regret

As Sunday approached, Alex received an unexpected message from Sophie that brought a sense of anticipation to his weekend.

"Hey Alex! Good news!" Sophie's message lit up his phone.

Curiosity piqued, he swiftly responded, "What is it?"

"Finally I got a job at a big company!" her reply conveyed a mix of excitement and accomplishment.

"Congratulations!" Alex's response carried genuine happiness for Sophie's achievement.

Eager to share her joy, Sophie proposed, "I want to give you a party! Can we meet at the bar?"

"Done!" Alex replied promptly, agreeing to join in the celebration at the bar.

On a Sunday evening, the city's lights began to twinkle as Alex arrived at the bar. Spotting Sophie waiting outside, he couldn't help but approach her with a friendly greeting.

"Hello, Sophie!" Alex smiled, the familiarity of their connection evident in his tone.

Sophie turned towards him, a playful smirk on her lips. "So you finally arrived!" she replied, her eyes sparkling with a teasing glint.

"I won't miss this!" Alex responded with a grin, setting the tone for an evening of shared laughter and camaraderie.

As they stepped into the lively ambiance of the bar, Sophie led the way to a cozy corner table. Alex, following her, couldn't help but feel the anticipation building in the air.

"Shall we sit here?" Sophie suggested, her eyes reflecting the excitement of the evening.

Alex nodded, and as they settled into their seats, he decided to kick off the night with a classic choice—ordering beers for both of them.

"Competition again?" Sophie playfully teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she recalled a previous friendly rivalry.

Alex chuckled, a hint of nostalgia crossing his features. "I can't risk getting slapped again," he replied, his words carrying the memory of a lighthearted incident.

"I'm just joking!" Sophie reassured him, her laughter filling the space between them. The banter set a comfortable tone, paving the way for a night of shared stories and genuine connection.

As they savored the taste of their beers, the lively ambiance of the bar provided the perfect backdrop for the rekindling of their friendship. Sophie, carried away by the festive spirit, leaned in, her words now infused with a touch of vulnerability.

"Alex!" she called out, her voice cutting through the background noise.

"Yes!" he replied, turning his attention toward her.

A playful smile played on her lips as she posed a question filled with genuine curiosity. "Won't you miss me at work?"

"Definitely! Who wouldn't miss a caring coworker?" Alex replied, his words expressing a sincere acknowledgment of the bond they shared, even in a professional setting. Sophie chuckled in response, the warmth of their connection evident in the lighthearted banter.

But Sophie wasn't done. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she called out to Alex again. "Hey, Alex!"

He turned to her, a curious expression on his face. "Can I ask you something?" she inquired, a hint of intrigue coloring her tone.

"Of course. What is it?" Alex replied, his curiosity piqued.

A brief pause lingered before Sophie ventured into more personal territory. "Did you ever find me attractive?" she asked, her question hanging in the air.

Alex, caught off guard, responded with a straightforward "No."

"Really?" Sophie teased, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

"True!" he affirmed, his reply accompanied by a genuine sincerity that mirrored their shared comfort in honesty.

Sophie, undeterred by Alex's straightforward response, continued to probe playfully. "Come on, not even a little bit?" she teased, a twinkle in her eyes.

Alex, maintaining his stance, chuckled. "Well, I've always valued our friendship more than anything else," he admitted.

Sophie leaned back, a contemplative expression on her face. "You know, Alex, I will miss you. I will miss our camaraderie, our banter, and even our occasional disagreements."

Alex, touched by her sincerity, smiled. "I will miss you too, Sophie. It's good to have you back, and congratulations on the new job!"

As the evening unfolded, they shared more stories, laughter, and memories. The bar, with its dim lights and lively atmosphere, became a space where two friends reconnected, bridging the gaps that time and circumstances had created.

As the night progressed, Sophie's tone turned more reflective. "You know, Alex, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Curiosity sparked in Alex's eyes. "What is it?"

Sophie took a deep breath, her gaze meeting his. "I've realized that I want more than just friendship with you. I want you in my life in a way that goes beyond being coworkers or friends."

Alex, surprised by her candid admission, took a moment to absorb her words. The atmosphere around them seemed to shift as they navigated the uncharted territory of emotions.

"I've been carrying these feelings for a while now, and I didn't want to jeopardize our friendship. But tonight, I couldn't keep it to myself anymore," Sophie confessed, her vulnerability laid bare.

Amidst the revelation, Alex, ever the understanding friend, responded with a mix of concern and care. "You are high now! Let me drop you home," he suggested, a practical solution to navigate the emotional depth of the moment.

Carrying her gently, Alex escorted Sophie to a cab and ensured she reached her apartment safely. Inside her home, he carefully placed her on the bed, ready to make a quiet exit.

However, as he prepared to leave, Sophie, still conscious but grappling with the weight of her confession, called him back. "I'm still conscious," she acknowledged.

Turning back, Alex faced her with a question in his eyes. "What is it?" he inquired, a sense of understanding in his tone.

"Alex, sorry," Sophie apologized, her words reflecting a mix of regret and uncertainty.

"It's nothing," he reassured her, sensing the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air.

She, overcome with vulnerability, took a deep breath before confessing, "But truly, I am in love with you."

The admission hung in the air, a moment pregnant with unspoken truths. Alex, feeling the weight of honesty, couldn't evade reality. "But I am already in love with Emma," he confessed, his words gentle yet resolute.

Aware of the complexity of the situation, she responded, "I know, but I don't want the guilt that I never confess."

Caught in a silent contemplation, Alex grappled with the words he should choose. The room was filled with an uneasy quiet as he navigated the delicate balance of friendship and honesty.

Breaking the silence, she voiced a plea, "Can we be friends to the end?" A genuine desire for connection echoed in her words.

He, after a moment's hesitation, replied, "Yes, I will be your best friend till the end." The commitment to preserving their friendship became a bridge across the emotional divide.

In a moment of vulnerability, Alex added, "I hope you find another guy who is good."

Her response carried a hint of determination. "I will find better than you."

"All the best," he said, his words a blend of sincerity and farewell. With that, he left the apartment, carrying with him the weight of a complex moment, and headed towards the familiar comfort of his own home.