Later that day, after what felt like an eternity of waiting at the airport, Claudia and Aimee stood near the arrivals gate. The cold, sterile air of the terminal was thick with anticipation, the clock ticking relentlessly as the minutes dragged on.
Aimee could sense her friend's growing impatience. Claudia had been fidgeting, checking her phone for updates, then staring anxiously at the arrivals sign. Her eyes kept darting to the screen as if willing it to change. The hours had crawled by, but now, finally, the sign from Germany flickered and changed.
"Yes!" Claudia gasped, her voice filled with relief and excitement as the sign read: Arrival: Germany – Flight 602.
Claudia's pulse quickened. She bounced on her heels, her impatience melting into nervous energy. Aimee chuckled, knowing how much this moment meant to her.
"I can't believe it's really happening," Claudia whispered, her eyes glued to the moving crowd near the escalators.
And then, there he was.
A tall young man with blonde hair and striking blue eyes came down the escalator, his face slightly fatigued from the long flight but still radiant with the excitement of arrival. He was carrying a small hand luggage, with another bag slung over his shoulder.
Claudia's face lit up as she spotted him. She didn't hesitate for a second. With an excited squeal, she practically leaped from her spot, limping slightly on her left leg, though the limp seemed to only heighten her urgency.
"Aimee, look! It's Martin!" she gasped, almost breathless as she ran toward him.
Martin's face broke into a wide, warm smile as he spotted Claudia. His tiredness vanished, replaced by an eagerness to meet her after what must have felt like a long wait for both of them. He dropped his bags, his arms reaching out to catch her as she approached with surprising speed despite her limp.
Claudia?" he asked softly, his accent still strong but full of warmth.
She nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Martin… Wow, it's really you!"
Claudia reached him in a burst of energy, throwing her arms around him, almost knocking him off balance. The crowd around them watched with mild curiosity, but in that moment, it felt as though the whole world had quieted for Claudia and Martin.
Martin's eyes caught something that hadn't gone unnoticed by Claudia—a slight limp in her stride. His brow furrowed in concern as he slowed his pace.
"Claudia, wait... Did you hurt yourself?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with genuine worry.
Claudia froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. The smile on her face faded just a little, and her gaze dropped to the floor. She had tried to push it out of her mind, but now, with him so close, it felt impossible to hide.
she finally said, her voice quieter. "I got into an accident some years ago
And, I've been kind of afraid to tell you about it." Her voice caught for a second. "I should've told you sooner... but I didn't want it to change anything between us. I didn't want you to see me differently."
Martin's expression softened, and his blue eyes darkened with concern. He reached out, gently lifting her chin so their eyes met.
"Claudia, are you crazy?" he asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and affection. "Of course, it doesn't change anything. I meant every word I've been saying to you online. Every single one."
A wave of relief washed over Claudia, her heart lightening as she looked into his sincere gaze. "Really?" she asked, her voice full of hope, like a weight had just been lifted from her shoulders.
"Of course," he confirmed, his smile warm. "You're exactly the person I've been getting to know. Nothing about that's changed." He paused and added, almost teasingly, "Though, I am glad you didn't tell me sooner, or I might have been too worried to focus on getting here."
Claudia let out a small, nervous laugh, feeling the tension ease from her body. "Yeah, I guess I didn't want you to think I'm some kind of burden."
"Not a chance," Martin said with a grin. "You're far from it."
Before Claudia could say anything more, Martin's gaze shifted briefly to the side, where a beautiful woman with glossy black hair and bold red lipstick had been smiling at them. The woman was standing a little apart from the crowd, but it was clear from the way she kept glancing their way that she had been watching them for a while.
Claudia noticed the look on his face and followed his gaze. She immediately recognized the woman as her best friend, Aimee.
"Oh, that's Aimee," Claudia said with a chuckle, lightly nudging Martin. "My best friend. I've been telling you all about her."
As they approached, Aimee stood up from her spot by the baggage carousel, her smile widening when she saw Martin. She had been waiting quietly, observing the two of them, and it was obvious from her expression that she was pleased to see them finally together in person.
Claudia placed a hand on Martin's arm as they reached Aimee. "Aimee, this is Martin," she said, her voice full of warmth. "Martin, this is Aimee, my best friend since forever."
Martin extended a hand, his smile easy and genuine as he shook Aimee's hand. "It's great to meet you. Claudia's talked a lot about you."
Aimee's smile was bright as she shook his hand. "I've heard plenty about you too," she said teasingly, her eyes twinkling. "I think Claudia's been counting the days until you arrived."
As they approached the baggage claim, Claudia's excitement was evident. She glanced at Martin, a hopeful smile on her face. "So, can we leave now?" she asked, her voice light with anticipation. "I mean, we could go grab some food or head out... I've been looking forward to this all day."
Martin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not just yet," he replied with a smile. "There's actually someone else who came in with me."
Claudia blinked in surprise. "Someone else? Who?"
My best friend, Carlos," Martin explained, his voice warm. "He flew in with me. He's just behind me, claiming his baggage right now. I'm sure he'll be out any minute."
Looks like we have a little more waiting to do," Aimee teased, her tone light.
Just then, a tall, handsome man appeared at the top of the escalator, making his way down with effortless confidence. His muscular build was impossible to miss—broad shoulders, a wide back and a tiny waist that gave him a striking, athletic silhouette. His tapering wavy hair fell just slightly over his face, adding a touch of ease to his otherwise commanding presence. His dark, almost black eyes scanned the crowd with quiet assurance before landing on Martin, and the moment they made eye contact, a grin spread across his face.
"Ah, there he is!" Martin exclaimed, stepping forward, clearly relieved to see his friend.
As Carlos stepped off the escalator and made his way towards them, his gaze swept across the crowd with a quiet intensity. When his eyes landed on Aimee, something shifted. Their gazes locked for a moment—just a second at first, but then it lingered. Aimee was caught off guard by the intensity of his stare. His dark, almost black eyes seemed to see straight through her, the kind of look that left her heart skipping a beat.
For what felt like an eternity, neither of them moved, their eyes holding onto each other in a silent connection. Aimee, despite herself, felt a small flutter in her chest. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her feel both seen and unsettled all at once. Her breath caught slightly as she broke the gaze, glancing down for a moment before she forced a casual smile, though her thoughts were still racing.
Carlos was the first to look away, his lips curving into a grin, though there was a hint of something more in his expression—curiosity, maybe, or something else that was impossible to name.
Martin clapped Carlos on the back and grinned. "This is my best friend, Carlos," Martin said, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Carlos, meet Claudia."
Carlos, still holding his bags in one hand, turned to face Claudia with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Claudia," he said smoothly, his deep voice rich with a hint of charm. He extended his hand, and Claudia shook it eagerly, her face lighting up with excitement. She had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever.
Martin, noticing the connection, then turned to Aimee, who was still standing by Claudia's side. "And this," he said, his tone taking on a playful note, "is Aimee, Claudia's friend."
Aimee's heart skipped when Carlos's gaze met hers. It was the same intense, almost magnetic look from earlier—the one that had made her feel as if her pulse had quickened without explanation. His eyes locked onto hers for a moment longer than necessary, and for a brief second, the world around them seemed to blur. His lips curved into a slight smile, one that made her stomach tighten, though she couldn't figure out why.
"Hi," Aimee said, her voice a little quieter than she'd intended as she offered her hand, trying to stay composed. The electricity in the air was almost palpable, and she couldn't help but notice how solid and confident Carlos looked—his strong frame making him seem almost untouchable, yet strangely approachable.
Carlos gave her hand a firm shake, but it was the way he held her gaze that made her chest tighten.
Aimee, right? It's good to finally meet you," he said, his tone smooth and warm, as if he had known her much longer than just a few minutes.
Yeah, good to meet you too," Aimee replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She wasn't sure if it was the lingering effects of their earlier eye contact, or the way his presence seemed to fill the space, but she felt herself drawn to him in a way she hadn't expected.