"The Complexity of Desire"

"The Beginning of Us"

"I don't like anything," I muttered, tossing another dress onto the bed in frustration. "Why am I even going out? Why did I agree to this?" I groaned, exasperated with my reflection and the mounting pile of rejected outfits.

"Oh, stop with your drama," Aurora said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Wear something that looks nice on you. Try this beige one; it'll complement your hair color perfectly." She handed me a light nude dress with a nonchalant air.

"Okay, okay, this is what I'm wearing," I conceded, accepting the dress and heading to the changing area. As I slipped into the outfit, Aurora's words floated in from the other room. "And take it easy. You need this. It's been ages since you dated someone."

"You know," I said, emerging in the dress, "you're right. It really has been a long time." I tried to smile, but my nerves were still on edge. Aurora's reassurances were meant to calm me, and they did somewhat, but the anxiety remained.

After making the final adjustments to my appearance, I got into the car and drove to our meeting place, my mind racing with anticipation and self-doubt. When I arrived, I saw him waiting for me. As I stepped out of the car, his gaze met mine immediately.

"Hey," he greeted, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "I had forgotten how beautiful you are."

My cheeks flushed at the compliment. "Thank you," I managed, trying to keep my composure. "You're looking good yourself," I added with a teasing smile.

It was hard to ignore how striking he was. His eyes, deep and mesmerizing, seemed to hold a charm all their own, even when he wasn't smiling. His intoxicating smile was almost magnetic, as though it radiated from every cell in his being. Tall and muscular, he clearly took good care of himself. And then there was his scent—a rich, alluring perfume that seemed to envelop the entire space around us. It was as though his very presence had a tangible, intoxicating quality.

"What would you like to drink?" he asked, looking at me with an attentive gaze.

"White wine for me," I said, feeling the anticipation of the evening.

"Alright then, I'll join you. A bottle of Pinot Grigio, please," he instructed the waiter.

As the waiter departed, he turned his full attention back to me. "I'm really glad you agreed to meet up. Ever since our last casual encounter, I've found myself thinking about you more often than I'd expected."

His words were both flattering and comforting. I smiled, feeling a flutter of warmth at his compliment. "I'm happy to be here, too. I haven't been on a date in a while, so I was a bit nervous."

"You shouldn't ," he said, his voice soothing. "I just want to get to know you better. We can take things as they come and see where it leads."

There was something incredibly reassuring in his demeanor. The way he spoke made me feel not just comfortable but genuinely valued. It was refreshing, and I appreciated the space he was giving me to just be myself.

"So," he continued, leaning slightly forward with interest, "I remember you mentioned your office is nearby. What exactly do you do?"

"I run a small architecture studio," I explained. "We also handle event planning on the side. It keeps me busy and creatively fulfilled. And you?"

He laughed softly, a sound that was both warm and inviting. "I work in programming. It's mostly working with computers from home, which might sound dull, but it has its perks. I get to set my own hours and work in a comfortable environment. It's not as exciting as your job though."

"That sounds interesting in its own way," I said, trying to understand his perspective. "Have you been living here long?"

"Not really," he said with a slight shrug. "I recently moved because of my brother. He lives here and...long story short i had to came, not that I'm complaining though. How about you? Have you always lived here?"