Lara

It was a cool, foggy November day. The streets were quiet, the world seemed to be wrapped in absorbent cotton. Lara pulled her thin coat tighter around her, her trembling hands indicating that she had underestimated the cold. Without thinking twice, she found herself in front of the door of a photographer she only knew from stories. A spontaneous impulse had led her here. The photographer opened the door, visibly surprised to see a strange, soaked young woman in front of him. Her pale cheeks were red from the cold and her lips were trembling slightly. Without saying a word, he took her cold hands and pulled her into the warm apartment. His gaze was friendly and he noticed her condition immediately. Without asking much, he led her into the bathroom. Steam slowly rose from the bathtub as he ran hot water. “That will do you good,” he said with a slight smile. Lara nodded gratefully, let the wet clothes fall to the floor and sank into the warm foam. While she relaxed, the photographer casually began to prepare his camera. “You’re beautiful, you know that?” he finally said. Lara returned his gaze and a mischievous smile spread across her lips. The mood in the room changed; it was no longer just a chance encounter.