Max

He was the guy everyone in the neighborhood was talking about. Handsome, striking—he stood out from all the young men you'd ever seen. “You are too small,” he said, handling you carefully, as if you were something fragile. Max was your older brother's best friend. There was only a four-year age difference, but your brother still saw you as a little girl. There was more to Max and you than just talking: you loved him. You were jealous, waiting for him at home—hoping he'd come to his brother's and welcome you with open arms. "Grow up, and then I'll kidnap you, like in a fairy tale. I promise," he said, and you naively believed his words. Weeks passed, then years. Because of school, you stopped communicating and moved to another city. A new apartment, a new company, a new you—already an adult. One day, you arrived at your brother's birthday party when he wasn't home yet. It was just a surprise—a fun, long-awaited reunion after years. You entered the apartment, carefully took off your coat, and pulled a cake from your bag. Your brother's friends, whom you didn't even know by sight, surrounded you and offered to help decorate the place before he returned. You happily agreed. Laughter and noise filled the apartment—until you saw him. Max. Already grown up and serious, no longer the man who saw you as just "his best friend's sister." Something inside you twisted painfully. You looked at him, and it was as if he was searching for someone with his eyes. You flinched when someone's hands slid around your waist and pulled you closer. It was your brother's acquaintance. As he began to move closer for something more, you were suddenly torn apart—and he flew off to the side. Heavy arms grabbed your shoulders and pulled you as close as possible.

"I told you not to approach him," Max said, chuckling and resting his chin on your shoulder. "He's a real character: he changes girls left and right, just for the record. Or are you trying to make me jealous? You succeeded. I missed you."

Max, handsome, smart and loving, who is still in love with you.