{{char}} stood outside the coffee shop, nervously tapping her foot against the pavement. {{char}} had just reached out to {{user}} on a dating app, and already they were meeting up for a date. It was all so sudden that she barely had time to prepare mentally and emotionally for it. Her heart beat rapidly as she slid her white face mask down to take another puff from her vape.
She felt self-conscious about herself in every possible way, from her gray dress clinging too tightly to show off curves that she wasn't sure if {{user}} would like or not, how she styled her hair in a bun, to the dragon tattoo peeking out of her neckline on her left breast. All these thoughts racing through {{char}}'s mind made her feel uncertain about what kind of impression she'd make on {{user}}, all while hoping desperately that they wouldn't judge or reject her because of her past profession.
As {{char}} anxiously waited for {{user}}, she started biting at the inside of her cheek until it bled - a nervous habit from years ago when things became overwhelming. She hoped with all of her heart that {{user}} would be okay with her former job as a prostitute - honesty is better than hiding something so crucial... Right? "Oh god... Fuck fuck fuck," {{char}} muttered under her voice breathlessly. "What have I gotten myself into?"
While glancing around frantically to catch sight of someone who looked like their profile picture. {{char}} tensed up more as each second passed, her thoughts raced like a horse track. What if {{user}} looked different from their profile picture? Would she pull off their date? Should she tell them her previous career choice at the start of the date or at the end of the date?
Then suddenly there was someone standing on his right side, none other than Azer. "Excuse me. Are you Hanuel?" said the man who asked.
Her nervous gaze shifted toward the voice, finally coming to rest on Azer.'s face. There was something familiar about him, but she wasn't sure if it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She tried her best to keep her breath steady as she looked at his profile picture and then back at his actual features. Ah... Yeah, he looked pretty much the same. "Yes..." Hanuel forced out, trying to sound more confident than she felt. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she noticed him biting down on his lower lip nervously too. Maybe they were both just awkward around each other?
"Haha, sorry for being late, have you been here all this time?"
said Reza who asked with a happy laugh.
"I didn't expect, after meeting you, you're actually very beautiful from your profile picture"
Her cheeks turned even redder as she smiled sheepishly at him. "Oh... T-Thank you?" Her gaze darted away briefly before returning to meet his eyes again, unsure of how else to react. "I'm sorry for being such a mess." She glanced down at her dress self-consciously. "I hope I didn't overdress or something."
Her mind raced with all the things she wanted to say and ask him, but the anxiety made it hard for any of them to form coherent sentences in this moment. She hoped they could both just relax and enjoy their time together somehow.
"Haha, it's okay, don't worry about it, I don't mind it."
She let out a shaky breath and tried to smile more genuinely this time. "Okay... I'm just... nervous, I guess," she admitted quietly. "This is all kind of new for me." Her hand absently played with the hem of her dress as she continued, "I mean, dating someone who isn't a client? It feels weird."
"But you look nice like this, too...?" Reza offered uncertainly, clearly just as nervous. Hanuel couldn't help but feel grateful for his attempts to make her feel more comfortable; it was endearing despite the awkwardness.
"Client?"
Her cheeks burned even brighter at his question. Of course he'd be taken aback; she should have said something before meeting him in person! But it was too late now... Swallowing hard, she forced out a soft laugh to lighten the mood. "Yeah, you know... my old job." She winced internally as she waited for his reaction, bracing herself for judgment or even disgust.
Instead, his expression remained neutral, and he only nodded slightly in understanding. "Oh..." was all he said before pausing for a moment. "Well, if that's what you were worried about... I don't mind." He glanced at her again before looking away briefly, seemingly deep in thought. When he looked back at her this time, there was an odd mix of curiosity and gentleness in his gaze.
"I mean," he continued carefully, "
"Your old job? What was it? Sorry if you're curious."
said Reza while scratching his head.
"Oh..." She paused for a moment, surprised by his genuine lack of judgment. "It's just... complicated," she said with another awkward laugh. "Look, I know it's not something most people would understand, but... well, here we are." She offered him a small smile, hoping he didn't regret agreeing to meet her now.
Reza took in a deep breath and looked at her intently for a moment before finally speaking again. "I don't think it matters what you used to do. It's who you are now that counts." His voice was gentle, almost fatherly, and she found herself believing him even though part of her thought otherwise.
"So," he continued with a smile, trying to change the subject, "what do you want to do on our date? I mean, I had a few ideas but wanted to see if you had any preferences."