Extra Scene, Act 1, Chapter 9 (Omar’s POV)

It was supposed to be just fun.

Just a silly, insignificant fling between two adults to blow off some steam from all the stress destiny had thrown at them. For Omar, that’s exactly what it was, and he thought MC was on the same page.

Until now.

Omar stays silent for a few moments, his brain taking its sweet time to process what MC just said. His mind blames the drink he had earlier, but that's a cheap excuse since he hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in a month and a half—a new record he's proud of and still improving.

No, the reason is something else.

I want more than just fun with you, Omar.

MC’s words echo in his mind. More than just fun? Omar wonders what more he could offer beyond that. But the way MC looks at him… that tenderness, vulnerability, affection.

Omar knows. And as he connects the dots, he instinctively pulls away to put a considerable distance between them.

"Oh," he says initially, the playfulness and excitement evaporating as his expression crumbles along with his posture. "Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"I... I had no idea. Since when?" Omar asks, nervously rubbing his neck. His voice is almost a plea for understanding. A part of him waits for MC to laugh and say, 'Fooled you!'

But that moment doesn't come.

"Does it even matter?" MC eventually replies.

“Not you, sweetie. Please, tell me I’m not going to hurt you of all people.”

But he already has, and Omar knows it. He’s already hurt one of the most important people in his life, and if he hadn’t been so selfish, he would have realized it sooner.

"This will be the last time I hurt you, MC, I promise," he tells himself, though a sliver of uncertainty eclipses his initial determination. "I just hope you can forgive me."

Of all the promises Omar has made to himself, this is the one he most wants to keep. And the one he’s not so sure he can achieve.

Omar looks into MC’s eyes—those eyes that deserve to shine with joy every second of their life and not suffer because of someone like him—and he tells them the truth. A truth that hurts Omar as much as it hurts MC.

Or is he being selfish again?

The only thing Omar can think about, aside from all the reproaches he’s throwing at himself, is how good a drink would be after this.

“Fuck the record.”