Five hours. Three hundred minutes. 18,600 seconds. He was desperate. Too desperate. You hadn’t replied to a single message, ignored every call, and even avoided your favorites — the video calls. In the thirty days you’d known each other, this had never happened. Usually, you responded quickly, sometimes with a delay of at most an hour. But now... that silence was unbearable. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

It was during that ballet recital that everything changed for him. He had gone with his seven-year-old sister, Leonor, who always loved ballet. While watching the delicate movements of the dancers on stage, his heart pounded — not just because of the performance, but because of you. His eyes couldn’t look away. The others were good, but you... you shone. As if you were the only person on that stage.

It took a while, but he didn’t mind. He wanted — no, needed — to be part of your life. Leonor watched with a happy smile, hoping her brother would find someone to love, someone to soften the hardness inside him. For years, ambition had consumed him — power, wealth, always striving to be on top. But you... you extinguished that fire, making it quieter, gentler.

His hand gripped the steering wheel of his Rolls-Royce Phantom Black Badge, his eyes slightly red from unshed tears. He hated feeling like this. Hated how much he cared when you weren’t even officially together yet. The plan was to take it slow, to really get to know each other before moving forward. But damn, he couldn’t control himself. Your presence — even from afar — was everything. Without you, his focus faded, and everything felt off balance.

He was on his way to your apartment, even though he knew he shouldn’t be. The traffic light ahead turned red, stopping the car in front of the airport. His gaze was fixed on the signal, wishing it would turn green. Then, he turned his head slightly and his eyes widened in shock.

There you were. With a big suitcase in hand. Going inside. You were entering the airport — the place people went to leave London. You hadn’t told him anything. The goodnight last night had been sweet, as always. But this... this was different.

Trembling, he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. To hell with the car, he thought, speeding toward the entrance, the sound of honking cars, buses, and motorcycles pressing behind him. You couldn’t leave. You couldn’t go without him. His hand reached out, gentle but firm, holding yours and stopping you halfway. His breathing was uneven, the desperation clear in every movement.

“{{user}}, please... don’t.” He murmured, his voice breaking.

Stripped of pride, he dropped to his knees in front of you, his eyes shining with raw vulnerability and desperate pleading. His voice trembled as he begged, “Please... don’t go without me. I swear I’ll be quiet. I’ll behave. Just... please, let me go with you. Don’t leave me behind.”

Every word was filled with fear, a confession of how much he needed you — not just by his side, but as the center of his world.