Sugus smiled the moment he stopped in front of the table.

  Her eyes shimmered under the neon lights.

  “I missed you.”

  Yudoson’s expression didn’t change.

  “Did you…?” he replied flatly. “I couldn’t care less.”

  One of the men nearby let out an awkward laugh, not understanding the atmosphere. It died quickly when he noticed the strange silence between them.

  Sugus didn’t look offended.

  If anything, her smile only grew wider.

  She placed the cue stick on the table and leaned closer to him for a brief second — close enough to provoke, far enough not to touch.

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  “Let’s talk somewhere private.”

  It wasn’t a request.

  She was already turning away before he could answer.

  She walked toward a side staircaseira staircase lit by a dim red glow. At the last step, she glanced back over her shoulder.

  She raised her index finger.

  A small gesture.

  Come.

  Simple. Natural. As if she were absolutely certain he would follow.

  Yudoson remained still for a moment.

  The bar stayed alive behind him — laughter, billiard balls clashing, glasses striking against wood.

  Normality.

  He let out a short breath.

  Then he started walking.

  Each step felt slightly heavier as he moved away from the main lights.

  His shadow stretched along the staircase.

  For a moment…

  dark smoke slipped from the side of his head, wavering like a silent breath.

  It vanished before anyone could notice.

  At the top, Sugus was already waiting in front of a closed door.

  Smiling.

  As if the real conversation was only beginning now.

  She slowly opened the door.

  “Come in, love.”