[Italy, Milan - Navigli District]
"...Even in spring, it's still cold." I shivered, pulling my jacket tighter against the breezy winds. I had just taken an Uber from the mercenary base to the Navigli District.
The beautiful view of the flowing river brought back memories of my time studying in Italy while aspiring to be an author.
I had read a lot about the history of this area. These canals, built in the 12th century, were once the lifeblood of Milan's trade, connecting the city to major rivers and lakes.
Leonardo da Vinci himself supposedly had a hand in designing some of the canal systems.
It was hard to imagine that now, with the trendy bars and restaurants lining the waterfront. The history remained, but the place had certainly evolved.
As I walked down the canal, I spotted Jan and Camila sharing a hot drink at a cafe.
"Jaaan, can't we have another before we meet up with everyone else?" Camila clung to Jan's arm.
"You know we can't, Cami. You promised we'd head there after this." He tried to pull away, but she wouldn't budge.
This wasn't the time for their new-couple antics. They were blocking the pathway to the cafe where we were supposed to meet.
"Are you two done?" I intervened trying to hold in my smirk.
"AH!"
Both Camila and Jan jumped apart in surprise.
It was clear they hadn't wanted me to discover their relationship. How typical.
Camila was flooding red, and Jan looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"Rel, it's you!" Jan stammered, clearly searching for an excuse. I simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.
"Yeah, I know. I am me."
"Well, what are you doing here? Everyone's on the other side."
"This pathway is shorter and less cramped, the bridge is also just a few meters ahead."
"I see—"
GRAB!
"Sorry, Rel! I just got a call that we need to head there now, Please forget everything you saw!" Camila still red-faced, grabbed Jan and took off.
Heh serves them right.
Suckers...
**
[Italy, Milan - Navigli District - Viavagano Cafe]
"Oh, Camila, there you are! Everyone's arriving soon,"
Lyra said, taking a seat across from her friend.
"Hey! We've got people coming! It's reserved!" she said confidently.
"Pffft... Haha!" The thugs bursted out laughing.
"Reserved?" one sneered. "We don't care about no reservations. We're here, and we want this table. Now scram."
"You think we're just gonna listen to you because you said so? Well, we're not!"
"You heard her," Camila added. "This table is reserved. Find another one."
The men laughed again and inched closer to Lyra, trying to isolate her.
"And what are you gonna do about it, little girl?"
As Camila sensed Lyra was about to be grabbed, Camila extended her hand, ready to cast a spell.
But before she could, a waiter rushed over, halting the thugs.
"Please, ladies, don't cause any trouble," he pleaded.
"These men... they're not worth it. We can get you another table."
Relieved, Camila sighed. If they could get another table, it probably wasn't worth the fight.
"Lyra, let's just go. It's not worth it."
Lyra hesitated because she knew getting another table in a full cafe meant waiting.
She turned around, and the leader grinned cruelly.
"Yeah, listen to your friend," he mocked. "Run along and play nice. This is our table now."
"You... you think you can just walk in here and take what you want?" She turned to give him one last look before moving out of the way.
The man's grin widened. "That's exactly what we're doing."
That was until then her patience finally snapped.
"Have what you want, you disgusting pig!"
"What did you say to me?"
He raised his hand, and Lyra realised she was going to get hit.
She raised her arms to block. But it never landed.
DUN!
"You bastards... what do you think you're doing?"
A figure appeared out of thin air, blocking the thug's path.
Lyra's eyes widened as she lowered her guard.
She didn't recognise who this person was at all.
All she could see was the back of him and his short black hair.