19. Who is Luka?

Alec looked at his phone, no reply. They had planned to meet on Sunday, but Alec couldn't reach Tristan. His phone remained stubbornly silent despite his repeated calls and texts. Alec brushed his hair back, his short fingernails scratching his scalp. This was one of many times when he wished to know where Tristan lived. 

Shaking his head, Alec tried to reassure himself, 'Tristan has his reasons, I'm sure... He'll open up eventually. He'll let me-'

Alec's gaze drifted back to his phone as it buzzed in his hand - one new message. He sighed and opened it.

Alec, I'm so so sorry. I forgot today is our first meet-up for the group project. I can send you the address of the cafe we're in... if you don't mind waiting. - Tristan.

Alec sighed, the message mocking him from the screen. He typed a curt reply, 'Sure.'

As he drove to the cafe, his grip on the steering wheel remained firm, leaving his knuckles white. His turns were sharper than usual. Before entering the sweet-looking cafe, he double-checked the location. Inside, his eyes immediately searched for Tristan.

Tristan sat in a booth surrounded by faces Alec couldn't recognize. 

Alec hesitated. He didn't want to disrupt the group, but curiosity gnawed at him. He slid into the booth behind them, close enough to hear snippets of their conversation. He resisted the urge to eavesdrop... well, mostly.

The rhythmic tap of his finger betrayed his calm outlook.

A young waitress approached him, mistaking his repetitive tapping on the table as impatience, ready to take his order.

"Tristan, dear-" Alec's ears caught before the waitress' sweetly spoken words interrupted.

Tristan used to be painfully shy, a fact that once annoyed Alec. Now, seeing Tristan surrounded by new people, a different form of annoyance bubbled up.

"May I take your order, sir?" Her working attire was like a second skin to her. Her neatly done hair and the visible effort she put into her makeup hinted that she strived for a big tip in this poorly paid job.

Alec glared at her. 

"Just waiting for a friend," Alec muttered, shoving the menu away. He shifted, sitting closer, back firmly pressed on the backrest as he tried to catch the voice that called Tristan so fondly.

A practiced smile remained plastered on the waitress' face. "It's our policy, sir. Something small, perhaps?"

Alec gritted his teeth. "Black coffee. Strong."

Lost in his new group of friends, Tristan failed to notice Alec's arrival and his presence just a booth behind them. 

"Jasmine, dear-" Luka began, only to be interrupted by a sudden slap on his cheek. The group erupted in laughter as Luka held his cheek with a hurt expression. 

"Luka, you can't just call everyone 'dear,'" the other girl said as she tried to suppress her laughter. "I mean, who is gonna take you seriously?"

"I can't help it, guys. You're all dear to me," Luka whined, triggering another round of laughter from the group.

Soon enough, they arranged roles for the project, and after chit-chatting for a while longer, the two girls stood up.

"Sorry for leaving so early, guys."

"No worries, just send your part on time," Tristan smiled.

"And don't be scared to reach out, darlings," Luka winked at them before they left, all bubbly.

Luka turned to Tristan with a grin. "So, I guess we're doing the research together."

Kristina felt at ease in his presence. He didn't know Alec or Tristan. She caught her personality slipping out. And rightfully so - this was the first time since her transmigration that she could let go of her pretense, her charade.

Tristan smiled back. 

Alec looked at his empty cup stained by the black coffee. Hearing the laughter and lighthearted conversation felt like a cold slap. He couldn't remember the last time they-

"Darling," Alec heard this fondness once more and stood up.

With a calm demeanor, he walked over to the booth where Tristan and Luka sat.

"Hey, Tristan," Alec greeted with a smile as he sat beside Tristan.

Tristan's carefree smile faded. "How long did you wait?"

Luka's eyes ticked back and forth between the two, sensing the tension.

"Just a minute," Alec replied, his finger twitching slightly. In reality, it had been over an hour.

"And who is-" Luka and Alec ask in beat, their voices overlapping.

"Jinx," Luka smirked, extending his hand politely. "I'm Luka."

"Alec," Alec responded curtly, his hand remaining folded on his chest.

Before this dry conversation could continue, Luka's phone rang. He didn't address the other party 'dear' in any way. His expression froze in unexpected coldness. When he hung up, his smile returned.

"I need to go now, dear," Luka hugged Tristan like it was natural. Alec frowned as Luka left in a hurry. His eyes followed this strange man.