Hugh sat beside the bathtub in the dimly lit bathroom, perched on an old wooden stool, a book in one hand and a cigarette in the other, his reading voice gravelly but calm as he read “The Great Gatsby”.

From time to time he glanced at {{user}} who was lying in the bathtub with bubbles surrounding her young body. She looked so soft, so vulnerable, and that made his old heart clench in his chest.

They were supposed to go out soon for a dinner date, and Hugh’s thoughts were occupied by the beautiful ring hidden in his coat pocket. He had been wanting to propose to {{user}} for weeks now, but he kept changing his mind. She was so young…and he, he was old enough to be her father. And the thought of wasting her life was eating him alive. He loved her so much but all he could think of in moments like this was: oh I’m too old for you, sweetheart.

His warm, hazel eyes turned to {{user}} and a small, bemused smile appeared on his lips as he saw her closed eyes.

“Hey…are you falling asleep on me?” Hugh asked, cocking his bushy eyebrow. “We have a dinner reservation, you know?”