28: New Best Friend

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Bjorn and Violet sat on the rooftop of the headquarters, the Manila skyline stretching out before them, the city twinkling with a mix of old-world charm and modernity. A soft breeze carried the sounds of distant cars and the occasional honking of jeepneys. Bjorn handed Violet a glass of wine, and she accepted it with a small smile, her gaze focused on the view but her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

"You and Zyro," Bjorn started, swirling his glass of wine, watching the dark red liquid shimmer under the moonlight. "You seem... close."

Violet chuckled softly, glancing at him with a playful smirk. "More than close," she admitted, leaning back into her chair. "We've kind of been... dating. If you could even call it that with everything that's been happening."

Bjorn raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised at her honesty. He took a sip of his wine, letting the taste settle on his tongue as he considered her words. "I wasn't sure if it was serious," he said, though there was no judgment in his tone—just curiosity.

Violet shrugged, her expression softening. "I don't know if serious is the right word, but it's something. Zyro and I... we've been through a lot together, especially with all this craziness. It brought us closer." She paused, taking a sip from her glass. "I never really expected it to happen. But then again, life is full of surprises."

Bjorn nodded slowly, his mind wandering as she spoke. Violet's words made him think back to his past—before all the chaos, before the betrayals. He thought of Kristina, his former best friend, the one who had turned her back on him when he needed her most. The memories were sharp and bitter, like shards of glass piercing his mind.

Kristina had been everything to him once—loyal, understanding, someone he could trust without question. But that trust had been shattered, leaving him with scars that hadn't fully healed. And now, as he sat here, talking with Violet, he couldn't help but compare the two women.

Violet was different—stronger, wiser, more transparent. Where Kristina had faltered, Violet stood firm. Bjorn admired that about her, the way she faced her demons without flinching, the way she fought for those she cared about.

"She's better," Bjorn thought to himself, his gaze drifting to Violet. She was better than Kristina ever was—more genuine, more real. He hadn't realized it until now, how much he respected her.

"You're lucky," Bjorn said after a moment, breaking the silence. "Zyro's a good guy. And you two... you seem to balance each other out."

Violet smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Yeah, he's got his flaws, but don't we all? He makes me feel like I can be myself, you know? Without all the expectations, without having to put on some front."

Bjorn nodded again, his thoughts still lingering on the past. He wondered what it would have been like if Kristina had never betrayed him, if things had turned out differently. But then again, maybe it was for the best. People changed, and the past couldn't be undone. It only shaped them into who they were now.

"I had someone like that once," Bjorn said quietly, his voice softer than before. "Kristina. She was my best friend. I trusted her more than anyone. But... things fell apart."

Violet looked at him, her expression filled with understanding. She didn't press for details, sensing that it was a wound still healing.

"She hurt you," Violet said gently, more of a statement than a question.

Bjorn sighed, taking another sip of wine. "Yeah. She did. And it took me a long time to get over it." He turned his head, meeting Violet's eyes. "But I think... I think I'm finally starting to move past it."

Violet reached over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's good, Bjorn."

Bjorn smiled faintly, appreciating her words. He had found a new family in this group, and he realized that people like Violet, Zyro, Spike, and Conrad were the ones who mattered now. The betrayals of the past would no longer define him.

As they sat together, sipping wine under the stars, Bjorn felt a strange sense of peace wash over him. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he could breathe again.

"To new beginnings," Bjorn said, raising his glass.

Violet smiled warmly and clinked her glass against his. "To new beginnings."

His phone began to ring and it was Zyro. "What's up?"

"The creature is real, Bjorn." Zyro said, full of dread. "Dracula's real."

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