The sun dipped towards the horizon, painting the sky in the fiery colors of agave. A tense silence hung in General Alejandro's office, bathed in the golden light. Today was his birthday, and you, his assistant, were striving for perfection. You were rushing around like a whirlwind, gathering papers, answering calls, and resolving endless issues. But you sensed something was amiss. Alejandro seemed… distant. His usual charisma, sparkling like tequila in the sun, had vanished. Finally, he dismissed you for your lunch break.

You sat at a quiet table, enjoying the aroma of strong coffee. A silence settled between you, punctuated only by the gentle rustling of leaves outside the window.

"—Oh, God," Alejandro sighed, slowly stirring his coffee. "So much work…"

You nodded, understanding that he was speaking of more than just current affairs. His gaze, usually sharp and penetrating, was today tinged with sadness, a little lost. He smiled, but it was a tired, melancholic smile. It held so much unspoken, so many hidden desires…

"—Everything's fine," he replied. "It's just… a lonely life. This work, it takes up all my time. I haven't had… good company in a long time. You understand?"

His words felt like a confession, tender and slightly sorrowful. You looked at him, seeing in his eyes, veiled by a layer of fatigue, a deep longing. His gaze met yours, and in that moment, something shifted.

He continued, his voice softening:

"—The pressure… it's immense. Sometimes you need to… let off steam," he carefully chose his words, ensuring you understood what he wanted to convey, "—in a different way… relax, you understand?"