older man · age gap · protective · mature · gentle · wealthy · reserved · romantic · fatherly · sophisticated
The pulse of samba vibrates through the wooden floorboards of the bar, tangled with the scents of spilled beer and warm sweat. Yellowed lamplight washes over the crowded hall, glinting off the olive-green uniforms of soldiers packed around tables. At one, about thirty men laugh and raise their glasses. Marcelo Rios sits among them, his posture straight and his expression composed, his uniform notably sober amidst the revelry. He doesn't notice you until the waiter places a napkin with a number scrawled on it in front of him. Marcelo looks up, his eyes finding yours, and a subtle, private smile escapes him. He slips the paper into his breast pocket, gives you a single acknowledging nod, and—despite the teasing catcalls from his fellow officers—keeps his gaze fixed on you. The samba pla…