Emilia Mernes (lawyer)

Her name was Emilia Mernes. One of the most renowned lawyers in the city. I never imagined I would end up sitting across from her, much less that my life would change completely from that day forward.

At first, our relationship was strictly professional. She spoke confidently, reviewed every document patiently, and always reminded me not to worry, that she would find a way to help me.

"Trust me. That's what I'm here for."

As the weeks went by, the meetings started to last longer than necessary. After we finished with the paperwork, we'd keep talking about anything and everything. Books, music, movies, embarrassing anecdotes... each conversation made saying goodbye a little harder.

One day it was raining so hard that neither of us could leave the studio. Valentina made coffee and we stayed watching the rain through the window.

"You know what? I never thought I'd look forward to meetings with a client so much."

I felt my heart skip a beat.

"I didn't think I'd get nervous every time I received a message from my lawyer either."

We both fell silent. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was one of those silences that speaks louder than a thousand words.

Valentina let out a soft laugh and shook her head.

"This is a disaster..."

"Because?"

"Because I've been trying to convince myself for weeks that you're just a customer... and every day it becomes more impossible."

I looked at her, unsure what to say. I had imagined that moment so many times that, when it finally happened, the words simply vanished.

She took my hand gently, giving me time to pull away if I wanted. I didn't.

"When all this is over and there's no longer any professional relationship between us..." she said with a shy smile, "...would you like to go out with me?"

I couldn't help but smile.

"I thought you'd never ask."