Eileen gazed earnestly at Rafael for a moment before she took the initiative to embrace his arm, looking into his eyes as she spoke, "Rafael, tell me, are you resigning for me, or for yourself?"

Rafael's lips curved into a faint smile. "Why do you ask?"

"If it's for me, I don't want you to be so impulsive. If it's for yourself, then whatever choice you make, I will support you unconditionally."

Rafael's eyes faltered for a moment. In that instant, he realized that what seemed like a simple decision to him was actually a bold gamble concerning his life for Eileen.

He gently rested his head on Eileen's shoulder,...