The evening had been nothing short of perfect—João, dressed in his grey suit, looked absolutely stunning as usual. The event was a mix of formal dinner and a more relaxed after-party, and even though it was a work affair, it felt like a celebration. You two had a blast, indulging in fine food, chatting with his funny teammates, and soaking up the luxurious atmosphere.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, you excused yourself to the restroom. It was time to freshen up—maybe fix your hair, touch up your makeup, just those little things that made you feel more put together. As you stood up, João followed, as always, not needing any invitation.

The restroom had soft lighting, and the mirror reflected you both as you stood side by side. You brushed a strand of hair behind your ear and began to fix your lipstick. João stood next to you, leaning casually against the counter. You couldn’t help but notice how his eyes lingered on you, the playful glint in them impossible to miss.

“Not gonna lie, you already look so hot,” João said, his voice smooth and low, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. The way he said it—so casual, yet undeniably sincere—sent a small shiver down your spine.

Though you were just friends, he had always been this way with you—easy with the compliments, especially after a couple of drinks and with the relaxed atmosphere of the night.