The evening's events carried on as expected—laughter, chatter, music—but beneath the cheerful atmosphere, a quiet tension brewed. I couldn't unsee the strange body language between Larry and Lara. Something about the way they exchanged glances… uncomfortable, guarded. Larry seemed eager to leave every time Lara came too close, and Lara, on the other hand, had this determined expression—like she wasn't done with whatever they had going on.
My curiosity burned, but I knew better than to push right now. I needed to play it cool, even as the sense of being left out gnawed at me.
I quietly excused myself and retreated to my room. My thoughts swirled restlessly. What was going on between them? What were they hiding? And why did it feel like whatever it was concerned me?
Not long after, my mom sent for me. Apparently, some of my younger cousins were asking for me, and she didn't want me to isolate myself.
I went downstairs, careful to avoid Larry's gaze, afraid my eyes might betray my feelings. The moment I stepped into the room, my little cousins ran toward me, arms open and faces lit with excitement.
"Uu! Uu!" they called out in unison.
They bombarded me with questions about college life. I laughed as one of them—my inquisitive seven-year-old cousin—asked, "Is it true you study from morning to night in college? Mommy said you don't even have time to eat."
I gave a playful nod. "Oh yes, that's how you grow big brains," I said, tickling her tummy.
"Then I'm not going," she pouted. "I just want to eat and watch cartoons."
"Then no big brain for you," I teased, raising my hands dramatically.
Their giggles filled the space, and I found myself genuinely smiling for a moment.
I glanced across the room to see Larry standing quietly nearby. The kids noticed him too and immediately ran to him. He lifted them effortlessly, laughing as they tugged on his shirt and pulled him toward the large sitting room. I stood still, watching them—watching him. He had that warmth, the ease with kids, the smile that used to feel like home.
Then—tap, tap—a hand landed on my shoulder.
I turned sharply. It was Lara.
Her smirk was unsettling.
"What is it, Lara?" I snapped, my voice edged with irritation.
She let out a soft chuckle. "Wow. That tone. Remember I'm five years older than you, Uriel. You don't talk to me like that."
She took a step closer, eyes roaming over my dress.
"You really did show up tonight, huh? Got everyone's attention, even Larry's," she added, voice low, sly.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "If you have something to say, say it."
Lara raised her brow. "Oh, I'm not the one hiding things."
There it was. The jab. The warning. Or maybe… the challenge.
She turned and walked away before I could respond, leaving me standing there—heart racing, fists clenched, and mind full of questions.
Whatever was between her and Larry wasn't over. And whatever we were… wasn't safe
Great! Here's the continuation of Chapter 7, picking up from where we left off—with deepening tension, a quiet moment between Uriel and Larry, and a cliffhanger that keeps the mystery building.
The rest of the evening blurred by in a mix of smiles and polite conversations. I played my part. I laughed when I was supposed to, helped serve drinks, even posed for family pictures. But my mind stayed fixed on Lara's words—"I'm not the one hiding things."
I kept watching her. And Larry. The way she moved close to him, smiled just a little too wide, touched his arm like she had every right to. Larry, for the most part, kept a straight face, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the stiffness in his responses. He was tolerating her, but barely.
Later that night, when the noise died down and everyone had retreated to their rooms or taken spots in the living room for the night, I stepped out onto the back porch. I needed air. I needed space from the confusion clawing at my chest.
A few minutes passed before I heard the door creak behind me.
"Thought I'd find you here," Larry's voice came softly.
I turned, and there he was—hands in his pockets, his white shirt slightly rumpled, sleeves rolled up, hair a little messier than usual. He looked tired, but handsome. Too handsome for his own good.
"I just needed some space," I whispered.
He nodded and walked over, leaving a small but safe distance between us. We stood there in silence for a while, the cool night breeze brushing past us, the sounds of distant laughter fading into the background.
"I didn't like how she talked to you earlier," he said finally.
I glanced at him. "You heard that?"
"Hard not to. She meant for you to feel it."
I swallowed hard. "What's going on, Larry? Between you and Lara?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long breath.
"It's complicated," he said. "But I promise you, whatever there was... it's not what you think. And it's not important anymore."
"But it feels important," I whispered. "It feels like something I don't know could hurt me."
Larry turned to face me fully then. "What matters is this," he said, gently pointing between us. "You and me. I care about you, Uriel. I don't want anything—or anyone—to mess that up."
My heart stilled for a second. "Then be honest with me. I can handle it."
He looked at me with something unreadable in his eyes. There was more he wanted to say, I could feel it—but just like before, he stopped himself.
"I will," he said softly. "Just not tonight."
I wanted to push. But I also knew this wasn't the moment. Not here. Not when too many ears could still be listening.
We stood there a little longer, side by side, watching the stars in silence.
But one thing was clear now—whatever secret Lara held, it had the power to unravel everything. And whether Larry was ready or not, I needed the truth… before it found a way to destroy us both.