Chapter 28 - Rafael
“Just being with you is enough? You make me so happy?” Lian’s voice rings out, her hair flaring red like an alarm. “Are you seeing someone, Rafael? And why am I just now hearing about this?”
Rafael jolts in his chair, the V-link headset nearly slipping from his hands. Lian wasn’t supposed to be home. He carefully timed his virtual date to end before her shift finished. Yet here she stands in his doorway.
“How much did you hear?” His words tumble out.
Lian’s brows shoot up. “I should be the one interrogating you, not the other way around!” She huffs. “But I’ll have you know—I wasn’t even trying to eavesdrop. I was just dropping by on my lunch break to grab an outfit change—for my date after work.” His gaze drops to the shiny dress in her hand.
“Then I heard you say that while I was on my way out, and I couldn’t believe my ears.” Her shoulders slump, voice lowering. “’Cause I thought we were friends—best friends, but—”
“We are!” Rafael blurts, stomach dropping.
She scoffs. “Really? Well, I guess your definition of best friends doesn’t include honesty. Because it seems you’ve been keeping this—this man from me. Or are you going to say that was some game on V-link?”
His chest tightens. She heard his confession. Rafael has to come clean. Or risk losing his best friend of six years. The one who’s been there through every heartbreak, who holds their entire friend group together.
Besides, he’s been aching to confide in someone about Kane for weeks. Now that Lian knows, maybe he can share his relationship with a friend.
“I’m sorry,” Rafael begins. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about him, but it’s…a bit complicated, and we’ve only just started seeing each other.”
Her expression softens, hair reverting to black. She sighs and settles on the ottoman between his bed and desk. “It’s okay, Raffy.” Lian takes his hands in hers. “I forgive you.”
A smile tugs at his lips. She can be surprisingly understanding at times, at least with matters of the heart.
“But now you owe me the full story,” Lian teases with a smirk. “How’d you two meet? How long have you been together? Which corp does he work for? And what’s his name?”
“Hold on a minute,” Rafael chuckles, his excitement leaking into his voice despite himself. “Don’t you have to get back to work?”
Lian taps her wristlink. “Not yet! I’ve still got a few minutes…But enough about that—spill everything, Raffy! I’m so excited for you. You finally found a guy! Took you, what, two years to replace that loser from oncology?”
Warmth rises in him at her excitement, only to be snuffed out by reality. He can’t give the whole story. But maybe something close.
“Um…” Rafael gently pulls his hand from hers. “We met outside work. His friend—there was an accident. I was nearby and stepped in to help. Nurse instincts, you know…”
“Wait—why?” she cuts in, brows knitting. “He could’ve called a medtruck.”
His fingers drum the edge of his desk. “Oh—uh…they were on their way to a conference and didn’t want to be late waiting around. It wasn’t anything serious.” He forces a smile, pushing away the image of Echo motionless on the pool table. “A quick fix. That’s all.”
She nods, apparently believing his story. “So you guys stayed in touch after that? And started dating? Wait—who does he work for again? VitaCorp, Lux Systems, Mason Group?”
Rafael clears his throat. “Yeah, we—uh—stayed in touch after that. Bumped into each other a few times—” Almost every day for a week while he lived in the Outer Districts, patching up the crew. “We’ve gone on a few dates since then, and I guess it’s been a little over a month or so now.”
At least that part’s mostly true. What comes next isn’t even close.
“Uh…Lux Systems.” There’s only a slim chance she knows anyone there. The utility giant’s known for its brutal culture and cutthroat interviews. Most people avoid it.
“Oh, okay!” Lian shrugs. “So what’s with all the secrecy? Is it because you two aren’t official yet? Or did you just keep it from me in particular?”
He shakes his head. “No, not just you. I promise. I haven’t even told my sister or my parents yet.” Rafael fiddles with the edge of his desk, stalling for something believable.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what we were to each other, and part of me still doesn’t know. But now…well, because…he’s not from around here.” Rafael hesitates but eventually commits. “He’s from…the Emerald Isles!”
The lie is almost perfect. The city’s far enough to sound plausible, but no one in their circle would ever go there unless they’re willing to spend thousands on a high-speed HOV ticket or brave a journey through the Rust Valley.
She raises a brow. “Emerald Isles? Well, I guess that explains your V-link date.” Lian gestures at the headset. “But why was he here in Nova City?”
Rafael shrugs, trying to seem casual. “He—he was visiting Nova City on a business trip. Something with Lux System’s local division.”
Lian’s eyes widen. “Ooh, fancy! He sounds important.”
A blush creeps into his cheeks. Kane is important, only not in the way she thinks.
“So…when do I get to meet this mystery man? And are you going to tell Gavin and Divya soon? Cause if you don’t, you know I will.”
“Yes, tomorrow at lunch. I’ll let them know.”
Thankfully, she’s not close with his parents, so no risk of anything reaching them. But once she knows, his friends will find out fast. He might as well give them the news himself. Hopefully, Kane won’t mind the alternate story.
Rafael wishes he could be honest and share the real Kane with her—a man from the streets of Shreveport who rose to become a leader and protector. But for now, Kane of the Emerald Isles and Lux Systems will have to do.
A ping slices through the room. He stiffens, relaxing only when Lian swipes her wristlink.
“Ugh, I’ve gotta go.” She stands. “But hey, I’m glad you told me, Rafael. I’m really happy for you. I just wish you’d told me sooner.”
Though he smiles, guilt tugs at him.
“And I hope you’ll be happy for me too. That chrome-dacious enforcer finally asked me on a date!”
“Of course, Lian!” Rafael cheers. “That’s fantastic news! I’m happy for you, too.” Even if her track record with relationships isn’t the best.
With a wave and a grin, Lian heads for the door, only to pop her head back in. “Wait—you never told me!” She gasps. “What’s this mystery guy’s name?”
Rafael’s pulse spikes.
According to Echo, only the NCPD or folks from the Outer Districts know who the Chrome Baron is. But Lian dates cops sometimes. And tonight she’s seeing a VitaCorp enforcer. Still, with eight million residents in Nova City, there have to be other guys named—
“Kane,” he breathes.
“Kane?” Lian’s brow raises. His heart skips a beat.
Her face lights up. “Cute! I bet he has red hair!” She flashes a smile before bouncing back out.
The door hisses shut. Rafael exhales slowly, slumping against his chair. But the relief quickly fades as dread settles in his gut.
Tonight, their friends will want details, and sooner or later, his parents will find out too. Maria, Lian—everyone will want to meet him.
A shiver runs down his spine.
How long before someone sees through the lies? How long before Rafael has to choose between his life here in Midtown and what he has with Kane?
He runs a hand through his hair, trying to shake the thought. Lian doesn’t know who Kane really is or the real truth about how they met. So far, his story is safe. For now.
Rafael sets his V-link headset back on. Kane’s username in his contact menu is dark, the offline status pulsing. A swipe through the air brings up a translucent keyboard in his overlay, syncing instantly with his wristlink. He types out a quick message—an explanation and apology—and taps send.
Then he waits.