A flash of red interrupts his peace, the Nosh & Nibble sign flickering on. The same place where he and Rafael shared their first meal.
He crushes the memory and strides toward his bike.
He never should’ve let himself believe there was room for someone like Rafael in his life.
Not with the neighborhood on the edge, his crew under threat, and Athena still out there.
32
Chapter 32 - Rafael
A waiter drone zips overhead as Rafael slips into his booth, the cyan leather creaking under him. The sound barely carries over the chaos of Terra’s Diner, drowned beneath the chatter of packed tables and synth-pop blaring from hidden speakers.
He straightens in his seat. The same drone glides over to the next table and drops off a stack of waffles. Rafael forces his eyes to the glowing menu in his hands. Over a hundred meals under ninety-nine credits, and somehow none of them look remotely appealing.
Every dish seems to tie back to Kane. Donuts from his final day in Shreveport. Sandwiches from their rooftop date. Steak from the man’s last visit to his apartment.
Anything he orders will taste hollow by comparison. Synthetic slush pretending to be real. He exhales, shoulders slouching.
The parallel is hard to ignore.
Maybe that’s why the breakup felt inevitable. If VitaCorp hadn’t uncovered them, someone else would’ve.
This is for the best. This is right. Or so he keeps tellinghimself.
Pushing the thoughts aside, he shifts his focus to the menu. His parents will be here any minute for their monthly dinner. If only Maria were joining them, too.
“Sorry we’re late!”
Rafael looks up at the familiar voice just as his mother slides into the booth across from him. Still in her yellow medical scrubs, she nudges his father along by the arm until he’s seated beside her. Unlike her, his father is dressed comfortably in a matching sweat set, dark medical glasses shielding his eyes.
“Your father insisted on coming,” she groans. “Even though he just had his optics upgraded. The doctor said he should rest, but…well, you know how he is.”
Rafael’s eyes widen. “You had the procedure today?” He reaches across the table and covers his father’s hand. “Dad, are you okay? We can always reschedule if you need to.”
“I’m fine!” His father laughs, patting Rafael’s hand. “I can…mostly see. But once everything settles, they said I’ll be able to experience a whole new world. Colors beyond the spectrum, edges sharp enough to slice air, stars brighter than a telescope could ever show.”
Unease coils in Rafael’s gut. He’s heard this exact speech in ads all throughout the hospital. Though grating, it was easy to dismiss as typical VitaCorp marketing, a lot harder straight from his father’s mouth.
Still, he forces a smile, not wanting to ruin the mood. “Sounds amazing!”
“Amazing forhim, maybe,” Rafael’s mother snatches a holo menu. “But now I have to order for him, hold doors—practically everything. Our assistant drone’s out of commissionuntil we can afford the upgrade.” Her dark eyes narrow at his father. “Which we can’t do until we pay this off…”
“The cost is coming out ofmypaycheck,” his father mutters. It’s the opening line of an argument Rafael knows by heart.
Thankfully, a waiter drone swoops in with complimentary coffee and order confirmation.
Once they’re alone, his mother sinks into the booth. “So, Rafael…” Her voice is soft yet curious. “How have you been?”
He takes a sip of his coffee, buying some time.
It’s been three days since the breakup, three days of going back to life like usual. Yet nothing has shifted his mood, unable to forget the gang leader from Shreveport.
But his parents don’t know Kane existed. Lian and the others only got “distance” as the reason for their break. And now, with his mother’s rigid shoulder and his father nodding absently to the music, Rafeal can’t bear giving a hint to the truth.
“Not bad. What about you?” He shrugs.
“Oh, the usual.” His mother hums, tapping the table. “Working doubles, staying in shape, and managing your sister.” Her tone shifts sharply. “She’s moved out again—to theslums, of all places. For ananarchist boyfriend. Can you believe her?”