Sitting by the hotel pool, the sky above us was already slowly darkening. The lights around us began to turn on, reflecting in the water and drawing golden shapes that danced in the breeze. There was a comfortable silence between Hugo and me, as if neither of us wanted to break the magic of that moment.
I was surprised at how comfortable I felt beside him. Few people managed to reach me—even fewer managed to make me lower my guard. But Hugo... he was different. The kind of man who didn't invade, just approached slowly, leaving trails of tenderness and curiosity.
"I've talked so much about myself," I murmured, still looking at the water, "but you've told me so little about your life."
He smiled, resting his arms behind his body.
"Maybe I'm waiting for the right moment for you to discover that I'm much less interesting than I seem."
I turned my face to him, narrowing my eyes.
"I highly doubt that."
He stared at me for a few seconds before giving in.
"Alright. My full name is Hugo Xavier. I'm 30 years old. I graduated in Law, but I hardly work in the area. My father, Ivan Xavier, owns a company called X-Gold Corporation. We work with mining and exporting precious metals."
"Mining?" I repeated, surprised.
"Gold, silver, platinum... metals that are worth as much as they can destroy lives," he replied, with a slightly enigmatic tone in his voice. "I grew up surrounded by this universe. Offices, meetings with investors, contracts, absurd figures."
"And do you like it?"
He took a deep breath, looking at the sky.
"I like what it represents. I like being able to take care of my mother. To be able to provide comfort. But sometimes I feel like... I'm just fulfilling the destiny that was written by someone else."
His gaze met mine, and there was something there. Something deeper, darker... but he didn't say it. And I didn't ask.
"And you?" he continued, with a slight smile. "Have you ever thought about running away from your own story?"
"Every day," I replied without hesitation.
We were silent again, the kind of silence that says more than a thousand words.
Then he moved a little closer. Just enough for me to feel his breath.
"Helena..." he said, in a low, almost reverent tone. "You are different from anything I've ever known."
I felt my heart race, but my body remained still. This was dangerous. He was dangerous. Not in a cruel way—but in a way that could make me feel. And I was afraid of that.
"I'm not made for these things, Hugo," I whispered.
"What things?"
"To feel. To get attached. To trust..."
"I'm not asking you for all that," he said, gently. "Just a moment. A now."
And then he moved closer. His eyes were fixed on mine, as if asking for permission before even attempting any movement. I could back away. I could turn my face away and go back to my solitary fortress.
But I didn't turn away.
When our lips touched, it was as if a silent thunder crossed my body. There was no rush, no urgency. Just delicacy and presence. A kiss that didn't want to prove anything, just say: I'm here.
And I let him stay.
But, deep down, there was something he wasn't telling me yet. Something that shone in his eyes when he talked about his father, the company, the responsibility.
After the kiss, we were silent for a few minutes, just watching the sky and listening to the distant sound of the city. Neither of us wanted to break that moment, but we knew the night wasn't over yet.
"I'm going up," I said, getting up. "I need to change. Shall we meet in the restaurant?"
Hugo nodded with a smile. "I'll be there in thirty minutes. And I'm curious to see you out of the relentless lawyer suit."
"Be careful what you wish for," I joked, already turning my back, with my heart racing.
In the room, I let the hot water from the shower run over my skin, trying to calm down. The truth is that kiss moved me more than I would like to admit. Inside, a part of me screamed to keep my distance. But another... wanted to find out how far Hugo could go.
I chose a long black satin dress, with thin straps and a discreet neckline. The kind of clothes that revealed elegantly and suggested without vulgarity. I pinned my hair in a low bun, with some loose strands around my face. Light makeup, just to enhance my eyes and lips. When I looked in the mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. There was softness in my reflection. A different glow.
And, for the first time in a long time, I liked what I saw.
As I went down to the restaurant, I spotted Hugo at the table, wearing a light suit and an unbuttoned shirt. He saw me first—and his eyes widened as if he had forgotten to breathe.
"Wow..." was all he managed to say as I approached.
"I hope that means 'you look beautiful'."
He laughed, getting up to pull out my chair.
"It means I should be wearing a bulletproof vest, because you just hit me hard."
I sat down, trying to hide the blush rising on my cheeks.
Dinner was light, tasty, full of laughter and silent looks that spoke more than words. At some point, he touched my hand on the table, and the gesture was so natural that I didn't even try to back away.
When dessert arrived, the restaurant was already emptier, the soft music filled the room, and the atmosphere was almost intimate.
"Helena..." he began, holding my hand firmly, but without pressure. "I know we're still getting to know each other. But... tonight, do you want to stay with me?"
My eyes locked onto his. There was desire, yes, but also affection and respect. And that's exactly why I took a deep breath before answering.
"Hugo..." I began, softly. "You are incredible. And tonight was perfect. But... I'm not the kind of woman who makes this kind of decision on impulse."
He nodded slowly, but didn't let go of my hand.
"I don't want something fleeting. And... as intense as everything is, we still know little about each other. This step, for me, is serious. And I'm not ready."
Hugo looked at me silently for a few seconds, and then smiled—a serene smile, without disappointment.
"Thank you for trusting me enough to say that. And for letting me be a part of your night, even if only until here."
My heart squeezed with his delicacy. I wasn't used to men like that. With patience, with calm. With men who knew how to wait.
"Do you still want to walk a little?" I asked, trying to ease the tension.
"With you? Always," he replied, getting up and offering his arm.
And that's how we ended the night: side by side, walking through the silent corridors of the hotel, with slow steps and restless hearts, as if we were dancing.
I am Hugo Xavier 29 years old
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