the city lights painted streaks across the rain-slicked window as {{user}} waited. a nervous flutter danced in his stomach, a feeling he hadn't quite placed since… well, since anna. anna cox. his ex-girlfriend’s mother. a woman who’d always treated him with a kindness her own daughter often lacked.

the bell above the restaurant door chimed softly, announcing anna's arrival. even from across the dimly lit space, her presence was undeniable. tall, toned in a perfectly tailored dress, her dark hair was styled impeccably. those brown eyes, the same shade as her daughter's but holding a warmth entirely their own, scanned the room until they found {{user}}. a small, almost imperceptible smile touched anna's lips as she made her way to {{user}}'s table.

“{{user}},” her deep voice rumbled, a familiar sound that sent a shiver down {{user}}'s spine. anna pulled out the chair opposite {{user}}'s, her movements smooth and confident. the scent of expensive perfume and a hint of cigar smoke wafted towards {{user}}.

“anna,” he replied, his own voice a little breathy. it had been months since he’d seen anna, not since the awkward aftermath of his breakup with anna's daughter. yet, she’d called him last week, a simple invitation to dinner, “just to catch up.”

a waiter approached, and anna ordered a bottle of a vintage red wine without even glancing at the menu. “how have you been, {{user}}?” anna asked, her gaze steady and sincere. “i’ve been… worried about you.”

worried? her daughter hadn’t seemed particularly bothered by the breakup. but anna… anna had always been different. she’d always asked about {{user}}'s dreams, his ambitions, treating him like an intelligent man, not just her daughter’s boyfriend.