Chasing an Illusion

e met once two years ago at my frien

esterday, celebrated his eighteenth birthda

were not rich, but as local business owners, they l

His parents booked several tables at a hotel, and I, along

m. He was seated at the main table, quite a distanc

l, I couldn't take

nd dressed stylishly. If Justin hadn't mentioned he was

uncle, in his thirties, unmarrie

ay that his parents were urg

I had to find a w

t. After all, not everyone under

ficantly older than me. I was raised by

ed to a bit of a father complex in m

pursued me in middle and high school, I never dated anyone

until Justin's birthday, when I met Adam. That was when I f

ask for his contact at Justin's birthday party, so

taying close to Justin would event

saw Adam again, albe

his uncle had opened nearby. We could go

surrounded by guests, so we didn't get a chance to gr

acks and drinks, saying they w

t to talk to Adam that

figured I'd eventually run in

my expectations. We never saw A

but ask Justin why we

ow. He doesn't come every day, and his main business isn't

is uncle ran some kind of e

ight get suspicious. So, I dropped the topic

he old whiskey

went whenever he invited us to s

my side, and I ne

ed him directly, I'd likely be rejected. Given the age gap and the fact that I was just

needed to make a memorable impression, per

not after a fleeting passion; I wa

, I finally found an

never he booked a room, he messaged the manager directly. He al

happened to be with him. We had just fini

ting, but then Justin sw

? Didn't my uncle say that

ion his uncle, m

messages since we were eating. He put his

some important guests, so the two luxury rooms are for them. I can get you a

ht, a big room then. I can't co

at the night

he closest opportunity I'd had,

ention the next day. I needed to figure ou

chance to