Lisa's Point of view
After that night, we barely saw each other anymore.
Edward comes home late and leaves for college early. But no matter what, he always makes breakfast for me.
It hurts to see him avoiding me like this, not even glancing at me. But I'm the one who pushed him away.
He's not eating much. He's growing thinner.
I shouldn't have done that.
Why did I lash out at him that day? I was stressed at work, and when I saw him eating that sandwich, I just… snapped.
I said so many hurtful things. He was holding back his tears the whole time.
I shouldn't have done that.
At College
"Hey, Ed!" Hannah called out, jogging toward me.
"Yeah?"
"We need to present the project tomorrow."
"Oh… I totally forgot about it," I replied.
She grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do you look like you're carrying the weight of the world?" she pressed. Hannah could always read me like an open book.
"It's nothing. Just leave me alone for a while. I'll be fine."
I skipped class and went upstairs to get some fresh air.
Hannah's Point of view
What happened to him?
Did he and Lisa fight?
Ring… Ring… Ring…
"Hello?" I answered the call.
"Hey, sis."
"Yeah, Carl's not with me," I replied.
"He's been hanging out with way too many girls these days."
"Not my problem."
"But it's mine," she sighed. "Anyway, how's Edward doing?"
"He's… alright."
"How long till he graduates?"
"Six or seven months."
"They called me asking if something had happened to him. He's not picking up their calls."
"He's in a bad mood right now."
Tell him to call them back. If he doesn't, they'll come to see him themselves, she warned.
"We don't need trouble right now."
"I know," I sighed.
We need both of them back here. You know what we'd go through without them.
I know. "Maybe your favorite guy can handle it?" I teased.
"Why didn't you call him?"
"I'm mad at him. I don't want to talk to him."
"You and your little obsession."
Language! "Hannah Deluca, I'm your older sister!" she yelled, making me flinch.
"Tell Carl to sort it out," she said before hanging up.
I shivered. "God, her yelling gives me chills." I texted Carl about it.
On the rooftop
Man, why won't they stop calling me? "Can't they just leave me alone?" I muttered.
"I knew you'd be here," Carl said, walking over.
"Why are you here?"
"To see my best buddy. What else? I skipped class—it was boring."
I sighed. "I'm not going to ask, but you know you need to tell me everything, right?"
"What are you talking about?" I tried to brush it off, but he just stared at me.
A few moments later, I broke down.
Carl patted my shoulder. "Let it all out, man."
"She regrets meeting me." My voice cracked. She regrets everything that happened. I thought things were finally changing…
Carl's Point of view
I clenched my fists, watching him cry.
He's been through so much already. I really thought things were getting better for him.
I wish you both were here. He hasn't been the same since you left. I thought she would bring a change… but I was wrong.
After a while…
"I miss the old Edward—the cold-blooded one," I joked, making him chuckle. At least he's smiling.
Hey, don't do anything, okay? Leave Lisa alone," Edward warned.
"I won't. What do you take me for?"
"I know you, man. I know what you're capable of."
Fine. "But if this happens again, I won't stay silent," I said firmly.
"She didn't mean any of it. Something was bothering her that day. I know she regrets it."
"Alright, man."
We were about to leave when Hannah walked up to us.
"I knew you two would be here," she said with a smirk.
We smiled back.
"And Carl—your lady called me asking about you. You're in trouble."
"What? I didn't do anything!"
"You'll find out when she gets here."
"She's coming here?! Why?! I'm doomed!"
"Relax, I'm messing with you."
"You little—!" I lunged at her, but she dodged, flipping the attack back on me. (And just like that, I was the one getting hit.)
Edward laughed. "You two never change."
We all smiled.
Then Hannah told Edward what her sister said, and he immediately called them back.
Edward's Point of view
"Hey, Hannah, get ready to ace the project tomorrow," I said.
She grinned. "Now that's more like it!"
We left for class.
After college, I went to work. By the time I got back, Lisa was already home, cooking something.
I went to the bathroom for a quick bath. After the bath, I changed into comfortable clothes, walked into the living room, and collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted.
Somewhere in the distance.
Dimly lit bar on the outskirts of the city. A group of men in expensive suits sits in a secluded corner, their voices low but intense. The air is thick with cigarette smoke, and the bartender keeps his head down, pretending not to listen.
Stranger #1: (tapping his fingers on the table) "So, no one knows where he came from? No real records, no trace of college?"
Stranger #2: (shaking his head) "Nothing useful. Just that he suddenly appeared a few years back. Lives a quiet life, doesn't draw attention… but we know better, don't we?"
Stranger #3: (leaning forward) "Someone like that doesn't just exist out of nowhere. He's hiding something."
A man in a long black coat walks in. His presence commands attention without a single word. He takes a seat at the bar, orders a drink, and listens. When the strangers mention Edward's name again, he finally moves.
Mysterious Man: (casually turning his chair to face them) "You gentlemen seem very interested in a certain Edward."
The strangers pause. They don't recognize him, but something about his voice sends a chill through them.
Stranger #1: (forcing a smirk) "Just gathering information. Who are you?"
Mysterious Man: (taking a slow sip of his drink) "Someone who's been watching you for a while now."
The air grows thick with tension. The bartender discreetly steps back.
Mysterious Man: "You see… digging into things that don't concern you is a dangerous habit. Especially when it comes to him."
Stranger #3: (narrowing his eyes) "And if we don't stop?"
The man places his drink down, his fingers tapping against the glass in a rhythmic pattern—a silent warning. Then, he leans forward, just enough for them to catch the glint of something in his pocket.
Mysterious Man: "Then you won't have to worry about Edward anymore."
A long silence follows. The strangers exchange glances, the unspoken threat clear.
Stranger #2: (swallowing hard) "No need for trouble… we were just curious."
Mysterious Man: (smirking as he stands up) "Good. Keep it that way."
He slides a card across the table—black, embossed with a single silver symbol.
Mysterious Man: "If you ever forget this conversation… call that number. You won't like who answers."
Without another word, he walks out, his presence lingering long after he's gone. The strangers glance at each other, then at the card. One of them flips it over. There's no name. Just a single phrase
:
"Dont dig deeper. Who knows, maybe you're digging your own grave".