It was a cold winter day when Larry first met Maria. He had been having a rough week, feeling down and dejected. He was sitting in a coffee shop, staring blankly at his cup, when Maria walked in. She noticed Larry’s sad expression and, without hesitation, approached him with a warm smile.
“Excuse me, are you alright?” she asked gently, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Larry, surprised by the unexpected kindness, looked up into Maria’s eyes and found himself at a loss for words. It wasn’t just her kind demeanor, but the warmth and sincerity in her eyes that captivated him.
“I… um, yes, I’m okay. Just a rough day, I guess,” he managed to stammer out.