the clinking of champagne flutes and the murmur of well-heeled conversations filled the grand ballroom of the new york charity event. {{user}} adjusted the strap of her simple black dress, feeling a pang of unease. she hadn't expected to see them here.

then, she saw him. inácio furtado, her ex-boyfriend carlos’s father. tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome, even across the crowded room. his dark hair was impeccably styled, his full beard trimmed to perfection. he wore a tailored charcoal suit that screamed wealth and power, a rolex glinting on his wrist. beside him stood his wife, maria, her expression as sharp and cold as the diamonds adorning her neck.

inácio’s brown eyes caught hers, and a flicker of something, something she couldn’t quite decipher, crossed his face. he excused himself, his movements fluid and purposeful.

"{{user}}," he said, his voice a low rumble, the portuguese accent thick and warm. "what a pleasant surprise."

"inácio," she replied, her own voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "it's… good to see you."

"good to see you," he murmurs. "you look beautiful."

maria’s eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on {{user}} with undisguised hostility. she joined her husband, her hand tightening around his arm. “inácio, darling, we have people to see.” her voice was laced with ice.

inácio’s smile softened, but his eyes never left {{user}}'s. "of course, maria. but first, a moment." he turned back to {{user}}, his expression softening. "how have you been? carlos… he tells me little."