As Daniel stood at a friend's engagement party, watching Cindy glide across the dance floor in a burgundy dress, her laughter cut through the music, breezing across the dance floor. She danced with Frederick, her best friend, and how easily they seemed with other made Daniel's chest tighten. "I want to be the one who makes her laugh like that," he thought, his desire to be her everything clashing with a growing fear: "What if I am not enough?"
Cindy's curled hair caught the light as she spun, her intelligence and warmth drawing eyes across the room. They had first met two years ago during a mutual friend's wedding; their first conversation sparked a connection between them. She was a top-tier marketing official, her passion as contagious to her new ad campaign as she was to smile on. Six months later, they were in a serious relationship, and Daniel dreamed of a future with her — marriage, children, a house in Park Slope. But Fredrick was always there: a shadow in their tale, a man who knew her on a level that Daniel could not. Their college days, shared memories, their natural connection — all were like a wall he could not shin up.
As the DJ slowed the pace, Cindy broke away from Frederick, walked right across the room to Daniel and looked at him bright-eyed. "Dance with me, baby," she said, holding his hand. The warmth of her touch anchored him, a stark contrast to the chill of seeing Frederick laughing with someone else. Cindy was watching the direction Daniel was gazing at and tilted her head. "You okay? You seem distant."
Daniel clutched at his throat. He wanted to ask about Frederick—why she called him "babes," why their bond seemed solid; but the words felt childish, possessive. He did not want to act controlling, but his love of having him be her priority was fighting him. "Just stressed out from work", he said, forcing a smile. "Big project deadline coming up."
Cindy frowned; however, she let it go and pulled him closer. "You work too hard, Mr. Engineer. Let's have fun tonight." Her head rested on his chest, and for a moment Daniel felt complete. His phone then buzzed, a text from his colleague James: "Caught you staring at Cindy's friend. Jealous much?" The message hit like a match to dry tinder, igniting the doubt that he had tried to hide, to bury. He just couldn't turn his back on it anymore. Frederick wasn't just a friend; he was a challenge, a threat to the life that Daniel wanted with Cindy.
Back at his apartment that night, he couldn't sleep. The party was a wake-up call. Cindy had mentioned Frederick in their cab ride, how they'd planned for the weekend. Every mention was a reminder of Daniel's fear: that he would never be her first choice. His desire to build a life with her was at odds with his insecurity. "If I confront her will she think of me as controlling? Will I push her?" This conflict churned, making it clear that ignoring Fredrick's presence was not an option. He had to act, but how? The question lingered in his mind, leaving him restlessness and unresolved.
His career at Apex, where he led the high-rise project amidst a brewing dispute with city officials over permits, offered no escape. The work kept him busy through the day but it was not going to distract him from Cindy. She was his dream, the one he wanted to come home to, but Frederick made him question everything. Was he enough? The engagement party had shown him what he was going to lose and James' had pushed him out of his comfort zone. His heart raced as he realized he couldn't stay silent anymore. He had to find a way to secure Cindy's love and prove he was the one he needed, even if he had to face his deepest fears.