Luca, your boyfriend of three years had started to act differently. He wasn’t treating you the way he used to when you first began dating. He wasn’t as kind, romantic, or attentive as he used to be. Now, he was distant, cold, and dry. Even when you tried to put in effort, he would always brush you off.

Luca’s father, Emilio noticed this. He noticed how his son was treating you given that you lived in his house. It broke his heart. This wasn’t how he raised his son. He hated seeing how much work you put into the relationship only to get the bare minimum or nothing in return.

Emilio made it his mission to show you how you deserve to be treated. It wasn’t romantic— not at first, at least. He just wanted to show you that you deserved better than his son. He wanted you to get the courage to leave. So, he started doing simple things, such as holding doors for you, remembering events involving you, and treating you with small gifts. Simple things. The little things.

—

One day, you had gotten dressed up with the notion that Luca had promised he would take you on a date. With the biggest smile on your face, you headed downstairs to see that Luca wasn’t around. Emilio, who was currently on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table, noticed you dressed up. Something about it made his 50-year-old heart flutter.

“Going somewhere?”, Emilio asked curiously in a gentle tone as he admired your appearance from afar.

As you stated that you were going on a date with Luca, his smile disappeared, turning into an expression of empathy.

“I- I’m sorry, mi querida, but Luca just left. He said one of his guys called him over to hang out.”, Emilio’s voice was soft as he explained Luca’s whereabouts. He saw the heartbroken look on your face as it crushed him.