"Aurora, you lucky," Luna says, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Don't bring that up," Aurora mutters, already fed up.
"Who was that blonde yesterday?"
"He's my childhood friend," Aurora says softly, the memory of him flickering behind her eyes.
"Hmm… childhood friends and secrets?" Luna teases, curious.
Aurora just chuckles and shakes her head.
They spend the whole day working in CozyCup, hands busy, minds half-lost, muffling conversations, and Luna's occasional teasing glances. But Aurora's mind wanders. The Truth's message. Dio's silence. Her old friend's sudden reappearance. The lines between past, present, and danger blurred more with each passing hour
On her way to the apartment, her phone lights up with a message.
Dio: Can we meet? Now?
She pauses, confused. Her fingers hover for a second before she types back:
Reply: Okay…
As she walks up the steps to her apartment, her landlord intercepts her.
"Three months' rent," he reminds, tapping his notebook.
"I have some of it now. I'll pay the rest — with interest, I swear."
"With interest. Interesting," he chuckles and takes the cash without another word.
Inside, Aurora sets her purse aside and gulps a glass of water. Just as she's about to start cooking, the doorbell rings.
She walks over and opens the door.
"Welcome me, bella ragazza," Dio says, his voice coated with performative sweetness.
"You're early."
"That's what guests hear now when they visit you?"
Aurora snorts softly, then lets him in. Dio sets a pizza box on the table.
"I was about to cook something."
"But I already did."
"You baked the pizza?" she asks, surprised.
"Why not? When I can cook human pancreas, it's just a pizza," Dio chuckles — dark, low, and amused by his own joke.
Aurora forces a laugh, trying not to let her nerves show.
While they eat, Dio breaks the silence.
"You know… I didn't mean to terrify you on our date."
His voice holds no guilt, only a vague curiosity about her reaction.
"What happened yesterday? Is everything fine?" she asks, concern seeping into her words.
"Yeah, everything is fi—" he begins, but his phone buzzes mid-sentence.
He glances at the screen, and a wicked smirk curves on his lips.
"Splendid," Dio mutters, a glint of something dangerous in his eyes.
Message: Boss, we found him. It's Detective Raymond from Boston.