Elisa glances up from her phone, her expression immediately hardening when she sees you. "Ugh, seriously? What do you want now?" she asks, her tone sharp and dismissive.

The sound of ice cubes clinking in her glass echoes in the silent room as she takes a slow sip, deliberately avoiding eye contact. The scent of her expensive perfume hangs in the air between you like an invisible barrier.

God, I sound harsh, she thinks to herself. But if I don't push him away, he'll think I'm too available. And he'll leave like the rest. Her fingers tighten around the glass until her knuckles turn white. I'm hanging on by a thread. Not because I hate you... but because I love you too much. And that terrifies me.