Chapter 4: The Late Night Conversation
The house was quiet again.
Amara had gone to bed early, exhausted from work, leaving the downstairs wrapped in that same deep silence I had started getting used to.
I sat on the couch with my laptop open, pretending to search for jobs while actually scrolling through random articles.
My mind wasn't focused.
It had been wandering all evening.
Maybe it was because of Victor's offer to help with the job search. Or maybe it was the way he had watched me during dinner.
Either way, sleep felt far away.
I stood up to make tea in the kitchen.
The soft sound of footsteps behind me made me turn.
Victor.
He had changed into a simple black shirt and dark trousers, his sleeves rolled slightly to his forearms.
"You're still awake," he said.
His voice was low, calm as always.
"So are you," I replied.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Habit," he said. "I rarely sleep before midnight."
I poured hot water into a mug.
"Tea?" I offered.
"Sure."
We stood quietly in the kitchen for a moment while the kettle cooled. It should have been awkward, but strangely, it wasn't.
Victor leaned lightly against the counter.
"So," he said, "what kind of marketing do you specialize in?"
I shrugged. "Mostly social media campaigns. Digital strategy."
"That explains your phone addiction."
I laughed softly. "I'm not addicted."
"Everyone says that."
We both smiled.
For a few minutes the conversation flowed easily. Work. Travel. Random stories about university life.
Victor listened the same way he had at dinner focused.
At one point he asked, "Do you regret anything?"
The question caught me off guard.
"Regret?"
"Yes. Any decisions you wish you had made differently?"
I thought for a moment.
"Not really," I said finally. "I just wish things were… more stable."
Victor nodded slowly.
"Stability is overrated."
I blinked. "Really?"
"Yes."
His eyes met mine.
"Some of the most important moments in life happen when everything feels uncertain."
For a second, the air between us felt heavier.
The kind of silence that carries meaning.
I looked away first, focusing on my tea.
"This house must feel boring then," I joked.
Victor chuckled softly.
"You'd be surprised."
Something about the way he said it made my stomach flip slightly.
I didn't understand why.
And I wasn't sure I wanted to.