**Chapter 12: The Morning After**

The sunlight streaming through the window was a harsh wake-up call, piercing through the haze of the previous night's events. Pam groggily opened her eyes, her mind still reeling from the conversation she had with Luka. She had been trying to push the thoughts aside, but they lingered, refusing to be silenced. Luka's words, "I'll tell you, but not tonight, okay? Let's just get some sleep, and we'll talk about it in the morning," echoed in her mind, and she knew she had to get some answers. As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, she noticed that Luka was already up and getting dressed. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to her, and Pam couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What was he thinking? And what was he hiding? "Morning," he said, his voice low and husky, as he sensed her gaze on him. Pam smiled, trying to shake off the lingering doubts. "Morning," she replied, her voice soft. Luka turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers. "We need to talk," he said, his voice serious. Pam nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She had been waiting for this moment, and she was determined to get some answers. As they sat down on the couch, Luka took a deep breath before speaking. "Sophia and I... we have a history," he said, his voice measured. "We grew up together, in the same neighborhood. We were friends, or at least, I thought we were." Pam's ears perked up, her interest piqued. "What happened?" she asked, her voice gentle. Luka's eyes clouded over, and for a moment, Pam thought she saw a flash of pain. "Sophia's family... they were involved in some shady dealings," he said, his voice tight. "I was young, and I didn't know any better. I got caught up in it, and... and I made some mistakes." Pam's eyes widened, her mind racing with questions. What kind of mistakes? And what did Sophia have to do with it? Luka's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Pam thought she saw a glimmer of vulnerability. "I was in deep, Pam," he said, his voice low. "I owed people, and I didn't know how to get out. Sophia... she helped me, or at least, she said she did." Pam's confusion deepened. What did Luka mean? And what did Sophia have to do with it? Just then, Pam's phone rang, shrill and insistent. She hesitated for a moment before answering it. "Hello?" she said, her voice tentative. "Hey, Pam," Sophia's voice said, her tone bright and cheerful. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing." Pam's eyes locked onto Luka's, and she felt a surge of tension. What did Sophia want? And why was she calling now? "I'm doing okay," Pam replied, her voice neutral. "Luka and I were just... uh... discussing some things." Sophia's laughter was like a knife to Pam's heart. "Oh, I'm sure you were," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to remind you that I'm always here for you, Pam. And don't forget... we're not done yet." The line went dead, and Pam was left staring at her phone, her mind reeling with questions. What did Sophia mean? And what was she hiding? As she turned to Luka, she knew that she had to get to the bottom of things. The truth was out there, and she was determined to find it.