer, draping it smoothly around her waist, covering the stain before anyone could see. His voice was calm and low. "Come with me."
She nodded, her face flushed in embarrassment, but the way he handled it—so calm, so protective—made her feel strangely safe. He led her through the back corridor, avoiding attention, and guided her into his office.
He turned to her with a small reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll call someone to bring you fresh clothes."
Before she could even respond, he had already picked up the phone, giving quiet instructions. Within minutes, a female staff member arrived with a soft beige dress in a luxury bag—something simple yet elegant.
Rina took it and went to the bathroom to change. When she came out, Alex was waiting by the window, his hands in his pockets. He looked at her, smiled gently, and said, "Better now?"
She nodded shyly. "Thank you."
He shrugged lightly. "You don't need to thank me. I've got your back… always."
For a moment, they just stood there, their eyes locked. The air between them was calm but full of something unspoken. Rina felt her heart skip, just once, before she turned away—her cheeks warm, her chest softening in a way she didn't expect.
And from that moment, she realized… Alex was no longer just a friend.