we have to stop
644 Words
A home is supposed to feel safe.
Like a hive protecting its own.
But when someone you love is unwell—
That safety turns into constant fear.
Alisa felt it every day.
The doctor had strictly advised complete rest for Caitlin.
No stress.
No emotional shock.
Nothing that could trigger her condition again.
---
And yet—
Raffelo came every single day.
That alone irritated Alisa.
Because no matter what he said—
Somewhere, he was still responsible.
---
DOORBELL
Once.
Twice.
Five times.
Alisa was in the kitchen, busy cooking.
She shouted—
ALISA
“Wait! I’m coming!”
She opened the door.
Raffelo froze.
For a second, he just looked at her.
She was wearing a simple black lace nightdress, her long hair loose, slightly messy from the day.
Effortless.
Unaware.
And unexpectedly striking.
ALISA (annoyed)
“Don’t stare like that.”
RAFFELO (composing himself)
“I wasn’t… you just look different.”
She rolled her eyes.
ALISA
“Come in. Caitlin is sleeping.”
---
He walked in and sat quietly.
But suddenly—
ALISA (from kitchen)
“Help! Help!”
He rushed in.
And stopped.
Alisa was standing on a chair.
A tiny rat running across the floor.
Raffelo walked casually toward it, grabbed it, and tossed it out the window.
Silence.
Then—
ALISA (defensive)
“I didn’t need your help.”
RAFFELO (smirking)
“Oh? Then why were you screaming?”
She glared at him.
He leaned closer, teasing—
RAFFELO
“What if it had friends?”
Alisa gasped and instinctively grabbed his arm.
ALISA
“Stop it!”
He laughed.
And unexpectedly—
She laughed too.
---
The tension shifted.
Softer now.
Different.
---
LIVING ROOM
They sat on the couch, each holding a glass of wine.
Something had changed.
For the past ten days, she had barely spoken to him.
Now—
They were sitting together.
Talking.
---
ALISA
“You care about her?”
RAFFELO
“Yes.”
She studied him.
ALISA
“She always wanted a family… after everything she lost, she never really healed.”
Raffelo’s expression softened.
RAFFELO
“I won’t leave her.”
A pause.
RAFFELO
“What about you? You never talk about yourself.”
Alisa leaned back.
ALISA
“You want my introduction now?”
RAFFELO (half-smiling)
“I think we’ve reached that point.”
She nodded slightly.
ALISA
“I work in finance… corporate job. My father is ex-army. My mother… she’s everything to me.”
Raffelo watched her closely.
RAFFELO
“You have very expressive eyes.”
She didn’t respond.
But she didn’t look away either.
---
A small moment.
A small mistake.
Her hand rested lightly on his leg.
Neither of them moved.
The air changed.
He looked at her.
She looked back.
Too long.
Too quiet.
Too close.
---
She stood up, trying to break the moment—
But he misunderstood.
Or maybe—
He didn’t want to understand.
He stood too.
Stepped closer.
And before either of them could think—
Their lips met.
A sudden, intense kiss.
Unplanned.
Uncontrolled.
She froze—
Then responded.
For a moment—
They forgot everything.
---
ALISA (breathing unevenly)
“This is wrong… we should stop.”
RAFFELO (low voice)
“Yes… we should.”
But neither of them stepped back.
The tension pulled them in again.
Closer.
Dangerously close.
His hand brushed her arm.
She held onto him.
The moment deepened—
Not rushed.
But heavy.
Conflicted.
---
And then—
CAITLIN (O.S.)
“Alisa… where are you?”
Reality crashed in.
Alisa pulled away instantly.
Her heart racing.
She stepped back.
Without a word—
She walked toward Caitlin’s room.
---
Raffelo stood there.
Still.
Silent.
A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
And without looking back—
He left the house.
---
Because some lines—
Once crossed—
Can never be undone.
- Writer
