Pavel turned his gaze to Pooh, whose expression had instantly become colder and more withdrawn, as if he had been anticipating this visit. A few moments later, Pavel's mother returned to the kitchen, a slightly worried look on her face. 

"Pooh, there are two gentlemen in suits asking for you. They say it's important," she announced, casting an uncertain glance at her son, unsure of what to make of this unusual situation. 

Pooh took a deep breath, his face impassive but his eyes hard, showing that he was not particularly pleased with this visit. He stood up slowly, glancing apologetically at Pavel before murmuring, “I’ll see what they want.”

Pavel, suddenly worried, stood up as well, determined not to leave Pooh to face this alone. “I’m coming with you,” he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for objection.

Pooh hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Together, they made their way to the entrance, where the two men were waiting, their strict expressions contrasting with the warmth of Pavel’s house. As soon as they caught sight of Pooh, they exchanged a brief glance, as if confirming something between them.

“Mister Pooh,” one of the men began in a respectful but firm voice, “we have been sent to escort you to the family residence. There are urgent matters to attend to.” » 

Pavel felt the tension in the air, and a thousand questions ran through his mind, but he remained silent, waiting to see how Pooh would react. Pooh, although visibly upset, remained calm, his gaze hardening a little more. 

“I told you,” he replied in a low, but controlled voice, “I’m busy with friends and I don’t plan on going back for now.” 

The two men exchanged another look, before answering, their tone becoming more insistent: “Your father insists. He’s waiting for you.”

Pooh clenched his fists, a defiant glint in his eyes. Pavel, beside him, understood that something serious was at stake here, an aspect of Pooh’s life he had not yet discovered, but which seemed to weigh heavily on him. 

The underlying threat in their words was a silent slap, slipping through the air like a warning. ‘If you persist in not wanting to resolve this situation, it is those around you who will suffer,’ one of the men added, staring intently at Pooh. Pavel then saw Pooh’s face harden, his gaze changing from annoyance to dark resignation. He understood the implication clearly, and he knew he had no choice. 

Pooh took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, before turning his attention to Pavel’s mother and Pavel himself, an apologetic glint in his eyes. He gave a polite smile to Pavel's mother, who was watching the scene with a mixture of concern and confusion. "Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am, and I'm sorry to leave like this, with so much worry and incomprehension." He said in a soft voice. 

She nodded, kindly but still perplexed, while Pavel stared at Pooh, fighting against a rising worry. He knew he couldn't hold Pooh back, but he didn't want to let him go like this, carried away by these men who seemed to have a hold on him. 

Before leaving, Pooh placed a reassuring hand on Pavel's shoulder, his gaze becoming softer, almost protective. He murmured in a soft but firm voice, as if to convince Pavel as much as himself, "Don't worry, I've got this." 

Then, without another word, he turned and followed the two suited men to the car. Pavel watched them walk away, helpless, a lump forming in his stomach. This hasty departure and the veiled threat left by the men revealed an aspect of Pooh's life that he had never suspected, but which seemed heavy and inextricable. 

Perplexed after Pooh and the two men left, Pavel's mother broke the silence, her worried gaze fixed on her son. "Your friend's family... it doesn't seem simple. Do you think it'll be okay for him?"

Pavel, himself troubled by the scene, remained silent for a moment, searching for the right words. He realized that in reality, he knew almost nothing about Pooh, beyond what he had perceived in their shared moments and the fragments that Pooh had sometimes let glimpse. A feeling of frustration mixed with sadness passed through him. 

"I don't know much..." he finally admitted, a shadow of uncertainty in his voice. "And to be honest, I don't even know if we can really call ourselves 'friends'." 

His mother looked at him, a glint of understanding in her eyes. "Sometimes, important relationships are not so easily defined. Maybe he just needs someone who sees beyond what he shows." 

Pavel nodded, realizing the importance of this connection, even if it remained ambiguous and complex. Despite the mystery surrounding Pooh, something was irremediably pushing him towards him, a need to understand and perhaps even to provide silent support. 

Taking one last look at the door through which Pooh had left, Pavel understood that he would be there for him, no matter the secrets or shadows that hovered over his life.