---

Ximena’s eyes fell, and she turned away from the door. She ran into the elevator, her heart racing. He followed, swift like a cheetah, and the doors slid shut. But the elevator stopped moving.

Oh no! We’re stuck, she thought.

"Yes, fate," he said, a sly smile forming. Her eyes filled with venom.

"Never!" she spat.

Time crawled as if driven by a snail. Ximena rushed to the elevator’s door, pounding on it over and over until her palm bled. "Why do you keep hurting me... is this the punishment for the crime of love?"

He gently took her hand, guiding her to sit down. He pulled out a handkerchief and tied it around her bleeding palm. "I never meant for that to happen. I promise I’ll make it right."

Ximena scoffed. "Well, I saw everything. It should have ended before I walked in... spare me the excuses. You wouldn't kiss me, but you had no problem sucking on her grapes—Candy, right?"

"It happened... No excuse, but I’m truly sorry. You’re honey, you know candies can’t compete with honey," he said, sitting beside her, holding her hand.

"You know, it hurts when people you love hurt you. But it kills when you know it was intentional," she whispered, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.

"Please," he said softly. "My life’s a mess right now. If you leave, it might kill me faster than any venom... please, stay."

"I’m not going anywhere because we were never dating," she chuckled, finding his reaction unexpectedly cute. "I haven’t even said yes."

He smiled. "Hey, I got you apples."

"They’re in my bag. Take them... all of them."

He took one and ate it, down to the core. "Your apples are great."

"They’re not mine. Don’t be silly. I bought them." She caught him staring at her chest and pushed his face away. "Naughty."

The elevator doors opened, and Ruby stood on the other side, arms crossed, legs apart. Ximena glared, but her attention shifted back to Rex. His skin was covered in red welts, and his body trembled with sweat and tears. Allergies!

Ruby stormed off, leaving Ximena to grab her bags and support Rex as they exited the elevator. Car lights flashed in their direction, and Willow rushed out of the car, grabbing Rex’s arm.

"Hey! Trouble, stay out of my lane," he said, guiding Rex into the car, while Ruby mocked them from the distance.


---

Ximena later sat on a bench along the street, her eyes shut, thoughts flowing like a river. The night was still, and then she heard him.

"It’s been a long time since you sat on the street, my dear friend," the man said. His words were calm, soothing her nerves.

"Good evening, mystery man," she responded. "You disappeared without a word last time."

"Watch it, I might again," he teased. "Beautiful night, isn’t it?"

"Bad days often have the most..."

"Shh... hear that?" he said.

She strained to listen but heard only the usual night sounds. She turned, but he had vanished.

"Never miss a chance to laugh at...