CHAPTER NINE; The things we leave behind
1010 Words
Diego had learned a long time ago that people were rarely what they appeared to be.
The wealthy pretended they cared.
The powerful pretended they listened.
And those who claimed they wanted to help usually wanted something in return.
That was why he kept his distance.
It was easier.
The workshop was quiet that evening, the only sound being the steady rhythm of metal against metal.
Diego tightened the final bolt on an old motorcycle before wiping his hands on a cloth.
"You're still working?"
He glanced toward the doorway.
His friend, Marco, leaned against the frame with crossed arms.
"You're going to break your back one day."
Diego shrugged.
"At least I'll know I earned it."
Marco rolled his eyes.
"You always talk like you're fifty."
"I'm busy."
"No. You're avoiding people."
Diego didn't answer.
Because Marco wasn't wrong.
People were complicated.
They asked questions.
They expected things.
They disappointed you.
A person could smile at you today and betray you tomorrow.
He had learned that lesson well.
Especially when it came to powerful families.
Especially one family.
The Calipps.
Just hearing the name was enough to make his jaw tighten.
Marco noticed.
"You heard about the Whitmores?"
Diego continued cleaning his tools.
"What about them?"
"They're leaving."
His hand stopped.
"For real?"
Marco nodded.
"Signed the papers yesterday."
Diego looked away.
Of course they did.
Everyone eventually gave in.
The Calipps family always got what they wanted.
Land.
Businesses.
Influence.
People's lives.
Everything became another thing they could own.
"They say the family is untouchable."
Diego gave a humorless laugh.
"People say a lot of things."
Marco studied him.
"You really hate them, don't you?"
Diego didn't respond.
Because hate wasn't the right word.
Hate was simple.
This was heavier.
It was anger.
It was disappointment.
It was remembering things he wished he could forget.
"Just leave it."
Marco sighed.
"One day, you're going to have to let the past go."
Diego looked down at his hands.
Maybe.
But not today.
Later that night, Luna returned to the town.
She told herself she wasn't looking for anyone.
She was simply walking.
That was all.
Yet somehow, her feet carried her toward the same streets.
The same workshop.
The same place where she'd met the stranger with the sharp tongue.
She stopped when she realized what she was doing.
"What am I doing?"
She almost turned around.
Almost.
Then a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Lost again?"
Luna froze.
Slowly, she turned.
He stood there.
The same dark hair.
The same unreadable expression.
The same grease-stained hands.
"I wasn't lost."
Diego raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Really."
"You found this place by accident?"
She hesitated.
"...Maybe."
For the first time, she saw the smallest hint of amusement in his eyes.
Almost a smile.
Almost.
"You're strange."
She folded her arms.
"You say that like it's an insult."
"I'm still deciding."
Luna laughed softly.
And Diego immediately looked away.
He didn't understand why her laugh bothered him.
Not because it was annoying.
Because it wasn't.
It was genuine.
And he didn't trust genuine things.
"Do you always wander around town alone?"
"Do you always ask strangers questions?"
"Only strange ones."
"Then you must ask a lot."
He looked at her.
"Not really."
The answer surprised her.
For some reason, she felt like there was more behind those words.
Something he wasn't saying.
They walked slowly through the quieter streets.
Not together exactly.
Just...
Near each other.
"You know," Luna said, "I've never seen you smile properly."
"Maybe you haven't earned it."
She stared at him.
"That was rude."
"It's true."
"And how does someone earn a smile?"
Diego thought for a moment.
"I don't know."
"Then how do you know I haven't?"
He looked at her.
And for a second...
He had no answer.
That annoyed him.
They stopped near the town square.
A newspaper stand stood nearby, displaying the day's headlines.
Luna's eyes moved over the pages.
A familiar name caught her attention.
CALIPPS DEVELOPMENT EXPANDS INTO EASTERN DISTRICT
She noticed Diego's expression change.
Only slightly.
But enough.
"You really don't like them."
His eyes moved to hers.
"Who?"
"The Calipps."
The silence between them grew heavier.
"Why?"
Diego looked away.
"Because some families build their success by stepping on everyone else."
Luna swallowed.
She wanted to defend her family.
She wanted to say he was wrong.
But she couldn't.
Not completely.
Before she could respond, Diego looked back at her.
"You ask a lot of questions."
"So do you."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Because I'm trying to figure you out."
The words surprised her.
"What does that mean?"
He studied her carefully.
The way she spoke.
The way she carried herself.
The way she looked at the world like she was seeing everything for the first time.
Then he asked quietly:
"Who are you?"
Luna's heart stopped for a moment.
Not because he knew.
He didn't.
But because no one ever asked that question.
Everyone asked:
Who is your father?
What is your family name?
What do you represent?
No one asked about her.
She opened her mouth.
But before she could answer...
The distant sound of a bell echoed through the town.
Luna looked up.
Panic crossed her face.
She was late.
Again.
"I have to go."
Diego frowned.
"That was not an answer."
"I know."
She smiled faintly.
"Maybe another time."
Diego watched her disappear into the crowd.
For a moment, he considered following.
Not because he was worried.
At least, that's what he told himself.
He was simply trying to understand her.
The strange girl who appeared out of nowhere.
The girl who helped people without expecting anything.
The girl who smiled too easily in a world that gave people very little reason to.
He shook his head.
"Ridiculous."
He turned back toward the workshop.
He didn't know her.
He didn't know where she came from.
He didn't know why she always appeared after sunset.
He didn't even know her name.
And yet...
For some reason, he found himself wondering when he would see her again.
- Writer
