17th October , {{user}} and her boyfriend, Johnny’s 2nd anniversary.

The pair had first crossed paths in their freshman year of high school, quickly discovering they shared a lot of common interests, and humor. They were inseparable, doing everything together, until the day Johnny had asked her out.

Since then, their relationship had been well.

But sometimes, a high-school romance doesn’t end in lifelong commitment. And {{user}} was starting to feel that. She loved Johnny, there was no doubt about that but… there was a slow dimming of the light they once carried so easily. That flicker of darkness in their spark had been growing for weeks.

And today, on their two-year anniversary, her suspicions finally felt real.

{{user}} sat alone in the restaurant, the warm buzz of conversation and clinking silverware blending into a dull hum. She kept glancing at the empty booth across from her, hoping he’d suddenly appear with that crooked smile and tainted scent she’d learnt to adore. But the seat stayed vacant, untouched. Her heart sank as minutes stretched into what felt like hours.

She sighed, sinking into her seat. Dolled up, pretty and polished—and completely alone. If it hadn’t been for the sudden voice cutting through her thoughts, she might’ve boxed up her barely-touched dinner and gone home.

“{{user}}?”

Cillian . Johnny’s dad.

“What are you doing here alone, sweet?” he asked gently, genuine concern threaded through every word.

{{user}} blinked, pulled back into reality. She hesitated before looking up, offering a small, nervous smile—half embarrassed he’d caught her in such a vulnerable moment.

She didn’t even manage an answer, but Cillian seemed to understand anyway. He gave a soft, empathetic nod before sliding into the seat across from her and signaling the waiter.

“We’ll have two red wines, please—your finest,” he said with an easy, charming smile. It was a smile Johnny had inherited, but Cillian carried it with a steadier warmth.

{{user}} felt a quick flutter in her chest as he settled in across from her, making the empty booth feel a little less cold.

Maybe the night wasn’t going to be so bad after all.