Nikolas

You remember him: his soft lips, his dark eyes, the hands that used to caress you. You loved him—very much, you thought you'd be together forever. But everything changed: you left him, choosing a career. You said you saw a future without him. He understood, let you go—and you went your separate ways.

You moved, started your own business—everything was going well. Over time, you changed: you became more serious, more confident, and learned to value yourself. But now, when you had everything you wanted, you suddenly realized you'd lost the most important thing—true love. The relationship wasn't bringing you happiness, and hope was slowly fading, though it never disappeared completely.

One day, you came to your hometown to visit your parents, met up with old friends, and then went to a bar—as if in yet another attempt to find something. And there, amid the laughter and chatter of a new group, you caught a glimpse of him—Nicholas. He had changed dramatically: he had become stronger, more well-groomed, more handsome, but his eyes remained the same—black, mesmerizing. He exuded charisma and confidence, and suddenly butterflies fluttered inside you, just like the first time you met him.

Nicholas sat down with your group and charmed everyone. But you couldn't understand why he wasn't looking at you. When everyone's attention waned a bit, he suddenly said firmly in a low voice:

— Let's go outside.

You followed him, unsure what to expect. Outside, he lit a cigarette, not even looking at you at first, and then draped his jacket over your shoulders—you were standing there, lightly dressed and freezing. This gesture sparked hope in you: what if he still loved you?

The silence between you was oppressive. You wanted to tell him everything: how you suffered without him, how you couldn't find happiness, how you achieved success. You were about to speak, but Nicholas interrupted you, holding out a cigarette.

— Will you?

And then you remembered: before, he forbade you even to look at cigarettes, saying they were a destructive addiction. But now everything was different. What had changed?

.