"What are we doing here, Bar?" Alma asked as Barra led her through the glass doors of a bustling shopping mall.
"A date!"
Alma’s eyes widened. She looked at him with a sparkling gaze, a flicker of joy momentarily erasing a week's worth of exhaustion.
"Since no one is chasing us at this very second, I want to take you to eat your favorite food, drink boba, watch a movie—whatever you want until our bus leaves tonight. What do you say?"
Alma nodded eagerly. For a whole week, they had lived like fugitives—sleeping fitfully, always alert, rarely sharing a genuine laugh. Now, for at least a few hours, they could pretend to be a normal couple.
They ended up at a cozy pizza parlor.
"Is it good?" Barra asked, watching Alma happily devour her second slice of Pepperoni pizza. She looked like a child who had just been treated to her favorite toy.
Alma nodded enthusiastically, her face glowing.
Barra chuckled softly. Since they ran away, this was the first time he had seen her eat with such pure happiness. "We’ll order another one to take with us for the road, okay?" he said, gently wiping a smudge of cheese and tomato sauce from the corner of her lip.
Alma paused, looking at him. "Aren't you eating?"
Barra shook his head. "I’ll grab something at the cinema later."
Alma grew quiet, quickly swallowing her bite. Her expression turned hesitant. "You don't like pizza, do you?"
"Mmm... I'm still full." Barra sipped his iced lychee tea, trying to act nonchalant.
"But you haven't eaten anything yet..."
Barra gave a thin smile. "I'm just not in the mood for pizza."
Suddenly, Alma remembered. She covered her mouth with a napkin, her face clouding with guilt. "Oh God... I forgot. You hate Italian food. I'm so sorry, Bar..."
Barra quickly shook his head. "Hei, I’m the one who brought you here."
"You don't have to do this. I can eat anything." Alma waved over a waiter, asking to pack the leftovers. "Now it's my turn. Let's find something you actually like."
Alma looked at Barra, her heart aching with a mixture of love and guilt. She realized then that Barra hadn't just been polite; he had walked into a place he genuinely disliked just to see her smile. For someone as firm in his ways as Barra, this silent sacrifice spoke louder than any grand romantic gesture. It wasn't about the pizza; it was about his willingness to endure discomfort just so she could have a small piece of "normal" happiness amidst the chaos. At that moment, Alma felt a wave of warmth—Barra’s love wasn't just words; it was a steady, selfless devotion.
Not long after, they moved to a chicken noodle stall. This time, the roles were reversed. Alma watched him with a tender smile, her eyes brightening as Barra finally ate with genuine gusto. Seeing him enjoy his meal brought her a sense of relief she hadn't realized she needed.
But the brief moment of peace couldn't keep the shadows away for long. The silence between bites allowed her mind to wander back to the danger they were in.
"Bar..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I still haven't heard anything from Mama. What if something happened? What if they’ve taken her phone?"
Barra immediately dropped his chopsticks and squeezed her hand firmly across the table. "Hei... look at me," he said, his voice dropping to a low, comforting hum. "Don't go down that dark road right now. We're on a date, remember? Just for tonight, give yourself permission to be happy. Just for a moment. With me."
Tears welled up in Alma’s eyes. She looked down, her voice trembling. "I’m just... overwhelmed."
Barra laughed gently. "Crying over half a pizza? Tough crowd."
Alma smiled shyly through her tears, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in days.
A few hours later, inside the cool, dark cinema, Alma’s head slumped onto Barra’s shoulder. Barra stroked her hair softly, a familiar rhythm. Only in these moments could Alma sleep without nightmares.
However, as the credits rolled and the lights flickered on, Barra’s phone vibrated. One new message. His face hardened as he read it. He immediately dialed the sender.
"What is it, Dom?" his voice was low, laced with tension.
Alma, newly awakened, watched him with growing dread. Barra’s face turned grim. She waited with a racing heart until the call ended.
"What happened, Bar?" Alma asked impatiently.
Barra let out a heavy sigh. "Your father is beyond furious."
Alma stiffened. "Bar..."
"He’s stopped using the police. He’s deployed his own men. They’re everywhere, in plain clothes, undercover. We won’t know who’s chasing us anymore. They could be anyone, anywhere."
Alma turned pale. "My God... what do we do?"
"We can't take the bus tonight. They’ll be waiting at the terminals."
"So... we stay here?" Alma’s voice shook.
"Yes. Let them think we’ve already fled. Dom is going to find us a place to hide." Barra checked the time. The mall was closing soon. They couldn't stay in public spaces for long.
He looked at Alma, trying to force a smile. "Al, do you want to watch the midnight movie?"
Alma looked at him in confusion for a second, then nodded. She knew Barra was just trying to keep her calm. Leaning back against his shoulder, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath, was the only thing that made her feel safe that night.
Barra turned his phone back on to coordinate with Dominik. But deep down, a cold fear was growing. He knew that one wrong move now, and it would all be over.
YOU ARE READING
Kidnapping the General's Daughter
Romansa"He thought he was rescuing their love. He didn't know he was just driving her escape." Barra is a brilliant law student, a high-achiever who built his future on a prestigious scholarship. He plays by the rules and carries the weight of his mother's...
