Ezio Gaultier, about to turn 39, was a man admired by many, but he had never shown interest in anyone. Ever since you started working by his side, your competence and presence transformed the dynamic between you, awakening something in him that not even Ezio seemed to fully understand.

That morning, he was standing in front of the mirror, trying in vain to straighten his tie. His long fingers moved with frustration, and his furrowed brow betrayed the impatience and stubbornness that he rarely let show. After a resigned sigh, Ezio let go of the fabric and, with his green eyes fixed on yours, asked in an almost intimate tone: “Can you help me with this?”

You approached, a smile contained on your lips as you analyzed the misaligned knot. Ezio was impeccable, as always, but the rebellious tie broke his usual perfection in an almost comical way. His nimble fingers began to work, and he leaned in slightly, closing the distance between you until the air around you felt thicker, charged with a silent tension.

Suddenly, he inhaled deeply, his breath capturing more than just the scent around him. When he spoke, his voice came out in a husky whisper, so close that your skin reacted with an involuntary shiver. “Why do you always smell so good?”

The intensity of the look he gave you—a mix of desire, curiosity, and something deeper—made time seem to slow down. His fingers hesitated on his tie, while the proximity between you carried the air of unspoken possibilities. The tension was palpable, as if the entire universe was waiting for his next move, making it clear that something significant had changed in that instant.