Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

Twilight settled over the Neapolitan estate, painting its stone walls in deep shades of pink and violet. Luka, tired after a long day, stepped out of his black BMW, leaving the music playing softly from the car. He closed the door with his foot, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket with one hand, lit one, and took a slow, deep drag. The air was filled with the scent of the sea, dust, and smoke. Luka walked slowly toward the entrance of the estate, thoughtful and silent, when a familiar voice rang out behind him: — You still haven’t quit that habit? He froze abruptly. The cigarette slipped from his fingers and fell onto the stone porch. Luka stood still, as if struck in the chest. — No… — he whispered, not turning around. — This can’t be… He slowly turned. A few meters behind him, in the shadows, stood Sofia. Dressed in a black coat and dark pants, with a cap barely hiding her familiar features. — Sofia… — his voice trembled. — Hi, Luka, — she said softly, smiling. — Surprise. But she didn’t get to say more. Overcome with emotion, Luka rushed to her and hugged her tightly, as if afraid she would vanish again, dissolving like a phantom. — You idiot, — he whispered into her hair, his voice shaking. — You damn idiot… Sofia froze for a moment, then hugged him back silently. Her eyes moistened, but she held back tears. — I missed you, — Luka muttered. — Never do that again, you hear me? Never. — Honestly… I missed you too, — she replied softly. — But I had to disappear. I couldn’t leave everything as it was and survive. He stepped back slightly, staring at her as if he still couldn’t believe she was real. — Damn it, Sofia. Do you know how many nights I didn’t sleep over your “death”? How many times Javier and I went over every detail? And you… — I had no choice, — she interrupted gently. — They were going to kill me. Lorenzo saved me. But I couldn’t risk it, so I stayed silent. Only my parents… and him knew. A silence fell. Luka looked at her for another minute, then exhaled heavily and lit another cigarette. — Well then, — he muttered, — the ghosts are back, huh? — This time — not a ghost. This time I’ve returned to change something. — And Javier? Sofia lowered her eyes. — We’ll talk about him later. Luka nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. — Then come in, ghost of my past. We have a lot to discuss. She silently followed him inside, leaving behind only the evening air, thick with smoke and echoes of dead names. --- Inside the estate, a cozy silence reigned. Warm tones of the wooden panels and soft lamp light created an atmosphere sharply contrasting with the storm of emotions that had just raged outside. Luka hung his coat on a rack and gestured for Sofia to enter the living room. — Sit, — he said, opening a cabinet with bottles. — On a night like this, we can’t do without wine. — What do you suggest? — she asked with a smile, settling on the soft leather couch. — The same we drank last time… before you “died,” — he replied with irony, pulling out a bottle of Tuscan red. Sofia exhaled. — I honestly didn’t know if I’d ever be able to come back. Luka poured the glasses and handed one to her. — And yet, here you are. Sitting in front of me. Alive. Not a ghost. — Not a ghost, — she smiled, clinking her glass lightly against his. — But, honestly, I feel like a shadow of myself. — You’ll have to learn to be yourself again. But first… tell me: why now? Why decide to show up? Sofia thoughtfully rotated her glass in her hands. — Because I can’t hide anymore. Because it’s time to be myself again. Because there are still debts to settle. — And that’s why you came to me? — Because I trust you. And… you’re my best friend. Luka smiled. — Then it’s good that you’re back, Sofia. And this time… we’ll do everything right. He watched her closely as she picked up her glass again but didn’t drink — just swirled the wine, staring into the dark liquid as if searching for answers. — There’s one more thing, Luka, — she finally spoke softly. — I want to tell Javier. I want him to know I’m alive. Luka leaned forward slightly, holding his glass on his knee. — And what’s holding you back? — I don’t know how to do it. How to tell him? He saw that “death,” he believed in it… I saw how it broke him. And now I just appear and say, “Hi, it’s me”? — Well, if you plan to start with a “surprise,” like today, I wouldn’t recommend it, — Luka said with a playful smile. — But seriously… you have to be ready that he might not forgive immediately. Or not believe. Sofia nodded, her eyes darkening with tension. — But I have to. I can’t live knowing he’s still suffering. That he still thinks he couldn’t save me. — Then maybe it’s worth doing it in person? — Luka suggested gently. — Not a call, not a message. Look him in the eyes and let him decide what comes next himself. Sofia looked at him. — And if I break him a second time? If this truth is even worse than the lie? — That’s no longer your decision, Sofia, — Luka said quietly. — If you lov e him, trust him with the choice. Sofia was silent, then whispered barely audibly: — I love him so much…