Never too late to love

Manuel took a headache pill. He had gone too far with the drinks and, to make matters worse, he was dragged to the house of one of his suitors to give him a night of pleasure and lust.

A man with brown hair was sleeping next to him. Manuel looked at him with annoyance and thought: "I did it again. If Darío wasn't so persistent... at least he's a handsome man. Damn! I'm already looking like Milo!"

Your phone number is. Manuel answered the call, while he felt his lover move.

- Manuel! How was the night? - A happy and squeaky voice greeted him from the other side of the line.

- I have a headache - Manuel complained - It's your fault for making me drink so much. Where are you?

- I'm outside, waiting for you. You're going out?

- Yes, I already left. See you.

Manuel hung up, got dressed and left the room. Dario, her lover, seemed to still be asleep. He decided to leave it like that; he didn't want to be detained for even one more second.

Milo Pérez was waiting for him outside. Even though Manuel was two years younger, next to him Milo looked like his younger brother. He was small, thin and had a very fine complexion. Manuel, for his part, was taller and as he always wore a frown, wrinkles formed on his forehead.

- Don't make that face - Milo greeted him - He looks like an old man of forty.

- Manuel responded, hitting him on the head - I don't know why you're dragging me down this path.

- I didn't force you.

- I know. Still, I wish I would stop doing these things.

Milo didn't comment. Deep down, he also wanted to leave that life of debauchery. He was going to graduate soon and had to look for a stable partner. However, she couldn't resist seeing a handsome man. That had always been his weakness and, in the end, he ended up completely regretting it.

- Did you say goodbye to Dario? - Milo asked him, trying to change the subject.

- No - answered Manuel - I was still sleeping when I came out.

- What envy! _ - Milo sighed - He looked very handsome. Furthermore, he seemed to be a man with money.

- I don't like him that much. It's too cold. He spends his time smiling, believing that this way he will attract the boys. But his smile is fake.

- Wow! You are very perceptive!

- And what about you, Milo? Did you spend with anyone last night?

- Actually yes. The problem is that I don't remember his name. I only know that he is an executive who insisted on giving me his phone number. But I'm not going to call him, I feel like he's become obsessed with me.

- He probably thinks you're a high school kid.

- Do not make fun! It's genetics! I already made it clear to him that it would only be for that night and that we would never see each other again. Even so, he continued to insist about the phone.

They both sighed. They knew that sooner or later they would be followed by stalkers. They just hoped that they would get tired of them and leave for other conquests, as always. Still, if things got complicated, they promised to turn to each other to defend themselves.

Manuel López and Milo Pérez studied at the same university, but in different majors. While Manuel studied journalism, Milo turned to editorial design. They met in a bar, when Milo had a problem with one of his sneaky lovers. Manuel hit the subject and took Milo away from there. In the end, they both decided to share the same apartment, in case one of them got into trouble again. That was when they were in the first year of their respective careers. Manuel still remembered the time he was surprised when Milo told him his age. When she rescued him from the stalker, she had scolded him for getting into a dangerous place as a "minor."

- What will you do now? - Milo asked Manuel

- I will be working on my thesis - Manuel responded - but first I will have my breakfast at the café around the corner from home.

- I know why you're going there - Milo told him, touching his cheek in a mischievous way.

- It's not why! - Manuel shouted, blushing completely - It's just... I like the coffee they serve! That's all!

- Do not lie to me! I know that, in front of the coffee shop, there is that pantry where that tall, handsome boy works.

- Well, yes, I admit it. I keep spying on him. But what do you tell me about you! I'm sure you're going to that bookstore now to spy on that guy who works there.

- It is not like this! - Said Milo, who also blushed - well, he's tall and handsome, but he's too "princely" for me. Plus, he's always surrounded by girls. So I have no chance with him.

- The boy in the pantry is the same - Manuel sighed, resigned - he is also surrounded by girls, although he is not "princely." Rather, it conveys a mysterious atmosphere.

Milo laughed. And before Manuel dealt him another blow, he crossed the street at full speed and said to him before leaving:

- Then tell me how it went! See you at the faculty!

Manuel went to the cafeteria to have breakfast. The pantry had just opened and there in front of me was the boy I was spying on.

Actually, she hadn't told Milo that she met that boy a month ago. Manuel had just received the news that his best friend and former love, Sebastián, had become engaged to an English woman, and they would marry very soon in England. Although she already assumed that Sebastián would never reciprocate, the news made her heart hurt so much that she began to cry in the middle of a public square. Sebastián called him on his cell phone to announce the news and, in the end; he had no choice but to cry. This is how that boy from the pantry found him, who, coincidentally, was in the square with some friends playing ball. The ball hit Manuel in the head and caused him to lose consciousness. When he woke up, he found that boy with black hair, blue eyes and a naive look.

- Are you OK? You did not hurt? - The boy asked him.

- Moron! Be more careful! - Manuel shouted, standing up completely. However, he was surprised by how tall the boy was.

- Call the ambulance.

- N... it's not necessary. I'm really fine. Now tell me.

And he ran away from there.

After a month, he started spying on him from the coffee shop. The truth is that he felt like a bully and, at the same time, he felt like a hypocrite when criticizing Milo's bullies. In the end, he wasn't much different from the rest.

When he finished drinking his coffee, he received a call. It was from the library where he had registered. He had become friends with the librarian, so much so that he gave her his number so she could call him every time she had a new book available.

- Mr. López, I'm Celeste Marzorati - the librarian greeted him - I was calling to let you know that I already got the book you had been looking for so much.

- Really? - Manuel said, excited - I'm going to stop by tomorrow. Today I am very busy with my thesis and I must deliver some reports.

- Don't worry; I'll keep it for you. I hope your thesis goes well.

- Thank you. Have a good day.

When he hung up, he was surprised to find that the pantry boy was inside the cafeteria, staring at him with a smile.

Has always felt attracted to men. More so, for the tall and handsome ones. And that boy who worked in the bookstore where he bought his books had all the physical characteristics that drove him completely crazy.

Unlike Manuel, Milo never truly fell in love. She remembered having boyfriends in high school, but their relationships lasted less than a month. And every time he heard his classmates complain about their romantic relationships, he was sure that stable relationships were not for him.

From high school he went to university. There he rented a room and, during the weekends, he would go to a bar to meet some stranger who would give him a night of affection. The problem was that one of them saw him with another and, even though Milo made it clear that it was just a single night, the guy started hitting him. Luckily, Manuel saved him and took him to his apartment. After a couple of talks, Manuel offered him a room to protect himself from the harassers, on the condition that he pay half of the rent and agree to do the housework that corresponded to him. In the end, Milo accepted. He realized that Manuel was a good person, despite his bad character.

- Luis, you are so tall and handsome.

- Do not you have a girlfriend, Luis?

- Why do you like love books?

- Yeah! It's strange that a boy likes romance!

As usual, the girls couldn't stop hanging out and talking with Luis, who couldn't stop smiling and recommending the romance books he liked. Milo felt very angry. Because of those girls, he couldn't get close to her. It would look very strange, he thought with anguish.

He began to leaf through a few books, while spying on the boy with honey eyes and light brown hair. What I knew about him was that his name was Luis and that in the mornings he worked in the bookstore, since in the afternoon he attended a college entrance course. Or that was what he heard one of the boy's admirers say.

- Mister! Do you need something? - Someone asked him behind his back.

Milo was startled when he saw that it was Luis. Because he was lost in his thoughts, he did not notice that the girls left and Luis came to help him.

- Hey... I wanted to know the price of this book - Milo said, feeling his cheeks turn red - I started reading it and I got hooked on the story.

- Let me see! - Said Luis, who took the book, approached the cashier and checked the price on the computer - it is 20 dollars. You can take our catalog free of charge. And if you want to know about our new acquisitions, just call me. Here you have my card.

- Thank you. Here you have the money.

Milo received the card, which included the full name of the boy he liked.

- "Luis Hernández" - Milo read, once he left the premises - He seems like a good guy, but I'm sure he already has a girlfriend. It's better for him to be with a good girl than with me.

He was about to cross the street when he felt someone holding his arm. She turned around and found the guy she slept with the night before.

- So here you are, bitch! _ - he said, squeezing his arm harder and harder - You can't leave me like this! We were already together a couple of nights! Why don't you go out with me?

- But what are you saying? I do not even know your name!

- How not? I'm Federico! Don't you remember that you said it several times while we were doing it?

Milo got rid of his grip, grabbed Federico by the collar of his shirt and said angrily:

- Just because we did it in a couple of nights doesn't mean we have anything serious. So get lost and leave me in peace!

The pedestrians began to murmur when they saw them fighting. Milo realized that they were attracting attention and decided to flee, but his stalker grabbed his arm again and, this time, he saw that he raised his fist to hit him.

Milo regretted that Manuel was not around. I would surely scold him again if he came home with a black eye. Even so, he had no choice but to close his eyes and wait for the blow.

But that blow did not come. Milo heard people shouting in amazement, so he opened his eyes and saw that the one who stopped the attack was Luis.

- I don't like that they are making a fuss in front of my establishment - Luis said to Federico, showing him a threatening smile - with so much noise you have scared away my customers. So please leave and don't come back. Or I'll have to call the police.

Federico let go of Milo and left, without first casting a look of hatred at Luis. The boy, for his part, approached Milo and asked him:

- Are you OK? Aren't you hurt?

- "I'm fine,"- Milo responded, getting completely nervous seeing him so close. I couldn't help it, he was too handsome.

- Know? It occurred to me that we could have something to drink,- Luis continued. - My shift ends in a few minutes. Don't you have a problem with me accompanying you? I mean, in case that guy comes back again.

- I have no problem - Milo said - I'll wait for you.

Milo didn't know how to react. That boy made him feel things he had never felt for anyone else. He felt like a teenager in love, but he immediately rejected the idea. He was just shocked because Luis saved him. And Luis would do the same with anyone. They would just go out for a drink together and he would leave. In short, he could have all the girls he wanted.

- I'm ready, - Luis said, breaking him out of his thoughts. He took off his work uniform and put on a green jacket with a hood.

- Good. Come on - Milo said, swallowing with nervousness.

And they went together to a bar that was a few blocks away. Nobody said anything. Milo didn't know if he was dreaming or if they were really walking together. Still, he just hoped he wouldn't do something stupid or get into more trouble.

Manuel felt that his heart was beating a thousand miles per hour. The pantry boy was there, staring at him. He hoped that he had not realized that he had been spied on for a month at his workplace.

- I didn't expect to find you here - the boy said to Manuel, approaching him - Do you remember me? I threw a ball at your head.

- Um... yes, I remember - said Manuel, trembling with nervousness - but I'm fine, I've suffered worse things.

- You don't mind if I sit down? I would like to talk to you.

- And what about your work?

- The thing is, I didn't have breakfast and the boss scolded me for that, so he sent me here.

- Well, you can sit down. But I'll leave right away.

- Don't worry. Be brief.

The boy sat on the opposite side of the table. Manuel avoided looking him in the eyes and drank his coffee, so that he wouldn't notice that he had blushed.

- What's your name? - The boy asked - My name is Ariel Gómez. And you? _

- Manuel Lopez.

- Nice to meet you. I wanted to know, López, if you study at the university.

- Yes - Manuel responded, lowering the cup and looking him in the eyes. For a moment, he lost himself in those intense blue eyes, which reflected serenity and purity - I'm studying journalism.

- It already seemed to me - said Ariel, showing him a big smile which made Manuel shudder - I almost always see you here , reading some book and writing notes.

- So you've seen me here before? - Manuel said this time feeling like he was shaking.

- Yeah. _ Almost every day I see that you frequent the cafeteria. I thought I would study close here, although I thought you could go to the library around the corner.

- Hey.... yes, that's right - said Manuel, this time showing a firm and serene voice - I have gotten into the habit of going to the library. I am currently doing my thesis, so I no longer go to school like before. To all this, I would like to know why you wanted to talk to me.

A waitress came over to offer Ariel a coffee. He accepted it and smiled at her, making the waitress blush.

- Can I offer you anything else, sir? - The waitress told him.

- I want some dangos, please - said Ariel.

- As you like, handsome.

Manuel felt like he wanted to yell at the waitress for being shameless, but when he realized that he would look ridiculous, he calmed down again. Deep down, he didn't know why he felt very strange around that boy.

- Well, López, I will soon finish high school and I want to go to university - said Ariel, looking at Manuel seriously - Coincidentally, I want to study journalism like you. And I want to enter one of the best universities in the country. But I don't have the money to pay for an entrance course or hire a private teacher. So I wanted to know if you could help me. I don't know anyone else and I perceive that you are a very intelligent person.

- I'm sorry but I cannot help you. I'm doing my thesis and I have a lot of work.

- Please. I promise you that I will pay you.

- It's not about that - said Manuel, getting up from his place and taking his bag - I seriously don't have time for anything. Find a real teacher; I'm sure there will be one whose cost is not high.

Manuel was about to leave the coffee, when he felt Ariel take his arm.

- Please. I only want you.

Manuel felt like he was getting angry. That boy was very persistent and that filled his patience.

- Let go! _ - Manuel said, trying to free himself, but without success - Look, kid. You and I don't know each other. I don't really know who you are and I don't want to get in trouble. So please find someone else.

- I don't want another person. I only want you!

- Me really angry!

Ariel finally let go of Manuel. At first Manuel was surprised, since he did not expect him to give up so quickly. Then she put her bag back in place and left.

What he did not realize was that, during the struggle, he dropped his student notebook, which contained the address where he lived. Ariel saw it and took it, showing a mischievous smile that no one noticed.

He went back into the cafeteria and savored the dangos, while looking at Manuel's residence address.

- I know you've been spying on me since we met in the park, Manuel López - Ariel thought , still smiling - maybe it was a coincidence that you knew where I worked, but I'm sure it's fate that made us turn back. To find. Well, since you dropped your notebook, I have no choice but to return it to you.

.................................................. ...............

Meanwhile, Milo and Luis were having sodas at the bar. Every time Milo looked at Luis out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to see the stars surrounding him. He noticed her perfect skin, her eyes that reflected the innocence of a teenager who was eagerly entering adulthood, and her full lips, which would take him to immediate ecstasy if he reached them. Kiss.

- Is something wrong with you, Milo? - Luis asked him, seeing that Milo was with his head bowed.

- Nothing's wrong with me - Milo said, showing him a nervous smile.

- Are you still upset about the harassment?

- No! Um... I'm used to it. You see, I've been having casual relationships with some men, but one of them wants us to be real. But I already made it clear to you that that will never be possible. He's good looking, but I'm not in love with him. Do you understand it?

- Yes, I understand - Luis said - I haven't fallen in love either and I've never dated anyone.

- Whaaat? But you do have thousands of admirers! How does someone so handsome not have a girlfriend?

Luis looked at him surprised. Milo realized that he had made a mistake and lowered his head again, so that the boy wouldn't see that he had blushed.

- Hey ...don't think wrong. You are really very handsome. You could have all the girls you wanted.

- Thanks for the compliment - said Luis, showing a smile - I just won't feel that way if I go out with one of my admirers. They only admire my physique, but I want something more. I want them to love me for my personality. I want a person who will accompany me through thick and thin, that we support each other and that we maintain enough trust to form an exciting relationship. Oh, I'm sorry, I've read a lot of romance novels and I feel like I'm boring you with my childish thoughts.

- Not childish! - Milo said, this time looking him straight in the eyes - I, deep down, would also wish to have that kind of relationship. But I think I will never be able to achieve it. I'm too irresponsible.

- For me you are tender.

Milo was surprised by Luis's words. It was the first time I called him "tender." However, his insecurity got the better of him because of what his heart was screaming at him, so he got up from his chair and, looking at him angrily, said:

- Not like being made fun of like that! Just so you know, I will soon be twenty-five years old and graduating from college. How could a man at that age be tender?

Luis almost spit out his drink and looked at Milo in amazement.

- Twenty five years!? ! I thought you were a high school kid!

Milo sighed. In the end, he showed him his ID, making Luis turn red with embarrassment.

- I'm really sorry, Milo! I thought you were younger than me!

- Don't worry - Milo said, regretting having reacted that way - I'm used to it. By the way how old are you?

- I'm eighteen. I am currently trying to get into an arts college. And what are you studying?

- Editorial design. My dream is to work at the publishing house Librófilos, in the romantic novels section.

- So you like romance too? I'm glad we have something in common.

Luis smiled again. This time Milo thought he saw more stars and an aura of light that illuminated the boy. "I was definitely crazy about him"

- Hey ... I have to go - said Milo, crestfallen - I promised Manuel I would prepare lunch.

- Who is Manuel?

- He is a friend. We share an apartment to cover the rental costs. Hey ... it was a pleasure chatting with you.

- Milo, I wish I could see you again - Luis told him seriously - even though you're older, I like you. I feel like we can be very good friends.

- Yeah. I would also like to see you again.

- What if we go out for lunch this weekend? You can bring your friend, because I will also bring mine.

- Do you also share an apartment?

- Yeah! We have been friends since the first year of high school, only he can't afford a private tutor because he is poor. I only have to help him with the department's expenses and wait for him to achieve his goals. I'll give you my number, so you can confirm if you and your friend are going to the exit.

- OK. I'll also give you my number.

They exchanged cell phone numbers, paid the bill and left. Milo went to his apartment, feeling like he could fly with happiness. She finally achieved her dream of talking to the boy she liked. And not only that, he also got her number and a date. Manuel would surely be surprised by his feat.

When she arrived, she found him sitting on the couch, thoughtful.

- Hello Manuel! Something happened? - Milo asked him

- Hey ... no, nothing - Manuel said, looking away.

- Come on! I always tell you everything!

- Alright! I'll tell you! The pantry boy realized that I was spying on him. And the worst thing was that he asked me to be his private teacher.

- And you rejected it? But you did like it!

- I just can't help you! I do not have time for anything! - Manuel sighed and put his hands over his face - I still haven't gotten over my old love and I don't want that boy to know me. He deserves to be with someone better, I'm sure.

- Not be hard on yourself! - Milo told him, patting him on the back - You're smart, the best in your class. And the truth is that I envy you, because I would like to have the same dedication that you have with your studies. You just need to stop being so tense about everything.

- I know. Even I realized that I need to give myself a break.

- Good! Well, I'm going to prepare the food. Then I'll tell you what happened to me today.

- I would like to know.

And so half the day passed. Both Manuel and Milo wanted to talk to the person they liked again. What they didn't know was that Luis and Ariel also harbored those feelings. And soon I will find out.