Chapter 1

It was the beginning of the week, and the sun, with its morning rays, signaled the start of a new, flourishing day. Gloria was slowly waking up, despite the lingering fatigue from the night she had spent with her friends at that nightclub. As an accountant in a large company, she needed to be at her best. So, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, where she freshened up before returning to her bedroom to carefully select the outfit she would wear to work. Once she had made her choice, she stepped into the shower for a revitalizing hot shower.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, her sister, a professional stylist who also had to go to work, was preparing breakfast. Unlike Gloria, Charlotte preferred quiet mornings, where she could take the time to savor every moment. Focused in the kitchen, she was toasting bread, preparing tea, and making other treats while letting the invigorating warmth of the morning fill her senses.

With breakfast ready, Charlotte was already seated in the dining room when Gloria, freshly dressed in an elegant navy blue tailored dress, emerged from her bedroom, a patent leather handbag in hand. Her outfit was impeccable, enhanced by a pair of black high heels and pearl earrings. She sat down at the dining table.

— Good morning, Gloria, Charlotte said with a smirk. You look like you had a great night yesterday.

— Good morning, Charlotte. Yes, it was fun, but I’m a little tired, Gloria replied, pouring herself some tea.

Charlotte observed her sister with curiosity before saying, between bites of her croissant:

— Are you sure you won’t be late for work? You know, after spending the whole night at a nightclub, it’s not easy. I hope you’ve already arranged for the taxi you’re going to take?

Gloria, after taking a sip of tea, calmly replied:

— I already called Jacob, and he’s coming to pick me up.

Charlotte raised an intrigued eyebrow.

— Ah, I see. Speaking of Jacob, don’t you think it’s time you gave each other a chance?

Gloria pretended not to hear and focused on her breakfast, but Charlotte wasn’t ready to drop the conversation.

— You’ve known each other for so long. Don’t you think it’s time to build something together? After all, you’re crazy about each other, and even Mom has noticed and mentioned it several times.

Gloria let out a deep sigh before breaking the silence.

— Are you trying to tell me that Mom dreams of this too, just like you? But what you need to know is that your dreams will never come true. It’s true that Jacob has made a successful life for himself, and I’m also doing well. We are best friends, and nothing will change that. Giving ourselves a chance to build a life together? That’s practically impossible because I don’t feel anything for that man, and he’s simply not my type. He knows it himself.

Charlotte shook her head in disbelief.

— Wow! Are you serious? Jacob, that handsome man and one of the best lawyers in this city, is not your type?

Gloria put down her croissant and stared at her sister.

— My dear, I really don’t want to have this discussion with you. And if Mom sent you, tell her I’m not interested. Jacob is just a friend, nothing more.

— Okay. If you say so, Charlotte replied with a shrug.

Gloria had barely finished her breakfast when the sound of a car echoed outside. Looking through the window, she saw Jacob stepping out of his vehicle. He was impeccably dressed in a charcoal gray suit, a crisp white shirt, and a blue tie that matched his cufflinks. His natural elegance was further enhanced by his warm smile and neatly styled hair.

— Jacob is here, Gloria said as she quickly got up. See you later, Charlotte.

She grabbed her bag and, after a final glance at her sister, rushed outside to meet Jacob.

— Good morning, Jacob! she called out as she got into the car.

— Good morning, Gloria. Ready for a new day? he replied with a slight smile before starting the car and heading towards the office.

Inside the house, Charlotte watched the scene from the window, a mix of frustration and sadness in her eyes. She hoped that, somehow, her sister would realize what was right in front of her before it was too late.

On the Road...

In the car, Jacob occasionally glanced at Gloria, hoping to catch her attention.

— So, how was your night out? he asked, trying to start a conversation.

Gloria, her eyes fixed on her phone, was furiously typing away, responding to messages and scrolling through her social media. She answered distractedly:

— Oh, it was nice. The girls and I had a great time.

Jacob nodded, trying to hide his disappointment at her lack of engagement in the conversation.

— Glad to hear that, he said simply, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

Silence fell over the car, interrupted only by the sounds of the city waking up. Jacob focused on the road, his mind racing with unspoken thoughts. They eventually arrived in front of the towering building where Gloria worked. She quickly stepped out of the car, barely glancing at Jacob.

— Thanks for the ride, Jacob. See you later! she said before heading toward the entrance without waiting for a response.

Jacob watched her walk away, a sigh escaping his lips. He restarted the car and drove toward his law firm. The streets blurred past, but his mind remained fixated on Gloria. He wondered if he would ever be able to break through the barrier of their friendship and make her see how he truly felt about her.

At the Office...

At the firm, Jacob was greeted by his assistant, Nicole, a young woman both dynamic and highly organized.

— Good morning, Mr. Jacob. You have a board meeting at 9 AM, and Mr. Marcos requested an appointment later in the morning, she informed him, following him to his office.

— Thank you, Nicole. Prepare the files for the meeting I’ll get ready shortly, Jacob replied as he stepped into his spacious office.

He sat down at his desk, taking a moment to gather himself. Running a hand through his hair, he tried to push thoughts of Gloria out of his mind. He knew he had to stay professional, despite the turmoil in his heart.

A few hours later, after a series of meetings and consultations, Jacob finally found himself alone in his office. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a few moments to relax. His phone vibrated, abruptly pulling him back to reality. It was a message from Mousse, his best friend and brother at heart. Mousse was inviting him to their usual restaurant for lunch.

Jacob checked the time and saw that it was indeed time for a break. He quickly replied, confirming that he would be there in fifteen minutes.

The quarter-hour passed quickly, and Jacob met Mousse at the restaurant. As soon as they arrived, they placed their orders, choosing their favorite dishes. Yet, even in the company of his friend, Jacob wasn’t really present. His thoughts were elsewhere, haunted by Gloria. Why couldn’t she see him as anything more than just a friend?

Mousse, always attentive and understanding, quickly noticed Jacob’s distracted state. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, he decided to bring up the subject.

— Jacob, what’s going on? You’re not yourself today, Mousse noted as he took a bite of his chicken.

Jacob sighed, lowering his gaze to the table before answering.

— It’s Gloria. I can’t stop thinking about her. I feel like she’ll never see me as more than a friend. It’s tearing me apart, Mousse.

Mousse nodded, fully understanding the situation. He knew how much Jacob cared for Gloria and how deeply her indifference affected him.

— Listen, Jacob, you can’t keep going like this. You need to tell her how you feel. Maybe she’s not picking up on your signals. Maybe she needs something more direct, more obvious.

Jacob looked at him, uncertain.

— You really think I should confess my feelings to her?

— Absolutely, Mousse replied without hesitation. Plan something special. A romantic evening where you can speak openly, without holding back. It’s the only way to truly know how she feels.

Inspired by his friend’s words, Jacob felt a new sense of determination rise within him.

— You’re right, Mousse. I need to talk to her. I’m going to plan a romantic evening and finally tell her what’s in my heart.

Mousse smiled, pleased to see his friend regaining his confidence.

— That’s the spirit, Jacob. And no matter her response, at least you’ll know where you stand, and you’ll be able to move forward.

They continued their lunch, and Jacob felt a little lighter after sharing his worries with Mousse. He began imagining the evening, thinking about every detail to make it unforgettable for Gloria. Maybe that night, she would finally see him as more than just a friend. Maybe it would be the start of something new something beautiful and real.