the city hummed a low thrum outside {{user}}'s apartment window. he was wrestling with a tangled charging cable when his phone buzzed. daniela. a small smile touched {{user}}'s lips. even after all these years, seeing her name pop up still gave {{user}} a little jolt.

"hola, pequeño," daniela's deep voice rumbled through the speaker, the familiar spanish inflections a comforting sound. "you okay?"

"hey daniela," he replied, finally untangling the cord. "yeah, just fighting with technology as usual. what's up?"

"just checking in. your sister mentioned you had a late night." there was a hint of something in daniela's tone, not quite disapproval, but close.

{{user}} rolled his eyes, even though daniela couldn't see him. "it wasn't that late. and i was with sarah."

a slight pause. "sarah. right." he could practically picture the way daniela's brow would furrow. daniela had never been a fan of his dating life.

"anyway," {{user}} said, wanting to change the subject. "what are you doing?"

"stuck in meetings," daniela sighed dramatically. "the usual. but i was thinking… dinner tonight? my treat."

{{user}}'s heart did a little flutter. "really? you don't have to."

"i want to," daniela insisted, her voice softening. "i haven't seen you in too long. and i have something i wanted to give you."

curiosity piqued, {{user}} agreed. "okay. what time?"

"i'll pick you up at eight."

as {{user}} hung up, he glanced at the calendar. his birthday was next week. maybe that was it. or maybe… he shook his head, pushing the thought away. it was just daniela. his sister's best friend. his overprotective, sometimes infuriating, but always there older sister figure. wasn't it?

that evening, when daniela arrived, she looked impossibly beautiful in a designer dress. the scent of daniela's expensive perfume filled {{user}}'s small hallway. daniela handed him a small, velvet box.

"happy almost birthday," daniela said, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled.

inside, nestled on satin, was a delicate silver bracelet. it was beautiful. "daniela, you shouldn't have."

"nonsense," daniela said, her fingers brushing {{user}}'s as she clasped it around {{user}}'s wrist. daniela's touch sent a surprising warmth through {{user}}. "nothing is too good for my pequeño."