The funeral for Camila had ended, but the sadness still lingered in the air like a dense, inescapable fog. Ruwi's house was in darkness, with only a few candles flickering in the living room, casting long shadows on the walls. The air smelled of incense and wilted flowers, soaked with the echo of the sobs of those who had loved her.
Ruwi, unable to bear the weight of the pain, retreated to his room, where the dimness wrapped around him like a mourning cloak. He fell onto the bed, his gaze lost on the ceiling as memories flooded him. In the living room, Daniel sat on a chair, his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking with tears. The happy memories of Camila haunted him, each laugh and every gesture now returning as a dagger straight to his heart.
—She always scolded me for silly things —Daniel murmured through tears, his voice trembling.
Beside him, Rosenda cried inconsolably, holding onto Valeria, who tried to comfort her with gentle strokes on her back. Rosenda sobbed as though the weight of Camila's absence was crushing her from the inside.
—She was my best friend. I should have done something more —she whispered, feeling the guilt cling to her chest like invisible claws.
Valeria, though less close to Camila, could not ignore the sadness that enveloped them all. Her gaze drifted toward the door of Ruwi's room, a lump rising in her throat.
—I didn't know her as well, but... poor Ruwi —she murmured with a tinge of sorrow.
Meanwhile, in the lonely streets, Pablo Lorenzo walked with a blank mind. His footsteps echoed in the night like a distant sound, and the cold wind hit his face without him seeming to notice. He wandered aimlessly, absorbed in dark thoughts, until a strange sensation made the hairs on his skin rise. He stopped and looked around, but the street was empty... or so it seemed.
From a shadowy corner, a figure emerged with a malicious smile. Lucifer watched him with penetrating eyes, enjoying the suffering of others.
Inside his room, Ruwi closed his eyes and let himself be dragged by the memories.
Flashback: The day Ruwi and Camila became a couple
It was February 1st, a cool afternoon with the sky painted in shades of orange and pink. Ruwi held a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates, feeling his heart beat like a frantic drum.
—Come on, Ruwi, calm down. We've practiced this —he told himself, trying to control the anxiety.
—Don't be shy, buddy! —Daniel joked, giving him a pat on the back and smiling sideways.
The atmosphere was filled with murmurs and laughter in the background, the distant sound of birds nesting in the trees. Gathering all his courage, Ruwi approached Camila, who looked at him curiously. Her hair danced in the breeze, and her smile lit up the sunset.
—Camila... there's something I need to tell you —he said, his voice trembling and his eyes fixed on hers.
Camila felt her own heart race. The tenderness in Ruwi's gaze moved her, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
—What is it, Ruwi? —Camila asked softly.
Ruwi glanced at Daniel and Rosenda, who were watching expectantly from a distance, and took a deep breath before speaking.
—Will you be my girlfriend? —he asked, feeling time freeze in that moment.
For a second, the world seemed to stand still. Then, Camila's eyes filled with emotion, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
—Yes, of course! —she exclaimed with a radiant smile.
Ruwi felt an overwhelming relief, and with a tender gesture, he caressed Camila's face. In a shared impulse, they kissed sweetly, sealing a moment they would never forget.
End of Flashback
Back in his room, Ruwi covered his face with his hands and sobbed with uncontrollable pain.
—I miss you, Camila. I don't know what I'll do without you —he murmured with a broken voice, hugging himself in the loneliness of the night.
Meanwhile, in the alley, Pablo Lorenzo faced a disturbing scene. Lucifer approached him with a false expression of condolence.
—Hello, friend —he greeted in a soft tone, but laden with hidden malice.
Pablo Lorenzo looked at him with suspicion.
—What do you want? —he asked coldly.
—I saw how sad you are. I'm sorry about Camila; you seemed so close —Lucifer commented with feigned compassion.
—Say it quickly, I don't have time for games —Pablo Lorenzo snapped, feeling an increasing discomfort.
Lucifer smiled cunningly and raised a hand, revealing a distorted vision. In the image, Ruwi was pouring something into Camila's drink, his eyes hiding a sinister intention.
—Ruwi was never a saint; after all, he killed his own girlfriend —Lucifer whispered, sowing doubt with subtle poison.
Pablo Lorenzo felt a chill run down his spine. His mind was torn between disbelief and the rising fury.
—If you want to get back at him, join me. I'll offer you power, money, and everything you've lost —Lucifer tempted, extending a crimson fruit with a hypnotic glow.
Pablo Lorenzo looked at the fruit with desire and, without thinking too much, brought it to his lips. A strange warmth spread through his body as he consumed it. Lucifer laughed in satisfaction, his laughter echoing through the night like a hellish sound.
—Welcome, my son —he proclaimed with wicked joy.
The darkness spread around him, marking the beginning of something much more dangerous.