year

n

searching for someone interesting among the many girls lounging around the deck of the massive, luxurious

bout a boat ride to

to get all sand

, my best friend and regular

omplained, rolling his eyes. "You'r

d sarcastically, taking the opportunity to call out t

ungers, enjoying the sea breeze. Tony probably went ahead with his p

m off. Yet luck wasn't on my side that after

co this weekend," Anneliese brought up the

't miss it," I repeated the same answer as before, ev

perfect picture of stunning beauty. But like me, Anneliese had never gotten seriously involved with anyone. We're very c

liese complained, sitting in the chair next to me. "If w

I'm sure of that," I said, pushing my sports sungl

bikini and sunglasses that covered nearly her whole face.

his to you, Anton," she s

, and I accepted the drink but didn't take a sip. I'd never trust s

I asked, just o

er her name in

call me Pam," she sai

he scene, seemed to get exasperated at tha

I'm in no mood t

ondering why she was so upset. Meanwhile, the girl placed herself

me?" I said to the girl, who eagerly accepted

with a seductive smile, and

you invite your f

me company in my private cabi

*

spent the night with were already gone, and I found myself alone in my cabin. As I stared at my

me the same satisfaction as before. Once again, I confirmed that Pietra had always been right about me. I was the playboy

le I remained stuck in my self-destructive cycle. But, as I had done for years, I reflected on the same que

eck, where a few people were scattered around the benches. Everyone looked

the chair next to me. "Thinking about having

ter his father's untimely death, I was still free to enjoy a carefree life, as my

oday?" Tony asked, giv

ents and then I'm going

med. "See you tomorrow nig

just skip the event, even when I don't feel like going. Erica has become

of cou

us, and we made plans for the next weekend. A few hours later, I was already in my car, dr

of treating people, her determination to follow her dreams... all o

a boyfriend, and I didn't even try to reach out again. At the time, her rejection devastated me, and I chose to

a's name echoed as the answer to the emptiness in my chest. Maybe, deep down in m

didn't try to correct my route and just drove through random streets in São Paulo. Judging by the increasingly

d, perplexed, and saw that the fuel gauge was empty. I sighed, realizing that my lack of atten

few people curiously watching, probably surprised to see a luxury car stopped in a

erved the reality of the people living there. Children playing in simple parks, people ch

n and ask for directions, and when I did, I was greeted by a kind, smiling elderly woman,

anked her, and before leaving, I decided to order a coffee. I rea

out, something that was hard not to notice. "I

eed readily. "I just r

ent through a discreet door behind the counter. I only noticed the waitress ap

sir?" a famili

de me. A suffocating anxiety swept through my who

asked with