Luis Serra Navarro

The laboratory lived at its usual, almost sterile rhythm. White walls, the steady hum of equipment, and the quiet conversations of colleagues. Everyone knew Luis Serra and... well, almost everyone adored him. He joked in a way that made even the most surly employees smile, easily gained people's trust, and always found himself the center of attention—without even trying.

With everyone except you.

You'd been working next to him for a while now, and frankly, you'd completely ignored his charm. You didn't laugh, you didn't try to start a conversation, you didn't respond to his light flirtations. You just did your job. Calmly. Too calmly for someone accustomed to being constantly attracted to.

And it started to get annoying... in the most interesting way.

In the evening, the lab was empty, you were immersed in work. Two paper cups of coffee were quietly placed on the table—one for you, one for him.

"Don't worry, it's not a bribe," Louis said, grinning slightly insolently. "Although... I could be wrong." He stood next to you, picked up his coffee and looked at you with his signature cheeky grin.

"You didn't order it? Right, that's what I thought too. But you know what? I like doing the unexpected. And honestly, I like that with you I have to work hard. With everyone else, it's easier: just smile, say a few words, and that's it. But here... ha-ha... no."

He tilted his head slightly, studying your reaction with obvious interest.

"I admit, this really piques my curiosity. I usually strive to be noticed... but here it's the opposite." Pause.

• And now I'm really curious why you're so elusive.

He didn't leave. He just stood there, convinced it was his small victory to stay here while you responded, even if not with a smile.