The night was cold, silent.
Klaus walked alone, hands in his pockets, head bowed.
Each step resonated on the wet cobblestones, like an echo of his own guilt.
Gale's face haunted his thoughts—that precise moment when the blade had pierced his flesh, when his eyes had widened in pain.
> "Scabies...why?" Why did you stand in my way? »
Klaus clenched his fists. His heart weighed heavy, filled with regret and shame. He inhaled deeply, hoping the icy air would chase away the torment, but nothing did.
In the distance, a light danced on a sign: The Moonlight Bar.
He stopped for a moment, hesitating. Then he whispered:
— Just a drink… to forget a little.
As he entered, he was struck by the atmosphere: the music was in full swing, the laughter was bursting out, the glasses were clinking under the colored lights. Couples danced, others kissed, and a few loners drowned their sadness in alcohol.
Klaus sat down at the counter.
— A strong drink, the most powerful thing you have.
The bartender, a bald man with a kind look, hesitated when he saw her troubled expression.
—Are you sure? You look... like you need rest rather than alcohol.
"Just give me the glass," Klaus whispered without looking up.
The man obeyed in silence.
Not far away, two young women were observing him.
One, a brunette with wild curls, said:
— Wow… this guy is hot.
His companion, a soft-spoken blonde, raised an amused eyebrow.
— I confirm… but isn't he a little young for you, Lena?
—And so, Mila? laughed the brunette. If you want to skip your turn, I'll take it.
"I say that, I say nothing, but be careful," replied Mila.
— Oh, relax! It's our last week here before we go back, I just want to have a little fun. Watch and learn.
Lena stood up, straightened her dress and walked confidently towards Klaus, her hips swaying slightly under the purple lights of the bar.
"Good evening," she said in a honeyed voice.
Klaus didn't even turn his head.
—…
"I said good evening," she insisted, a little piqued.
This time he looked at her—a cold, distant, almost icy look.
—What do you want?
She stammered, confused:
— I just… wanted to get to know each other.
Klaus gave a bitter smile.
— Get to know each other? No. You just want a toy for the evening. A hobby before your morning train.
—I…
— You know what? Go look elsewhere if I'm there.
Lena, red with shame and anger, turned on her heel and returned to her table.
Mila watched her return, amused.
SO ? asked Mila, amused.
— He's arrogant! Rude! And… unbearable!
"So you took a hit," Mila concluded, holding back a giggle.
Lena, upset, ordered another drink.
---
Chapter 2 — The Meeting of Forgiveness
At this moment, a familiar voice greeted them.
— Hello girls!
Mila turned around, delighted.
—Katrina! Finally ! We thought you wouldn't come.
The woman, elegant in a beige jacket, sat down with a shy smile.
— Honestly, I didn't really want to go out…
"Don't tell me it's still because of your argument with your daughter," Mila intervened, raising an eyebrow.
Katrina sighed.
— Maybe a little, yes. I was afraid that she would still blame me for certain things... so I preferred to give her space. We'll talk when I get home.
"If you say so," Mila said, skeptically.
Katrina turned her head towards Lena, silent since her return.
—And you, Lena? Are you making a face?
"Oh, don't worry," Mila replied before her. It's just his pride that took a hit!
— My pride is doing very well! Lena grumbled, annoyed.
Katrina laughed softly.
—I would like to know why.
Mila pointed to Klaus at the counter.
— Because Mr. over there gave him a brutal refusal.
Katrina followed with her gaze and her expression changed.
"Hey… he looks familiar to me.
— Do you know him?
— He looks like a friend of my daughter. A certain Gale.
— Well, if he's her friend, I advise you to keep him away from her! Lena replied, still stung. He is cold as ice and arrogant...
Katrina frowned slightly.
— Scabies? No, he's the complete opposite... Well, I'm going to check something.
"Good luck," Mila said with an ironic wink.
Katrina approached the counter and gently placed a hand on Klaus' shoulder.
— Scabies?
Klaus turned around abruptly. His green eyes met hers.
"Oh…I'm sorry," she whispered. I confused you with a young man, my daughter's friend. You look a lot like him — same hair, same features... except his eyes are blue.
Klaus lowered his head, and his face closed.
Seeing his distress, Katrina sat next to him, gently placing her hand on his back.
- Are you doing well ?
He remained silent for a moment. Then, in a hoarse voice:
—I… made a serious mistake.
She didn't answer, waiting for what happened next.
—The young man you're talking about... he's my brother.
— Gale is your brother?! she said, stunned.
— My twin brother, yes. This is why we are so similar.
Katrina nodded slowly.
—And what happened?
Klaus hesitated, his eyes misty.
"I...did something...that hurt him. Seriously.
His voice cracked. He bowed his head, crying silently.
Katrina placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to tell me what. But if you want to move forward, you must first forgive yourself.
Klaus looked up in despair.
—How can I forgive myself for hurting my own brother? He was always there for me... he always protected me, even at the cost of his life!
Katrina smiled sweetly.
—Then remember that. You say he loves you more than anything. And I believe that in his heart, he has already forgiven you.
He looked at her, surprised.
—How can you be so sure?
— Because I heard my daughter talking about him once with her friend Marlie. Gale said he had a friend… a "fool," I quote, who was always doing stupid things, and who he had to fix every time.
Klaus lowered his head, ashamed.
Katrina continued, with a tender smile:
— And yet, he also said that, despite everything, nothing could change how he felt about himself.
Klaus's eyes misted again.
"Do you really think he forgave me?"
- Yes. But you too must change. Be the one your brother would think would be able to get back up.
Klaus gave a shaky smile and placed his hand on hers.
—Thank you...
"You're welcome," she replied kindly.
Behind them, Lena, arms crossed, grumbled:
— Seriously? He rejects me and she has the right to stroke his back?!
Mila burst out laughing.
"It's bad luck, my dear. Apparently you lost your charm tonight!
Lena rolled her eyes.
— Very funny, Mila. Very funny.