"He has his heart set on it, trust me."

~•~

Haydée sat on the bed in her old room at her parents' house, pulling her knees to her chest and crying uncontrollably. Her shoulders shook as if her body couldn't bear the weight of all the emotions flooding her. Soft sobs echoed in the small room, where every corner was filled with memories—memories of childhood, of times when everything wasn't so complicated.

When she lifted her head and looked around, her eyes fell on old photographs on the walls. They were snapshots from childhood—she and Arthur standing next to each other, both with smiles from ear to ear, completely carefree. She couldn't believe that the boy who shared so many memories with her was now the source of her confusion and pain.

One of the first memories that came to mind was from when she was about eight years old. She and Arthur were at the beach near their home, building a huge sandcastle. Arthur was always the more creative one of the two, with a clear vision of how the castle should look. Haydée watched him as he carefully shaped the sand, creating battlements and small towers. When she tried to join in, Arthur stopped her and said, "It has to be perfect!"

She had frowned at him then, not wanting anyone to tell her how to do things. But in the end, they laughed when the castle collapsed under the waves. At that moment, it didn't matter who was right; laughter was more important.

Another memory took her back to their teenage years, a time when their relationship was full of restless excitement and innocent dreams. It was before they started arguing over every little thing, before their interactions turned into constant clashes and reproaches.

The memory transported her to an afternoon in the woods behind their houses. It was a warm, sunny summer afternoon. The nature around them was serene, with the gentle rustling of leaves and the singing of birds. They discovered a small stream, its water gently flowing over smooth stones and creating a little pond that sparkled in the sunlight like diamonds. Arthur, with his usual enthusiasm and planning, declared it would be great to build a bridge across it from branches and stones.

"Look at the stream," Arthur said with shining eyes. "What if we build a bridge? It will be amazing!"

Haydée looked at him and smiled. Even though it wasn't her first choice, she was always willing to join in his adventures. "That sounds like fun," she agreed and followed him.

They spent the whole afternoon working together. They built a bridge from branches and stones, their efforts filled with cheer and laughter. Haydée remembered how Arthur constantly adjusted and improved their makeshift structure, occasionally adding more branches or moving stones to make it look perfect. Their joint effort brought them closer and brought joy to their simple but beautiful project.

When the bridge was finally finished, they proudly stepped onto it. It was a celebration of their hard work and creativity. But as soon as they stood on it, the bridge collapsed under their weight. They both fell into the water, which immediately soaked them from head to toe. They laughed like crazy, their laughter blending with the gentle murmuring of the stream and the sounds of nature.

Arthur looked at Haydée with that radiant smile that always seemed so natural to her. "That was fun!" he said enthusiastically while trying to get out of the water and climb back onto the shore. "Who needs dry feet when we're having such a great day?"

Haydée laughed too, her heart filled with joy and a sense of closeness. "You're right," she replied with a smile. "This is one of those moments I'll never forget."

Even as her memories gradually became part of the past, this moment with Arthur remained in her heart as a testament to how strong and pure their relationship was in the beginning. And although things had changed and their relationship was now full of complications, this moment remained as a reminder of how it all started—with enthusiasm, adventure, and mutual support.

A third memory transported Haydée back to a cold, rainy day when a storm raged outside. A month of rain and thunder had turned the city into a gray landscape, while inside, in the cozy room, there was warmth and safety. They were still children, but that day the world seemed like a place of endless possibilities.

Haydée and Arthur were sitting on the floor of her room, surrounded by toys and books that made up their own little kingdom. The room was full of colors and memories, and although it was small, its space felt vast in their eyes. While the storm raged noisily outside, their own little world was filled with adventure and fantasy.

Arthur, as was his custom, told captivating stories about dragons living in dark mountains and mysterious treasures hidden deep underground. His voice was full of enthusiasm, and his eyes lit up with every new detail he added to his tales. Haydée, sitting across from him, listened intently to every word.

"One day, we'll go find that treasure," Arthur declared seriously, as if it were the most important thing in the world. "And no one will stop us."

Haydée smiled, her eyes bright with the hope Arthur infused into his stories. "Do you really think we could find the treasure?" she asked with confidence and excitement.

"Of course," Arthur replied confidently. "If we work as a team, nothing can stop us. Together, we have the power to change everything."

They began to create plans for their imaginary adventure, drawing maps on paper and building walls from pillows and blankets. Their room became their kingdom, and in those moments when they were completely immersed in their stories, it seemed like the entire world was in their hands. Haydée felt like she was part of something bigger, something magical that was uniquely theirs. Arthur's creativity and boundless imagination gave her courage and joy.

After a few hours of playing, the storm outside began to calm down. The raindrops stopped drumming on the windows, and the thunder became only distant echoes. Arthur and Haydée, still sitting on the floor, laughed and planned their next adventure.

"One day, we really will go treasure hunting," Arthur said with a smile so genuine that Haydée had no doubt it would happen. "And when we do, it will be the most amazing day of our lives."

"Yes," Haydée agreed with eyes full of excitement. "We'll be a team that never fails. We'll have adventures that will be talked about all over the country."

These memories were like golden moments of Haydée's childhood, moments that shaped her perception of the world and her relationship with Arthur. The day they hid from the storm and created their own world remained in her memory as a symbol of hope and pure joy. Even though they had changed over time and their lives had taken different directions, these memories reminded her of the beauty and strength of their childhood and how they were able to dream of endless possibilities together.

Now, as she remembered, all those moments brought her pain. Arthur had always been a part of her life; their friendship was strong and deep. But now everything was different. Her confusion and anger towards him because of that kiss still stabbed at her heart. Despite being upset with him, she knew it wasn't entirely his fault. If she were honest with herself, she would have to admit that the kiss hadn't changed everything—it had rather revealed what should have happened a long time ago.

Things with Hugo had never been easy, at least not in the last few months. They had been together for three years, but the last year had been just a shadow of what it once was. She had long felt that their relationship was heading towards its end, but she couldn't come to terms with it. She clung to what she knew because she was afraid of being alone. She was afraid of what would come after the breakup. And when Hugo left, it felt as though her world had crumbled. But now, as she thought about it, she began to realize that her anger wasn't directed at Arthur. She was angry because she saw Hugo so broken and sad, and that pain had become her own.

Haydée knew Hugo was right. He had long sensed that she wasn't happy. Maybe she had suppressed it, maybe she had tried to avoid it, but their relationship was in ruins even before Arthur came into it. The kiss with Arthur was just the last straw, but it didn't mean it was the cause of their breakup.

She wiped her tears, but she knew it would take a while to sort everything out. It wasn't easy to admit that her relationship with Hugo had actually been dead for a long time. She had loved him once, but in the last months, they had only been surviving together. They both tried to hold onto something that no longer existed. It was hard, but it was the truth.

As she thought again about Arthur, she realized that her anger stemmed from something else. It wasn't about him personally, but about what that kiss represented. She forced herself to confront the truth about her relationship with Hugo, a truth she had tried so hard to ignore. And now, with everything coming to the surface, there was only pain left, but also the possibility of starting anew. She knew it scared her, but she also knew that this was the path she had to walk to find herself again.

She sat there in the room full of childhood memories and times when everything was simpler. Her tears slowly subsided, and she realized that what had happened was inevitable. Maybe she was hurt and confused, but she knew it was for the best.

Haydée sat on her bed, her eyes red from crying, and she still couldn't shake off the heaviness that gripped her chest. After a moment of thought, she decided to call Charles. She needed to talk to him; she needed to know what happened after she left his apartment. She picked up the phone and slowly dialed his number. She hesitated for a moment before pressing the green button to actually call him.

"Hi," she said softly, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I... I had to leave. It was too much for me."

Charles sighed. "I understand, it was tense. We all felt something was going to happen. What's going on? Do you want to talk about it?"

Haydée sighed deeply. "What happened after I left? Did everyone stay there?" She needed to know. She needed to know she hadn't ruined the party. She needed to know she hadn't destroyed the joy others were feeling.

Charles was silent for a moment before answering. "No, everyone left almost right after you did. There was a weird atmosphere; no one knew what to do, so they gradually disappeared. No one knew how to handle it all." That was what she had feared. She was responsible. She had ruined the party.

Haydée nodded, even though she knew Charles couldn't see her. "And Arthur?" she asked cautiously. "Did he stay?"

Charles sighed again, his voice sounding sad. "No, he left right after you. I think... well, he was in pretty bad shape. I saw him leave, and...," Charles paused for a moment, as if hesitating whether to continue. "I think he was crying, Haydée. He had red eyes when he left. He tried to hide it, but I know him. He must have been really hurt."

This information hit Haydée. She couldn't imagine Arthur crying. He had always been the one who acted like he could handle everything, like nothing could bring him down. But now... now she realized how deeply it had affected him.

"This is all so complicated," Haydée whispered into the phone. "I don't know what to do. I'm angry at him, Charles, but I also realize that he might be right. Things with Hugo didn't work out, but I still don't know how to deal with it all. And he..."

"He loves you," Charles interrupted gently but firmly. "Haydée, Arthur has loved you for years. I know it's not easy, but his feelings for you are real. It's not just a passing thing. He has his heart set on it, trust me. I know my brother. He wouldn't have done this if he wasn't sure."

The words echoed in her mind. Arthur had loved her for years. It wasn't new information, but hearing it so directly from Charles made her think more deeply. She felt she could no longer just ignore his feelings or pretend that what happened between them was a misunderstanding. The kiss, the argument, the breakup with Hugo—everything made sense, even if she wasn't ready to fully accept it yet.

"I know he feels that way. He told me that a few days ago," she finally said softly. "But right now, I feel so lost, Charles. It was hard with Hugo, but this is something completely different. And I'm afraid I'll make a decision that I'll regret. I'm scared that if I do anything, I'll hurt either Arthur or myself."

Charles was silent on the other end, as if he was taking time to consider his response. "What you're going through now isn't easy," he finally said calmly. "But you know what, Haydée? Sometimes we need to give ourselves time to make the right decision. No one expects you to know right now what you want. But I think Arthur is ready to wait if it means he'll have a chance to be with you. And you know what you feel yourself. Maybe you don't know exactly right now, but in time it will become clear."

Haydée closed her eyes and thought about Charles's words. He was right—she needed time. She wanted to give herself space to figure out what she really wanted. She was still hurt from the breakup with Hugo, but she also felt that her anger towards Arthur wasn't as intense anymore. Maybe she had just transferred her pain onto him because it was easier than facing the reality that she and Hugo had long ago lost their future.

"Thank you, Charles," she said finally. "I... I think I need to take some time. I'm at my parents' house, and I'll stay here for a while to think everything through."

"That's good," Charles replied gently. "I think you need that. And if you need anything, you always have me and Alex. We're here for you."

Haydée smiled, even though it still hurt. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Charles laughed, but his laughter was friendly and reassuring. "Without us? You'd manage, you're a strong girl, Haydée. Just give yourself time and figure everything out."

The conversation with Charles brought her some relief. Although the situation remained complicated, she knew she wasn't alone in it. Charles always understood her and knew just what to say to comfort her. After the call ended, she lay back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Thoughts of Arthur still ran through her mind. He had his heart set on it.

Charles was right—Arthur had loved her for a long time, but now it was up to her to decide what to do with those feelings. On one hand, she was afraid that trying to be with him could ruin their long-standing friendship. But on the other hand, she realized that she wouldn't be happy with Hugo anyway, and Arthur always understood her in a way that no one else could.

She closed her eyes and tried to calm her breathing. She knew she had to give both herself and Arthur time. Maybe not everything was lost, but she needed to find out what she truly felt and how to deal with it.

~•~