Morning.
Sunlight slipped through the windows in golden strands, warming the floorboards and gently waking Tomas. Laura was still asleep in the other room, bundled tightly in her blanket, only a small tuft of hair peeking out like a soft feather.
Tomas opened his eyes, lying still for a moment as memories of the previous night washed over him—movies, laughter, her head on his shoulder, the walk through the park, the things they'd confessed. For the first time in his life, warmth lingered in his chest, unfamiliar and unsettling. He had no idea what to do with it.
Suddenly he sat up.
Today's still free. I should go to the city.
In the other room, Laura stirred awake. Work awaited her, but her mind immediately drifted elsewhere—toward Tomas. Their movie night. Their hugs. His smile.
Her heart thundered.
I think I'm starting to fall in lo—
The thought cut off. Her face ignited. She dove back under the blanket and kicked her legs like an excited child.
"Time to get up!" she scolded herself aloud before leaping out of bed.
She dressed quickly and hurried to the kitchen. It was empty. On the table lay a note:
Went to the city to take care of a few things 😊 Have a good day.
She felt a small pang of disappointment not to see him in the morning—but the smiley at the end lifted her lips into a gentle grin.
My phone is broken… I haven't really had anyone to text before. But now there's Tomas… Maybe I should get a new one. Later. On my day off.
She ate, got ready, and rushed out to work.
---
A few hours later, Tomas returned by bus from the city center. Walking home, he passed Obsidian Bar.
Maybe I should go in for a drink. To think about the list. And definitely not because of Lau— Laura.
He exhaled sharply. His heart beat faster anyway.
Inside, the bar was half-empty. The bartender spotted him instantly.
"Hey! Look who's back! And you don't look as miserable as last time!"
Tomas offered a polite, cool nod. "Hello. Not sure anything's changed. Table for one, please. Something to drink—not too strong, not too weak."
"Corner table, one chair? Same as always?"
"Yes. Thank you."
But before Tomas could sit, Laura appeared from behind the bar—hair tied up, eyes wide, glowing with surprise.
"TOMAS!!" she squeaked, waving both hands.
Tomas flushed faintly and lowered his gaze in shy acknowledgment.
The bartender watched, smirked, and leaned toward Laura.
"So you two know each other, hm?"
Laura turned red to the tips of her ears. "Y-yes! We do!"
She all but ran to Tomas.
"Hi! I didn't expect to see you here!" she said, breathless. "Want me to bring you something?"
"I wanted a drink," Tomas said calmly. "Maybe you could recommend something."
She eyed him playfully. "Oh? And here I hoped you came because you wanted to see me."
He looked directly into her eyes. No hesitation.
"I did. I wanted to see you."
Laura froze, mouth slightly open. Then blinked rapidly.
"I—I can bring you my favorite drink!"
"Please do. And… what time do you finish?"
"In about three hours."
"I'll wait. We'll go home together."
Her heart nearly burst. "Okay!!! I'll be right back!"
She sprinted away.
The bartender gave her a wolfish grin when she reached the counter.
"Feeling warm?"
"Shut up," she hissed—but her smile was unstoppable.
A minute later, she returned with a chilled glass.
"Gin with tonic and lemon. Simple, fresh, really good."
Tomas accepted the drink with a gentle smile. "Thank you. Don't worry about me. I'll wait until you finish."
"Okay! Call me if you need anything!" She winked and dashed off.
---
Tomas sat alone, stirring the drink slowly. His thoughts grew heavy.
I made the list right at this table. Back then, nothing mattered.
He slid his notebook out of his jacket. The moment he opened it, his expression darkened—emptiness replacing warmth.
Across the bar, Laura caught sight of his face—and her chest tightened.
Why does he look like that? What is he thinking?
Tomas crossed out points one and three.
Number two—good restaurant. Number four—a beautiful place. Why do I immediately think of Laura? Maybe… maybe I should do these with her.
He stared at the notebook, conflicted.
Then a blonde woman approached with a flirtatious smile.
"Your drink's almost gone. Want to have another with me?"
The towel cracked in Laura's hands from how hard she squeezed it.
She rushed over and "accidentally" bumped into the blonde.
"Did you like your drink? Want another? I'll bring it right away!" she said loudly.
Tomas closed the notebook, hiding his smirk at her jealousy.
"Thank you for the offer," he said politely to the blonde. "But I'll pass."
He turned to Laura.
"Yes, I'd like another. Yours."
Laura flashed the blonde a triumphant smile before hurrying away. The blonde left, annoyed.
When she returned with the second drink, Laura leaned in, eyes narrowed.
"Why did you turn her down?"
"Because I'm not interested in her," Tomas said simply, meeting her gaze.
Her fingers slipped. She nearly dropped the glass.
"I—I should get back to work. One more hour!" she blurted, fleeing.
Her thoughts raced: The way he looked at me… my heart nearly stopped.
Tomas reopened his notebook, hesitated, then wrote a new number: 9.
Next to it: kiss Laura.
He closed the notebook immediately, cheeks warming.
Why did I write that…
The bartender approached with a grin.
"Another drink, buddy?"
"No, thank you."
"I heard you know Laura," the bartender added.
"Yes. A little," Tomas said. "She told me you've helped her a lot. That you're a good man."
Tomas stood and bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you for taking care of her."
The bartender laughed. "No problem! She's kind-hearted, works hard. And she cares about you—any fool can see that. Make sure you take care of her too."
"Yes, sir."
The bartender cleared the glasses, whistling.
Laura darted toward him.
"What were you talking about?!"
"Guy stuff," he said, chuckling. "He's a good kid."
Laura smiled softly. "He has a good heart."
The bartender glanced around the quiet bar.
"Not many people left. You can finish early."
She lit up. "Thank you!"
She ran to Tomas.
"I'm done! I'll go change!"
"All right. I'll pay and wait outside."
But the bartender waved Tomas off.
"Drinks are on the house today. Come back soon!"
"Thank you. See you."
---
Outside, the air was cool.
Parked across from the bar was a black car with tinted windows, engine humming.
Tomas's blood chilled.
They're watching. Laura will come out any second. I need to do something.
He discreetly raised his phone—flash.
He captured the license plate.
The car sped off immediately.
A moment later, Laura burst out of the bar.
"Not tired of waiting?"
"No," he smiled. "Shall we go home? Or maybe…"
Her stomach growled loudly.
"Spicy ramen?" he suggested. "There's a 24/7 shop nearby."
"YES! I REALLY WANT SOME!"
Minutes later, they were standing at a tall counter in the shop, inhaling steaming cups of ramen.
"Divine," Laura declared between greedy bites. "Best food at night."
"I agree."
After they finished, they walked home shoulder to shoulder. Halfway there, Tomas stopped.
He pulled out a new phone—still sealed in the box.
"This is for you," he said. "I remembered yours is broken. My number's already saved. If anything happens—if you feel someone is following you, if you're scared—call me. I will—"
But Laura was already hugging him, arms wrapped around his neck.
"Sometimes I think I'm dreaming when I'm with you," she whispered. "I wanted to buy a phone too… because when you're not near me, I… I want to know how you are."
Tomas held her gently, stroking her back.
"Now you can."
They stood in the middle of the empty street, holding each other as if time had stopped just for them.
---
At home, they retreated to their rooms.
A moment later Tomas's phone lit up.
Good night ❤️
His heart nearly burst through his chest.
He replied:
Good night.
Laura pressed the phone to her chest, her smile soft, her heart racing as she drifted into sleep.