It was 6:20 in the afternoon. The light was fading, and the air was getting colder. An unusual sight presented itself: an old restaurant nestled between a park and an apartment block.
Outside, a couple of tables were set, and at one, three people were engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion, judging by their expressions and solemn tones.
However, as one drew closer, it became clear that the topic was anything but important; in fact, it was rather… stupid?
As the restaurant owner retreated, having overheard the group's conversation, one of the friends burst into tears.
"That's exactly why I'm always single! I'm completely surrounded by jerks, and it's impossible to date a decent one! How could I be the one at fault?!" a man in his twenties cried loudly, his voice audible throughout the entire neighborhood.
"I still believe that you're the problem. How could anyone want to date you if you haven't worked on your personality?" replied the other man, his expression serious and his face clearly exhausted.
"How could you be so mean! Why do you think I'm the problem? Even if I had a bad attitude, which I don't, I'd still be popular because of my looks! Can't you see?!" added Lucian, taking another sip of beer.
John chimed in, "That I can admit, but really, could you please stop complaining? I'm tired after working non-stop since yesterday. I can't stand listening to your voice anymore!"
"Hey man, don't be so harsh on him… The poor soul can't get over his last breakup. He was really invested, only for the other party to end up cheating on him," said the only woman among the two boys.
"Ugh, really, I don't understand what I did wrong…" muttered Lucian, "He said that I was really clingy and that I probably had an abandonment trauma or something of the kind. I mean, can you imagine?! What's that supposed to mean??"
"Hahaha!! I actually can… Ow! What's your problem!"
At that moment, before John could finish his sentence, Linda grabbed the empty bowl that had held chips and hit him on the head with it.
"Don't listen to him, he's actually jealous because nobody wants to date him," Linda muttered, giving John a piercing glare. He, in turn, only offered a confused look of disbelief.
Linda calmly grabbed another chip and looked at Lucian. "I'll say this because I'm your friend, but you should really stop looking for a boyfriend as if your life depends on it," she remarked, crossing her arms.
"That's why you always end up dating weirdos. You really just date anyone that grabs your attention."
Even though Lucian was sulking and shaking his head in disapproval, he knew she was right. But he couldn't help it. Just the thought of remaining alone and single scared him.
'Maybe I really do have some problem after all…' Lucian thought a little unmotivated.
Once home, Lucian went directly to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. He was quite drunk, mumbling to himself that no matter what, he was still going to find himself a pretty new boyfriend soon, completely ignoring what his friend had just told him moments ago.
'Hehe, I'm going to make sure this time he's an extremely handsome one. At least a head taller than me, really fit and caring. If financially stable, even better, and with a clear background! Yes, that's right! This time I won't settle for less.'
Through all his dating experiences, Lucian never truly understood what it was like to date a normal person. He would often find himself dating people with a lot of loans, aggressive behavior, or, like in this case, completely uninterested in him.
Having grown up without the love of his parents or experiencing the warmth of a loving family, he believe that at the end of the day, it was possible to find that missing feeling elsewhere.
Just as he was getting ready to go to bed, his phone started to ring, and, as if summoned by his thoughts of family, his father was calling him.
'Oh, it's Dad…' Hesitating a bit, he picked up and put his phone to his ear.
"Hi, Father…" he said, his voice stiffening, while thinking what he could probably want since a call from him was a rare occurrence.
"Tsk. And here I thought you wouldn't have answered the call," annoyed, his father scolded him while grinding his teeth. "Make yourself at least a little useful and help your father," he added with a mischievous tone.
'Right... that's more like it,' he thought. There's no way that his father would have called him to know how he was doing.
"Yes, Father, tell me what you need." Nevertheless, he was still a reliable son.
"Do you remember the family that used to invite us to their house?" he continued, "You know, the one with the fancy mansion. You used to play a lot with their kid," he said while cleaning his ear with his little finger.
Lucian was a little surprised because it had been a long time since he last met them. After a certain accident occurred, he had lost all contact with them.
"Nathan..." he couldn't help but mumble nostalgically that boy's name.
His father, remembering his name, shouted "Yes! That was his name!! Now I remember. Anyway, the thing is that they just called and, apparently, their son recently had some kind of accident that put his life in a pretty dangerous situation. He is confined to a bed at a hospital."
"What!?" Lucian yelled as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Suddenly, a look of concern started to appear on his delicate face.
"I heard their situation is pretty bad. His father, Dr. Hilman, died recently as well, and now his company is in disarray. They don't know what to do without their director. Hahaha...quite funny, isn't it?" He was laughing at the situation, mocking the family, as it seemed they would no longer maintain the high image they used to have.
"They actually want you to pay a visit to the hospital. His mother said that your presence was necessary...?" He explained, frowning, curious.
"Why would they need me there?" Lucian said, perplexed by the request, while fidgeting his fingers nervously.
"And how would I know?" replied his father, annoyed. "Just listen to them and pay his son a visit. Don't be so stubborn!"
Lucian was debating whether or not he should go. It would be awkward for him to suddenly meet them after all those years. Even more awkward to meet their son.
'See him again...' Lucian paced around his room, unsure if he really wanted to go. "But if what my father said is true, then I should go check on him..." he murmured.
'Right! It's just a visit~ I just want to know what happened to him, nothing more!' Repeated Lucian in his mind as if trying to convince himself of something.
"Okay, Father, don't worry! I'll make sure to go to the hospital as soon as I can!"