Three Means 1

Confessions

Dulce and Pierre's eyes widened at Angelo's unnecessary comment. Her heart dropped at this apparent reminder of his comprehensive awareness of their shared history. Surely, Angelo wouldn't mean a threat at revealing their secret. She stayed contemplating, and she saw the possibility of betraying him, revealing his own secrets to none other than Fleur. Did Angelo fully understand the consequences of such a revelation?

Angelo's kept his smirk but it subtly faded as Arthur delivered his response.

"What exactly are you insinuating?" He asked. Angelo, thinking he's receive a casual brush off to what he considered an inside joke, was taken aback by the unexpected severity of Arthur's question. The subtlety he had intended transformed into an unintended implication.

Dulce threw a discreet look at Angelo and he recognized the warning, though he had no intention of explaining his dumb joke that had taken an unexpected turn.

"It's nothing, Arthur. I'm just joking." He reassured, but Arthur wasn't convinced.

"No. There is substance in your words. Enlighten me." Arthur insisted, redirecting his eyes to Pierre. A look was exchanged between Pierre and Dulce, who quickly turned away, unwilling to raise suspicions. Why did Pierre's eyes linger on her?

   Silence.

Arthur broke the quietness.

"I thought my sister was talking nonsense when she told me you guys made a cute couple but, now, my eyes tell me it's the truth."

No immediate response was given, which forced Arthur to continue with his questions

"Is it true, then?" He asked, looking at Dulce, who, now welling up with tears, met his stare, and in that moment, tears fell down.

"Forgive me, Arthur. This was never my intention. To be completely honest, I'm lost. I'm not sure of my own actions." She confessed hurriedly, eager to get herself out from the situation. She had rarely experienced such a profound sense of shame in her life.

Arthur's eyes shined similar to the tearful shine that Dulce's had moments before. Quickly, he stood from the dining table.

He didn't say a word, instead, he hid the every growing emotion that was in him. He turned away intentionally, not willing to resist to the vulnerability that his tears exposed.

"Stop this ridiculous pretend relationship. You were not togetherrr!" Pierre exclaimed unexpectedly. The audacity widened Dulce's eyes.

Arthur immediately turned around, this time his once saddened expression was one of anger.

"You fucking pig. You fake fuck, Judas. The thought of Angelo betraying me about literally anything always crossed my mind, but you?" He shouted, combining his shout with both fists pounding forcefully on the dining table.

Dulce, surprised by the loud sound, squeezed Pierre's thigh, to make him stay silent. He remained indifferent to her warning.

"I'll be a pig if it means I get to keep her." Pierre said softly, standing from his seat. There was a thick tension in the air, and Arthur reached across the table, grabbing Pierre's shirt tightly before punching him. Suddenly , red stained Pierre's pale skin.

"Stop it now!" Dulce commanded with fear in her voice. She stood to stop them, but caught an unintended hit from Arthur. A peaceful quiet waa heard in the room, and was quickly ruined by the loud noises of shattered bottles and blood.

She cried in a corner, but Angelo kept his composure and detachment, while enjoying his cigarette on the sofa. Despite her begging, Angelo stayed unmoved, hoping for the brutal end of the fight, even if it meant severe injury.

"Trust me, he looks cute when he's injured." He said, referring to his brother, which sent a shiver down Dulce's spine. The response was the cherry that caused her to leave. Her mind, with its countless thoughts, was killing her.

Under the nightsky, which was lit only by the moon, she walked through the chaos, leaving a bigger one behind. The fight stayed in her ears, but new noises followed, as she stumbled upon a crowd of angry protesters with signs. She walked through them.

Her heart was pounding and she was desperately seeking comfort but the night grew darker, and it seemed to scare her. The tension in the crowd seemed to intensify with every step she took and, with all of her heart, she avoided any confrontation.

She finally returned to the quiet house late at night, the chaos and horrors of the outside now replaced by scary silence. She still felt the aftermath of the earlier fight in the air, and the surroundings didn't seemed familiar anymore. The soft glow of a lamp was the only thing illuminating the room.

She carefully moved through the quiet hallway and, as she did, memories of the passion between her and Pierre along with the horrible fight repeated in her memory, but as she entered the empty rooms, a big feeling of isolation covered her.

She took advantage of the quiet night to write a letter. She poured her messy thoughts on the pages.

"My Dearest Eliza,

I find myself in need to share the painful truth that has made its way into my life. The allure of Paris led me away from the right path, and I now must deal with the consequences of an adventure gone wrong.

Tonight's events exposed the flaws in the choices I have made. The love I looked for in these streets escaped from me, and was replaced by the harsh reality of heartache. It hurts me to admit that my heart, which ysed to be filled with dreams, now carries scars from choosing the wrong things.

I have to say goodbye to the beautiful city that promised so much yet delivered disappointment.
Being here is just a reminder of mistakes made (by me) and hearts broken. I prefer to look for comfort somewhere else.

Indeed, I admit my intention to leave, to break the ties that keep me in a city that has become more of a labyrinth than a safe space. Maybe in distance, back home, I'll find the healing and peace my soul's been longing for.

Regretfully,
Dulce"

She made up her mind to send the letter to the bakery as soon as the sun came up.