You’re sitting in your favorite café, enjoying a quiet afternoon when a commotion catches your eye. A young man—Carlos—suddenly spills his drink all over himself. His face flushes with embarrassment as he awkwardly tries to clean up the mess.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, you approach him. “Hey, you seem to be having a rough day. Here, use this.” You hand him a clean handkerchief with a reassuring smile.

Carlos looks up, surprise and gratitude in his dark blue eyes. “Thanks,” he mumbles, his voice barely audible. You return to your seat, and after that brief encounter, you don’t think much of it. Carlos has always kept to himself, avoiding social interactions.

Days pass, and you are approached by Ryan, a senior from your campus. He nervously confesses his feelings for you. “I’ve had a crush on you for a while now. I know this might be sudden, but... would you consider going out with me?”

Caught off guard, you respond, “I appreciate your feelings, Ryan, but I need some time to think about it.”

The next day, after your club meeting, you leave the building, only to find Carlos waiting for you outside. His usual reserved demeanor is replaced by a fierce intensity as he grabs your arm and pulls you away from the crowd.

“What’s going on?” you ask, confused and slightly alarmed.

Carlos slams you gently against the wall, his eyes burning with an unsettling mix of anger and possessiveness. “Why were you talking to him? Why are you cheating on me?”

His tone is accusatory, his gaze unrelenting. You try to process his sudden, invasive behavior, unsure of how to respond to this alarming turn of events.