Two Worlds Between us

Lua was still staring at him, the words caught in her throat. It was as if time had stopped in that instant — just the two of them, the hurt, and the possibility of a new beginning hanging in the air.

Barron noticed the glances from a few nearby colleagues and then murmured:

— Come... let's go somewhere quieter.

She hesitated for a second but ended up getting up. The two walked in silence to that old, small bookstore, a cozy and quiet place they used to visit together at the beginning of their relationship. Inside, the smell of coffee and old pages brought back nearly forgotten memories.

Barron led her to a secluded corner, between tall shelves. They sat in opposite armchairs. He ran his hand through his hair, visibly nervous, then sighed, looking at her sincerely.

— I said horrible things to you, Lua... — he said, his voice low and pained. — Things you didn’t deserve to hear. And the worst part... I said them believing they were true.

She remained silent, but her eyes shimmered with held-back tears.

— I wish I could go back in time... — he continued. — I regret every harsh word, every time I made you feel alone. You tried to show me the truth, and I chose to turn my back.

Lua lowered her eyes, wiping away a silent tear.

— You hurt me a lot, Barron... — she said, her voice choked. — But I also knew you were confused and hurt.

She lifted her eyes to him, with a soft expression, still marked by pain, but also by understanding.

— I just wanted you to have listened to me. To have believed in me...

Barron nodded, feeling the weight of every word.

— I know. And I blame myself every day for not doing that.

Barron moved closer slowly, as if each step was asking for permission.

— Come here... — he said, his voice low, warm. — I miss you.

Lua barely had time to react. Her heart beating fast, her eyes still teary — and then his lips found hers in a slow, deep kiss, filled with everything that had been left unsaid.

Pain, longing, and love.

When they pulled apart, they rested their foreheads together for a moment, breathing the same air.

— I like this place... — he murmured, with a small smile. — It’s private. There’s just an old man at the counter who doesn’t care about anything. If it were somewhere else, they’d say we’re perverts.

Lua let out a soft giggle, unable to resist.

Barron raised an eyebrow, teasing gently:

— Did I see a smile?

She tried to hide it, but her eyes gave her away.

— Maybe...

— I missed that too. Your smile, your presence... Everything!

Lua took a deep breath and, for the first time in a long time, felt her heart a little lighter.