They arrive at the bar. Kevin is slumped over the counter, his body limp and his face flushed red. He looks completely out of it.
They walk closer.
"Are you the one I talked to on the phone earlier?" the bartender asks, wiping a glass with a rag and eyeing Ben.
"Yeah, that was me," Ben replies, stepping forward.
"He kept calling for someone named Mia. Got a little loud, started disturbing the other customers, so I had to call someone to pick him up."
"Sorry on his behalf," Ben says, glancing at Kevin. Mia lingers quietly behind him, avoiding the bartender's gaze.
Ben leans over and gently shakes Kevin's shoulder. "Mr. Garcia? Please, wake up."
No response.
Ben sighs. "This won't work." He moves to Kevin's side, looping one of Kevin's arms around his neck. "Mia, help me out here."
Mia hurries to his side and does what she can—awkwardly steadying Kevin's other arm, trying to keep balance.
"I've seen this scene before," Ben mutters, his voice strained as he hoists Kevin up.
"It's become a habit—me carrying drunk people on my back," he says with a crooked smile, glancing at Mia.
She offers an anxious smile in return, the corners of her lips twitching.
"Get his car keys," Ben instructs.
Mia hesitates for a second, then cautiously reaches into Kevin's jacket pocket. She fumbles around, then finally pulls out a set of keys.
"Did you find it?" Ben asks, still holding Kevin upright.
"Yes," Mia nods, holding them up.
"Okay, let's go. You know his car, right?"
"Yes. Let's go," she says, taking the lead as they carefully guide Kevin out of the bar.
They're in the parking lot. Mia presses the car key fob, and a short beep beep echoes through the quiet space.
"I found it!" Mia exclaims, spotting Kevin's car as its lights flash.
They hurry toward it. Together, they carefully help Kevin into the back seat—Ben guiding him from outside, Mia already inside the car, trying to adjust his position so he doesn't slump over.
Ben straightens up, letting out a strained breath, one hand supporting his lower back.
"Give me the key. I'll drive," he says, slightly breathless.
Mia quickly hands it to him. Just as she's about to climb out of the back seat to move to the passenger seat, Kevin grabs her wrist—his grip weak but deliberate.
She freezes, turning to face him.
Ben slides into the driver's seat, about to start the engine, when Kevin speaks in a soft, slurred voice.
"It's not that I didn't want to make it official..."
"What?" Mia asks, leaning closer—she could barely hear him.
Ben turns around in his seat, eyes flicking toward them.
Kevin tries again, words thick but clearer this time.
"It's not that I didn't want to make it official. I just felt like... it wasn't the right time for me to be in an official relationship."
Mia stays quiet, her eyes locked on Kevin's flushed face. Her chest tightens.
"It wasn't the right time for me," Kevin continues, "I had just been fired. I went to your province to escape the stress... to breathe again. Then I met you."
Ben's jaw tightens. The pain is visible on his face. Without a word, he opens the driver's door and steps out of the car, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. He stays just outside, hands in his pockets, his back turned.
Mia's eyes follow him.
"Ben..." she whispers, as if trying to call him back, but he doesn't move.
Kevin's voice pulls her attention again.
"I wanted to make it official... once I had a stable job," he says, his eyes half-closed now.
"How could I face you—and your parents—as an unemployed man?"
He pauses, then adds, barely audible:
"It's not because I didn't want to. I did. I already saw my future with you Mia. But then... you suddenly disappeared."
His hand slips from Mia's wrist as he drifts into a deep sleep, his breathing evening out.
Mia stays frozen, staring at him. A storm brews in her chest—guilt, confusion, and a growing anxiety. Not just because of what Kevin said… but because she knows Ben heard everything.
Mia quietly slips out of the car and walks over to where Ben stands, leaning against the side of the vehicle with his arms crossed and gaze distant.
In a soft voice, she says, "Let's go? Let's take him home."
Ben glances at her, then gives a small nod. They both start heading back toward the car when a sudden thought makes him pause mid-step.
He tilts his head, brows slightly raised.
"Wait… do you even know where he lives?"
Mia stops too, eyes blinking slowly like the question hadn't occurred to her either.
"I don't," she admits, her voice quiet.
_________________________________________________
Ding—the elevator doors slide open.
"Apartment 207," Ben says, slightly breathless as he adjusts Kevin's weight on his back.
They've decided to bring Kevin to Ben's place. He offered, not wanting Mia to deal with the situation alone—or worse, bring Kevin to her apartment.
"The pin is 111095," he adds quickly, shifting under Kevin's deadweight.
Mia steps ahead and punches in the code. The door unlocks with a soft click, and she pushes it open.
"Be careful," she says, holding the door wide as Ben maneuvers inside with Kevin slumped over his back.
Ben carries Kevin straight to the bedroom and drops him onto the bed, exhaling with relief. He rolls his shoulders, grimacing.
"This guy… seriously. He's a piece of work," Ben mutters, glaring at Kevin's unconscious form.
"We could've taken him to a hotel," Mia suggests, concern in her voice as she watches Ben massage his back.
"It's okay. Don't worry about it," Ben replies with a small smile.
Mia watches him for a moment. Despite his usual sarcasm and mysterious vibe, Ben really is a good person. He helped Kevin—even though every part of him clearly didn't want to.
"I'll get going then," Mia says, smiling softly.
Ben raises an eyebrow.
"You should eat first. I'll cook for you." He gives her a lopsided grin. "We didn't get to eat at that pasta place I told you about... because of someone."
He throws a pointed glance at Kevin, still knocked out on the bed, then sighs dramatically.
"Oh, it's okay. I'll eat at home," Mia replies politely.
Ben steps closer, gently takes both of her hands in his, tilting his head playfully as his eyes lock onto hers.
"Please? It won't take long." His smile catches her off guard—soft, sincere, and unexpectedly charming.
Mia hesitates, caught off guard.
Maybe... one quick meal wouldn't hurt.