The Silence Between Us

The soft clatter of utensils filled the kitchen.

Luna stood near the counter, quietly preparing breakfast. Her movements were steady… but her mind wasn’t.

It was still stuck on last night.

She paused for a second, gripping the edge of the counter.

Why does it feel so real…?

She shook her head, forcing herself back to the present.

Footsteps echoed from upstairs.

Alex walked down, stretching his arms, his hair still messy from sleep.

“Good morning…” he yawned, dropping onto the chair at the dining table.

Luna glanced at him briefly.

“You’re finally awake.”

“Barely,” he smirked. “Is breakfast ready? I’m starving.”

“Almost. Just wait two minutes.”

She placed the plates on the table and sat down across from him.

For a moment…

Everything felt normal.

Too normal.

Alex took a bite and frowned slightly.

“Hmm… this tastes different. Did you change something?”

Luna froze for a split second.

Before she could answer—

A faint sound came from the hallway.

Footsteps.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Her grip tightened around the spoon.

Rik.

He walked in without a word.

His presence alone shifted the air in the room.

He pulled a chair and sat down casually, but his eyes—

They went straight to Luna.

Cold. Intense. Unreadable.

Luna immediately looked away.

Alex glanced between them, confused.

“…Did I miss something?”

“No,” Luna said quickly.

“Yes,” Rik replied at the same time.

Silence.

A few minutes later, Alex’s phone buzzed.

He checked it, then stood up.

“I have to go… some work. You guys eat.”

Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed his keys and left.

The door shut.

And suddenly—

Everything felt heavier.

Luna kept her eyes on her plate, pretending to eat.

But she could feel it.

Rik’s gaze.

Watching her.

“Why are you avoiding me?” his voice came, low and calm.

“I’m not,” she replied instantly.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“Doesn’t look like it.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“Because last night…” his voice dropped, “you weren’t avoiding me then.”

Her breath hitched.

“Stay away from me,” she whispered.

Instead of stepping back—

He leaned closer.

“Or what?” he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers, “You’ll forget again… like you did last night?”

Luna’s heart started racing.

Something wasn’t right.

And deep down—

She knew this was only the Beginning luna’s heart started racing.

Something wasn’t right.

She tried to stand up—

But before she could move, Rik’s hand reached out and lightly grabbed her wrist.

Not tight.

But enough to stop her.

Her breath hitched.

“Let go…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He didn’t.

Instead, his grip tightened just a little.

“Why are you pretending?” he said quietly, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Luna replied, trying to pull her hand back.

A soft, almost dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

“Then let me remind you.”

Her body stiffened.

For a second—

She couldn’t breathe.

His thumb brushed lightly against her wrist, slow… deliberate.

And suddenly—

A flash.

A blurred memory.

Darkness.

A voice.

His voice.

Luna gasped softly and jerked her hand free.

She stepped back immediately.

“Don’t—” she stopped herself, shaking her head. “Just… stay away from me.”

Rik leaned back in his chair, watching her reaction carefully.

As if he already knew.

As if he was waiting for this.

“Too late for that,” he murmured.

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