love ★ f1

episode one

lucia's POV

i stepped into the small grocery store, the familiar jingle of the bell above the door announcing my arrival. the store was bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the windows, casting warm hues on the polished wooden floors. i made my way to the produce section, selecting fresh vegetables and fruits for the gallery's daily offerings.

as i picked out a ripe tomato, i overheard a group of elderly women chatting animatedly nearby. their voices carried through the store, filled with the kind of gossip that seemed to permeate small-town life.

"i heard tomas herrera is in jail," one of the women said, her voice tinged with shock.

"what? really?" another replied, her eyes widening. "i thought he was still trying to charm his way through everything."

"apparently, it's for sexual assault," the first woman continued. "a girl from a neighboring village. it's all anyone's talking about."

the conversation made me stop in my tracks. tomas was a name that had echoed through the town's recent history, a figure wrapped in both admiration and scandal. hearing such grave accusations made me uneasy. i quickly moved on to the dairy section, trying to push the unsettling news from my mind.

another voice drifted towards me, filled with excitement. "and did you hear? a famous person from madrid is in town! they didn't say who, but it's all the buzz."

i couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity, but i was too reserved to ask for more details. i finished my shopping, picking up a small snack for later—a sweet pastry that would be a nice treat after a long day. as i paid and left the store, the chatter about the famous visitor lingered in my thoughts, mingling with the disturbing news about tomas.

back at the gallery, i set my bags down and went straight to work. the space was my sanctuary, filled with the calming presence of my artwork and the soft, ambient music playing in the background. my latest project was a portrait of a deceased dog for my friend lena. it was an emotional piece, capturing the essence of a beloved pet who had been a cherished member of her family.

i was deeply absorbed in my work, my brush strokes meticulous and focused. the gallery was quiet except for the soft hum of my work and the occasional distant sounds from the street. i was just adding the final touches to the dog's portrait when the bell above the door rang, and i looked up.

a tall, muscular man with brown hair entered. he had an aura of confidence and familiarity, though i couldn't place where i had seen him before. he was dressed casually but with an air of sophistication that caught my attention.

"hello," i greeted him with a warm smile. "welcome to the gallery. how can i assist you today?"

"hi," he responded, returning my smile. "i'm looking for some artwork for my new office. i'm a landscape architect."

"oh, i see," i said, nodding. "well, we have a variety of pieces. please, take your time to look around. if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

the man wandered around the gallery, examining the different artworks. he paused in front of a few pieces, his appreciation evident. i returned to my work but kept an eye on him, intrigued by his interest.

after some time, he approached me again. "i must say, your work is incredible. there's something very soothing about it."

"thank you," i replied, feeling a bit shy but pleased. "i've always tried to capture emotions and stories in my art."

"it definitely shows," he said. "i'm carlos, by the way."

"nice to meet you, carlos. i'm lucia. if you need any help or have any more questions, just let me know."