Between: love and crime | english version

chapter eight

Elaya's POV :

I politely declined and explained to the waiter that we needed to review our university material during our break. The waiter nodded understandingly, wished us a productive time, and withdrew. While attempting to focus on my books, I couldn't ignore the unsettling presence of Thy's message, which continued to linger in my thoughts.

I couldn't shake the feeling that Thy was genuinely upset. The ominous undertone in his messages made me doubt. Nevertheless, I decided, for the time being, to ignore Thy's warning and trust my own decisions.

---

Alicia interrupted my thoughts: "Hey, Elaya, how about going shopping in the city for a bit?"

I hesitated briefly, not hiding my uncertainty. "Oh, I don't know. There's still so much to do, and I've got a lot on my plate."

Alicia looked at me with a mischievous grin. "Come on, a little break will do you good. Plus, there's this new store I really want to check out."

I searched for excuses. "I really have a lot of university material to catch up on, and then there are these unresolved things with Thy."

Alicia tilted her head. "Elaya, sometimes you need to relax and escape the chaos. We can catch up on the rest together. Shopping might be just the thing."

I sighed, signaling my surrender. "Okay, you win. But only for an hour, okay?"

Alicia beamed with joy. "Deal! You'll see, it'll do us good."

---

The stores were filled with colorful clothing and dazzling shop windows showcasing the latest trends. Despite my initial doubts, I looked forward to taking a break from the stressful university routine.

While Alicia browsed the shelves, I tried to focus on shopping, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Thy's messages. The unsettling words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't deny that they cast a shadow over my mood.

Entering a trendy store, Alicia seemed to be the perfect distraction. "Look at this dress, Elaya! It would be perfect for the next meeting with Thy or maybe for a special evening."

I eyed the dress skeptically but couldn't resist the smile on Alicia's face. "Alright, I'll try it on."

As I put on the dress in the fitting room, I tried to forget my worries. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was surprised by the image. The dress was chic, and I felt unexplainably more confident in it.

Alicia applauded as I emerged from the fitting room. "You look stunning, Elaya! Sometimes all it takes is a new outfit to feel better."

We ventured into more stores, and I gradually got caught up in the excitement of shopping. It was as if the colors and patterns of the clothes cleared my mind and offered a welcome break from the mysterious incidents with Thy.

---

In the evening, both of them left the café two hours later and agreed to meet the next day after university to go shopping.

Alicia smiled as we strolled through the evening streets. "Elaya, I have to say, this day has truly made me happy. It's nice not only to party but also to spend time together and wander through the city."

I nodded in agreement. "True, it was a welcome change. The music, the shopping, all of it really did me good. Thanks, Alicia."

She winked at me. "No problem, my dear. Sometimes you just need a day to escape everyday life and focus on what really matters. And who knows, maybe this will bring us luck, and the mysteries around Thy will unravel."

Alicia's words touched me, and I felt grateful for her friendship. Together, we continued to stroll, exchanging stories and laughter until our paths eventually diverged.

---

The streets were already quiet as I walked home alone. It's already getting cold in the evening but no wonder, autumn started to begin. A sense of relaxation and serenity accompanied me. However, before reaching my apartment, I felt a sudden tug on my arm. Startled, I turned around to find Thywan standing before me with a serious expression.

"Why are you out so late?" he asked sternly, his eyes searching for answers on my face.

"I was in the city with a friend. We just spent some time," I tried to explain but sensed that this wasn't the answer he expected.

"You should be more careful, Elaya. It's not safe to be out alone at night. You never know who might be lurking out there," he added with a hint of concern. I think he was talking about the day we met.

His sudden appearance and serious demeanor made me hesitate. "I can take care of myself, Thy. You don't always need to protect me."

"I thought we settled this, and you agreed," he responded, furrowing his brow.

I just rolled my eyes.

"I can take care of myself."

His gaze intensified, and a trace of dominance appeared on his face. "You're so stubborn; you'll be my downfall, Elaya. Do it again and you will see what I'm going to do with you."

I blushed. He grinned in response to my reaction. "Sometimes it's better to listen to the advice of those who care about you." he added.

The tension between us escalated, and I felt there was more he wasn't telling me. "Thy....."

His expression hardened, and he replied with a serious tone, "We will talk soon, Elaya. But for now, you better go inside. The night isn't always so friendly."

---

Upon reaching my apartment, I changed into my cozy pajamas and collapsed onto my bed, feeling exhausted. The pillows felt particularly inviting, and I hoped that sleep would offer an escape from the turmoil of the past few days.

While settling under the covers, I contemplated the upcoming weeks. The uncertainty in my relationship with Thywan gnawed at me, but I tried to focus on the impending university tasks to keep from losing my composure.

My gaze fell on my phone, and I debated whether I should send him another message. Doubts, however, held me back. Instead, I chose to spend the night without further thoughts about him and surrendered to the solace of sleep.

With a sigh, attempting to ignore the uncertainties, I turned off the light and let the darkness of the room envelop me. The sounds of passing cars and the faint noises of the night accompanied me into a restful sleep, hoping that the answers to my questions would become clearer in the morning light.

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When will she get her answers? When will Thy allow her in? 💕🫠