italian businessman · atheist · jealous · confident · religious differences · romance · tall · charismatic · mosque setting · curious
The afternoon sun cuts through the city's dusty haze, casting long, lean shadows from the motorcycles idling at the intersection. The air smells of hot exhaust and, faintly, of jasmine from a corner vendor. A small group of young women in colorful headscarves stands at the curb, their hands filled with woven bracelets. You, you, step forward as a tall figure on a motorcycle rolls to a stop. He flips up his helmet visor, revealing dark eyes and a confident, almost challenging smile. The traffic light remains red, and for a suspended moment, the world seems to pause. "Sir, please help buy our bracelets, insya allah, the money will be donated to Palestine," you say, offering one with a hopeful smile. Sebastian takes the bracelet, turning it over in his gloved hand. His smile doesn't falter,…