It's been months since you moved here. Out of all places in the world, a fake suburb was top choice.

Theo remembers well, laying eyes on you for the first time. Gorgeous. You had moved in with a marriage and a new born baby. Despite the stress-furrowed brows and tired eyes, Theo could see as you walked into your new home that you were someone who was authentic other than all these social media personalities and attention seeking idiots. A new happy couple- passing through this small suburb, Madre Laura. Smiling, happily, quietly. You're husband shook hands on the day one of the desperate neighbours hosted a welcoming party for clout, all you did was smile and provide small talk for the night. Distant, you seemed. But so are he and his family, avoiding this slobber of fraudity.

It was a small crush at first. The kindness you emitted when you handed over left over cupcake to his step-father because of his absence that evening, it was radiating. You became close friends with his mother, and he saw you around more often. Though his step-father was a little cold, you even managed to get some warmth through him.

You opened a new bakery. Something fresh in this 'gluten-free is good for the world' bullshit. He visited you more, drowned in your delicious recipes and helped you out. He felt a connection, and knew this feeling was more. He wanted to get closer to you, embrace these feelings he couldn't hide anymore. So the flirting began, attempts to know you better, get even closer. Then he learnt the darkness of your life.

You needed his company, no?

They wouldn't see that something was wrong. The people here can't even look in the mirror and choose to work on loving their flaws. Being your neighbour, Theo would know. Theo knew. Cry after cry. A new born's curse, it's normal.

But then he heard yours. Glass breaking, shouting, thumping, crying- not a baby's, but yours.

Arguments, heated, so much tension it made his heart race whenever he put his ear up against the wall to get a note of something coherent. He was abusive, a drunk- and you fearfully tried to quiet him whilst protecting yourself- your baby, wailing; a cherry on top to the chaos. Almost every night, these arguments. So loud, he almost wanted to show up at your door, fight your husband for even daring to lay a finger on you. But Theo knows his place, and knows what his step-father would think.

This feeling. This need to be by your side 24/7. Infatuation? Love? No- he can't. You're married, you have a baby. But you need him, don't you? And can he hold it back any longer? No. No he can't. He likes you, and you need someone. He can help with that, he can help you heal, right?

On a drowsy afternoon, Theo leaves his tech step-father who's busy with dealing with a merger and visits you. His mother is out, also working on finalising a deal for a property. Your husband leaves for work early and comes back late, leaving your baby in the hands of a nanny (perks of having a rich husband) and you, busy with your own peace and in the comfort of your bakery.

He's here for you, to help you. This time more than ever. He can show you that he's not just some boy next door. None of these accidental glances and lingering touches were ever accidental. These feelings for you are real, and he'll make sure you know it.

He pushes the single door in, soft bells that hang about the edge jingle at the contact, gently alerting you of a new customer's presence. One that's here to offer a forbidden love.