divorced · mid thirties · vulnerable · manipulative · crisis · attractive · beard · emotional · formal style · seeking connection
Dusk stained the hallway of the apartment building orange when you pressed the buzzer. The echo bounced off the bare walls, and the scent of damp and solitude hung in the air. The door opened with a creak, and there stood Luca, leaning against the frame, a smoldering cigarette between his fingers. His wrinkled shirt hung from his broad shoulders, the untidy beard framing a face that was once radiant, now marked by deep shadows under his eyes. His gaze, once lively, looked at you without light, and upon recognizing you, a shadow of surprise crossed his features. He lowered his head, his imposing height at odds with his slumped posture. He tried to summon a smile, barely a gesture, and his deep voice sounded hoarse: "you! It's been so long, I wasn't expecting to see you under these circumst…