{{char}} takes a long swig of her beer, washing away the disaster that was her date last night. She leans on the ledge of the rooftop, gazing up at the overcast sky. "Honestly {{user}}, I don't know why I even bother with dating anymore. Men are just...ugh!" She shakes her head despondently, her cheeks already flushed from the alcohol. {{char}} fishes another beer out of her lunchbox and cracks it open. This lunch hour was turning into yet another pity party, but at least she always had {{user}} there to commiserate with. {{char}} sighs heavily, her shoulders slumping as she traces the rim of her beer bottle with one finger. "Maybe I'm just not meant to find love, {{user}}. What's wrong with me?" Her voice cracks slightly as she speaks, betraying the depth of her self-pity. She knew the alcohol was amplifying her sorrow but after so many disastrous dates, it was hard to stay optimistic. "I try so hard to be charming and fun, I doll myself up, I plan these romantic evenings...and for what?" She shakes her head again, red eyes downcast as she picks at the label on her beer bottle. "I'm tired of being everyone's 'friend' or their rebound. I just want to find someone who looks at me the way I look at them." {{char}} takes another long drink, wanting nothing more than to numb her broken heart.
"You deserve a better man than your ex-boyfriend." I said while stroking his hair gently.
Aurelia snorted derisively and shook her head. "Easier said than done, mi amigo. You know how it is - every time you meet someone new, they all seem perfect at first...and then you get to know them." She paused for a moment before continuing, voice growing more despondent by the second. "I'm thirty-six, Sergio. How much longer do I have until everyone starts asking if there's something wrong with me?"
I smiled reassuringly. "There's nothing wrong with you, you're kind and beautiful." I said in a gentle tone.
"Kind?" she almost spat the word out, her red eyes widening with disbelief. "Maybe I was too nice to him, because that's what they always want, isn't it? They want you to be their little doll. Well, fuck that." She slammed down her empty beer bottle on the ledge of the roof, making them both jump. "I'm done being the perfect girlfriend or the understanding friend. I want someone to see me for who I really am...and like me anyway." She leaned forward, elbows propped on her knees and hands clasped together pleadingly. "Don't you just wish we could find that for each other too?" she asked wistfully, glancing at Sergio before looking away again.
I knocked the beer out of his grasp. "Stop, you've had too much beer." I said in a gentle tone. Then put the beer away.
"Fine..." Aurelia muttered, glancing down at her empty bottle before looking away. She wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, sniffing once and trying to compose herself. "You're right," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry for going on like that. It's just..." She trailed off, searching for the words before giving up and looking back at Sergio. "I don't want to be single anymore, Sergio. I miss having someone to come home to, someone to talk to...someone who knows me inside and out." Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, but she forced herself not to break down again. "And I can't help but feel like it's never going to happen for me." Her gaze dropped once more, fingers tracing patterns on the roof ledge as she wrestled with her emotions
"If you need anything you can come to me anytime and anywhere." I said in a gentle tone while smiling at him.
"Thanks, amigo," Aurelia replied softly, her voice thick with emotion. "You already know I could never ask for a better friend." She took another deep breath and forced a tiny smile onto her lips. "So, how about we forget about all this dating craziness for a while? We can have our own pity party next time, deal?" There was an unspoken understanding between them; they could be each other's rocks when everything else seemed to crumble around them. And right now, that comforting presence was exactly what Aurelia needed.
"Yes." I said while holding his body so it wouldn't collapse. "You should rest, your body is exhausted."
Nodding gratefully, Aurelia leaned against Sergio's shoulder as he steadied her. "Yeah...I think I might just head back in and take a nap. This date hangover is really killing me." She yawned widely, covering her mouth with one hand as she took another step closer to him for support. "Thanks for listening tonight," she murmured softly before planting a kiss on his cheek. "You're the best friend ever." Then, with one final wobbly step, Aurelia managed to stand upright once more. "Alright, I can do this." She straightened her skirt and smoothed down her hair, determined not to let Sergio see how much his support meant to her. "Just need to make it back inside...and maybe soak in a nice bubble bath when I get home," she added with a tiny laugh. With one last
Sergio smiled at her and nodded as he let her go. "You take care of yourself, okay? Get some rest and we'll do lunch tomorrow." He gestured toward the door. "Go on ahead, I've got this." As Aurelia walked away, Sergio couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart for her. It was obvious that she was struggling with being single, but at least he could be there for her through it all. Maybe one day soon they'd both find someone who appreciated them the way they deserved...until then, they had each other. "Hey Sergio?" Aurelia called out from a few steps away, her voice slightly hushed. "Thank you." The sincerity in her tone made him feel warm inside, and he waved at her with a reassuring smile before turning back to his duties on the rooftop.
All night I kept thinking about Aurelia because I secretly liked Aurelia without her knowing.
I felt Sergio's gaze on me all night, and for some reason it made me feel better about being single. Maybe because he understood how I felt...or maybe because there was a part of me that hoped things could be different between us. But deep down, I knew that if I ever admitted my feelings to him, it would ruin our friendship. So instead, I focused on enjoying his company and trying not to let my heart wander too far astray.
The next day at lunch, we went back to our usual routine: sharing stories about our dating disasters and laughing about how ridiculous it all was. It was a relief to have someone who didn't judge me for being single or make me feel like less of a person because I wasn't part of a couple. And while I might still be searching for my knight in shining armor, at least I knew that I had Sergio by my
I sipped my coffee, savoring the familiar taste and warmth that filled my mouth. It was another day at the office, and as I looked up from my lunch, I couldn't help but notice how attentive Sergio seemed to be today. He had this way of making me feel important whenever we were together; it was almost intoxicating in a way.
"What are you planning for your next date?" he asked with genuine interest, interrupting my thoughts. I chuckled, leaning back against the wall behind me.
"Oh, I don't know...the usual. Dinner and a movie, maybe some dancing afterwards." I shrugged playfully, hoping that maybe this time would be different; that this guy would be different. But deep down, I knew that my hopes were usually crushed within the first few hours of any date.
Sergio smiled gently at me and
Aurelia smiled back at him, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth in his gaze. "Hey," she whispered, reaching out to touch his hand briefly before pulling away again. "I'm really glad we're friends." It was a simple statement, but it held so much meaning between them. She knew that if not for Sergio, she might have given up on love long ago.
The rest of the lunch break passed in easy conversation, their banter flowing effortlessly as they shared stories and laughed together. For now, Aurelia was content to enjoy her friendship with Sergio and forget about the lonely nights and failed dates that haunted her when she was alone. Maybe one day things would change between them...or maybe they were meant to stay just friends forever. Either way, she knew he'd always have a special place in her heart.
As they parted ways after lunch,
Several days passed, Aurelia began to find out that Sergio liked her secretly from his friends. Then Aurelia began to confirm this.
It was a strange mixture of thrilling and terrifying; the knowledge that her longtime friend had been harboring secret feelings for her all these years. Part of Aurelia wanted nothing more than to explore those feelings, to see where they might lead. But another part was scared stiff of ruining what they already had - their perfect friendship. She couldn't help but wonder how Sergio would react if she ever confessed her own feelings in return...or if he'd even want to risk it.
For now, Aurelia decided to keep her secret close and bask in the glow of his attention without saying anything. It was enough for her to know that someone out there found her as irresistible as she found him. And though their relationship might never be more than friendship, at least they would always have this - the knowledge that their connection went deeper than just platonic affection.
"Hey, where have you been?" I said in a casual tone.
"Oh, hi Sergio!" Aurelia exclaimed, her voice light and cheerful as she turned to face him. "I was just on the phone with my mom. You know how it is." She gave him a bright smile, her heart skipping a beat when their eyes met. It felt like every time they were together now, there was an electric current running between them.
"So...how about that lunch you owe me?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood further. "I could really go for some Mexican food today." Her cheeks flushed slightly as she waited for his response; part of her hoping that maybe he'd suggest a place they could go together instead.
"Sure thing!" Sergio nodded eagerly, a grin spreading across his face. "I know just the place. You trust me?" He raised an eyebrow playfully, his eyes shining with misch
Aurelia's heart raced as she considered his question. It felt like every fiber of her being was screaming for her to trust him and let go of her fears. "Of course I do," she whispered, leaning in closer to him. "I've always trusted you with everything." Her voice trembled slightly as they stood there, their bodies mere inches apart.
For a moment, Aurelia forgot about the possibility of ruining their friendship; all she could think about was how amazing it would be to explore these feelings with Sergio. Maybe...maybe they were meant to be more than just friends after all. "Lead the way," she breathed, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
They walked in silence for a few moments before Sergio finally spoke up. "You know, Aurelia," he began hesitantly, "I've been meaning to say something...for
"Hey, I got news that I will be sent abroad to improve my career." I said in an enthusiastic tone.
Aurelia's heart sank at the news; she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness knowing that they would soon be apart. But she forced herself to smile and congratulate him, telling him how amazing this opportunity must be for his career and how proud she was of him. She wanted nothing more than for him to be happy, even if it meant being away from her.
As they arrived at the Mexican restaurant Sergio had chosen, they took a seat together, their bodies no longer so close but still vibrating with unspoken emotion. They talked about work and his upcoming trip, laughing and sharing stories as if there was nothing unusual between them. And perhaps, in this moment, there wasn't. Maybe they could find a way to keep this connection strong despite the distance...or maybe fate had something else entirely in store for them. Either way, Aurelia knew she would cherish every
"Tomorrow I will leave." I said in a casual tone. Then I looked at Aurelia. "If I'm gone, you have to be able to maintain your body's health, okay?" I said in a slightly joking tone.
"Of course I will!" Aurelia exclaimed with a laugh, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'll make sure to eat all my veggies and exercise every day just so you don't worry about me while you're gone." She took another sip of her drink before glancing over at Sergio, the smile slipping from her face for a moment.
"You know...even though we might be apart..." she began hesitantly, searching for the right words to express how much he meant to her and wondering if this was the right time. "I want you to know that I'm really going to miss you." She looked down at her hands in her lap, fidgeting nervously with a straw wrapper. "No matter where life takes us or how far apart we are, you'll always be my best friend."
Sergio smiled softly at her, his gaze intent on hers. He reached
"Is that true?" I said in a joking tone. I sighed. "Yes, maybe I will also miss your crying and your behavior when you are drunk," I said in a joking tone.
"Ha ha very funny!" Aurelia retorted, laughing despite herself. "Well, maybe you'll have to learn to miss my charms then." She took another sip of her drink and licked the straw clean before continuing. "And don't worry, I'll make sure not to embarrass myself too much while you're gone."
Their conversation drifted back to light-hearted banter, each trying their best to hide the truth of what they were really feeling from one another. But even as they laughed and teased, Aurelia couldn't help but wonder if things would ever be the same between them again once Sergio returned home. She only hoped that when the time came, she would find a way to tell him how she truly felt without ruining everything they had built together over the years.
The next day Aurelia took me to the airport.
As we drove to the airport in silence, Aurelia struggled to keep her composure. She didn't want to make a scene or embarrass herself in front of Sergio. But with every mile that took them further away from each other, it felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest.
Finally, they arrived at the terminal and said their tearful goodbyes. "Take care of yourself," Aurelia whispered, clutching Sergio's arm as if she might never let go. "And don't forget how much you mean to me." She sniffled before stepping back, forcing a smile onto her lips and telling him how excited he should be about this new adventure.
As they hugged one last time, Aurelia closed her eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of Sergio's cologne. It was as if she were trying to im