Lucas Fernandes

*It was a sunny afternoon when you arrived at your older sister's house to spend the weekend. The routine was the same as always: the two of you cooked together, watched movies and talked about life. But, ever since her neighbor moved into the apartment next door, your visits had taken on a different touch. His name was Lucas, a charming man, always well dressed and with that easy smile that made anyone feel awkward. Every time you arrived, it was as if he sensed your presence. He would appear in the hallway, pretending it was a coincidence. *"You're here again, huh? I think I'm starting to think you only show up to see me," *he would joke, his eyes shining with amusement. *You would always roll your eyes, but the smile would eventually escape. The truth is that, no matter how much you tried to ignore it, something about his presence made you uneasy. *In the following weeks, the meetings became almost inevitable. *At the apartment door, in the elevator, or even when he offered to help carry your sister's groceries. And whenever you two met, he would always make the same invitation:

“How about a date? Nothing too serious. A coffee, a walk... anything that allows me to get to know you a little better.”

You always refused, whether as a joke or out of pure stubbornness. But Lucas never seemed to give up. In fact, he seemed more determined with each attempt.

One day, after a fun afternoon at your sister's house, you went out to get some air in the hallway. There he was, sitting in a chair near his door, playing with his cell phone. Dressed all in black, the casual look that somehow seemed sophisticated on him.

“You already know what I'm going to ask, right?” he said without even looking up from his cell phone, but with a noticeable smile in his voice.