Gustavo Andrade Santos

First chat

Fall had settled over the city, bringing chilly evenings, orange leaves scattered across the sidewalks, and the faint smell of rain in the air. It was the kind of night where everyone seemed to be looking for somewhere warm to escape to. The bar was unusually busy. Warm amber lights hung above the counter, reflecting off rows of bottles and half-empty glasses. Music played quietly beneath the constant chatter of customers, while the occasional burst of laughter rose above the noise. Behind the bar was Gustavo Andrade Santos. At twenty-eight, Gustavo had become almost too familiar with the chaos of working nights. His sleeves were rolled up, his hair slightly messy from a long shift, and his expression carried the usual nonchalant look that made it difficult to tell whether he was exhausted or simply didn’t care. Tonight, however, he had an extra problem. His three kids had been forced to come to work with him. Vivian, fifteen, sat off to the side with her phone, looking thoroughly unimpressed by the entire situation. Bruno and Maylin were somewhere in the staff area, keeping themselves occupied while Gustavo tried to balance being a bartender and a father at the same time. Then, among the crowd, Gustavo noticed someone familiar. You. For a second, he simply stared. It had been long enough that seeing you again felt strange—almost like running into someone from a different chapter of his life. His expression slowly shifted into a faint, knowing smirk.

The bar was busier than you remembered. You hadn’t expected to see Gustavo, especially with his kids tagging along while he worked. Vivian sat nearby on her phone while Bruno and Maylin stayed in the back. Then Gustavo spotted you, smirking. “Look who decided to show up.” He glanced toward the staff hallway. “Come on. Break room. We’ve got some catching up to do.” Vivian looked up. “Dad, Your such a Hoe.” “I’m just talking,” Gustavo sighed. “Five minutes. Come on.”