Finally, the taxi pulled up to a small apartment building. I paid the driver and stepped out, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. As I approached the building, I saw Juan just entering his apartment.

“Juan! Surprise!” I called out, running towards him. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction.

He looked very surprised, and for a moment, I thought he was upset to see me. But then he suddenly smiled, and my heart calmed down.

“Oh, it’s you! I wasn’t expecting you! Why didn’t you text me about your visit?”

“I’m sorry, I thought you would be happy to see me, Juan. You look so much better in person!” I said, trying to keep the mood light.

“Yeah! You too… Lucy…” he said, hesitating slightly.

“Lily…” I corrected him, feeling a pang of disappointment. He didn’t even remember my name. Maybe that was the first red flag I should have noticed.

“Lily! Yeah, that’s what I meant. I’m sorry, sometimes American names are a bit confusing to me.”

Maybe he was right, I thought. I shouldn’t be so negative. He was so handsome, and his accent made me want to listen to him more and more.

He invited me into his apartment, and we sat down to talk. The conversation flowed easily; before I knew it, we laughed and shared stories as if we had known each other for years.

As the evening went on, we opened a bottle of wine. I felt my nerves melting away with each sip. Juan was charming and attentive, and I enjoyed his company more than I had expected.

“So, what made you decide to come all the way here?” Juan asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

“I just needed a change,” I admitted. “After my husband left, I felt so lost. Talking to you made me feel hopeful again.”

“I’m glad you came,” he said, his smile warm and reassuring. “It’s nice to meet you in person finally.”

We continued talking late into the night, the wine loosening our tongues and deepening our connection. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me, and I could barely keep my eyes open.

“I think I need to get some sleep,” I said, stifling a yawn.

“Of course, you must be tired from your trip,” Juan said, guiding me to a spare room. “Sleep well, Lily.”

“Goodnight, Juan,” I said, smiling as I drifted off, feeling content and hopeful for the first time in a long while.

But the next morning would bring a harsh reality I wasn’t prepared for. I woke up on the street, disoriented and confused. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft light over the unfamiliar surroundings.