Reel Love

06 AI

A month had passed since their first dinner, and Lisa still found herself hesitating before each date. Casimiro, with his laid-back charm, was far from the guy she'd met that first night at the movies. Back then, he'd seemed distant, barely paying her any attention beyond a few indifferent remarks. But that version of Casimiro felt like a stranger now, and Lisa found herself surprised at how different he'd turned out to be.

From their second date onward, Casimiro had clearly made an effort. It wasn't that he had to apologize-there was no grand speech about that night-but it was in the little things. He paid attention now, really listened when she spoke, and went out of his way to show he cared. On their third date, he brought her coffee, not just any coffee but the exact order she'd mentioned offhand weeks earlier, and she couldn't help but smile at the thoughtfulness behind it.

Casimiro had a way of making her feel like the center of attention, though not in an over-the-top way. During their dates, whether they were sitting at a quiet cafe or wandering through an art gallery, he seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say. He asked about her favorite films, her childhood memories, the things that made her laugh. And while he was still laid-back, never pushing too hard, Lisa could tell that he was trying-trying to show her that he wasn't that indifferent guy she'd met at the movies.

On their fifth date, Lisa couldn't help but bring up that night. "You know, you were kind of a jerk when we first met," she teased, giving him a sidelong glance as they walked through the park.

Casimiro chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I know. I was, uh... not having the best day. But I've been trying to make up for that ever since." His grin was lopsided, the kind of smile that came with a hint of guilt but also a lot of charm.

Lisa raised an eyebrow, pretending to be skeptical, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her. "You're doing alright, I guess."

He bumped her shoulder gently, his tone playful but sincere. "I'm aiming for better than 'alright.'"

And truthfully, he was. With every date, Casimiro put in the effort to be present, to make sure Lisa knew that she mattered to him. It wasn't about grand gestures or romantic speeches, but in the way he'd send her goodnight texts just to make sure she knew he was thinking of her, or how he'd remember small details she hadn't even realized she'd shared.

A month had passed since that indifferent guy at the movies, and though neither of them had said anything definitive, Lisa could feel the shift. The awkwardness of their first encounters had melted into something more comfortable, more genuine. Casimiro was still the same laid-back guy, but now there was a softness to him that Lisa hadn't seen before-a side of him that cared, really cared, about getting things right this time.

They settled into a cozy corner of a quaint restaurant, the dim lighting casting a warm glow over their faces. The conversation flowed easily at first-talking about their favorite movies, favorite places, and even some amusing anecdotes. But as the night wore on and they sipped their wine, the mood shifted to something more reflective.

Casimiro leaned in slightly, his gaze earnest. "You know, I've really enjoyed getting to know you, Lisa. It's been great to see how you've opened up. But there's still a lot I don't know about you. What's something from your past that's really shaped who you are today?"

Lisa paused, looking down at her glass. "That's a big question," she said, a small smile playing at her lips. "I guess... well, I've had a few relationships that didn't end well. They weren't exactly what you'd call healthy. I always thought I was just unlucky, but now I see it was more about my own choices and the patterns I fell into."

Casimiro's expression softened with empathy. "What do you mean by patterns?"

Lisa took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I tended to go for guys who were charming but ultimately unreliable. They'd say all the right things, but when it came down to it, they weren't really there for me. I kept convincing myself that it was just bad luck or that I could change them. But eventually, I had to face that I needed to change how I approached relationships."