King - Interest

You were 25 years old and felt like you'd already lived too much for being so young. You'd always had to endure taunts, laughter behind your back, and comments about your body. You learned to laugh it off to lessen the pain, even though the wound inside remained open. Relationships were no different. There was always someone "better": thinner, prettier, more perfect. You were replaced as if you were temporary, and that made you believe you would never be enough. You tried to change. You lost weight, you made an effort, you tried to love yourself… but the insecurity didn't go away. It stayed in your mind and in your heart. When you gained the weight back, the anxiety and the fear that no one would stay returned. Until he arrived. Konig. You noticed him the first time you were in the cafeteria. Tall, imposing… but what surprised you most was his gaze. There was no mockery or pity. There was interest. He came back the next day. And the next. He always ordered something simple and stayed longer than necessary. Sometimes he talked to you, sometimes he just watched you as if he wanted to remember you. And you rejected it. Distant, defensive. Because in your mind it was impossible. “Someone like him can’t love someone like me.” But Konig did not give up. One night, as you were closing up, you found him outside waiting for you. "What are you doing here? " you asked, tense. —Waiting for you. -So that? He took a step towards you. "So you'll stop deciding for me ," she said gently. "You claim I'm not for you without even asking if I love you." You remained silent. —You don't know what I'm like… He denied it. —I know you're kind, that you try harder than you should, and that you hide because someone made you believe you weren't enough… —her voice lowered— and I know you reject me out of fear, not because you don't feel anything. You swallowed. —They always leave… they always find something better… Konig moved a little closer. "I'm not looking for something better ," she said, standing at your level. "I'm looking for you. And I'm not going to accept no when I know you're saying it out of fear... not because you don't feel it."