Alyara motioned Marco to the living room while she went to the kitchen. "Would you like tea or coffee?"

"Tea, I'm trying to stop drinking too much coffee." Marco watched as Alyara was making tea. "So, Alyara, who was that guy you were with?"

The young woman got out two cups and some herbs. "Oh, his name is Isaiah. He took me out to a nice dinner as friends, though."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "Woah, you on a friendly date? I never heard of that."

"Well, believe it. You and I have friend dates occasionally, and it's not uncommon."

The young man nodded as he watched Alyara pour water into the cups. "So, how did you both meet?"

"I was in Downtown Los Angeles to tour around. He also happened to be there, and he began talking to me. He even took me home and asked me for a friendly dinner. Isaiah is a good man and very friendly." She sat down next to Marco and gave him a cup of tea. "So, how about you? How is your relationship with Andrea going along?" Alyara let out a fake smile, but deep down; it hurt her that she had to pretend to be happy that Marco was with another woman. She always had a crush on him, but he did not indicate his interest in her.

Marco sighed. "I thought she was the one for me, but I had to break it off."

"Really? I pictured you and Andrea as a perfect couple."

"There is no such thing as a perfect couple, Alyara. If there was, then something is wrong."

Alyara took a sip. "So what happened?"

"Andrea has a hard time trusting me. She has a history of being cheated on, and it was hard for her to believe that there are good men in the world. So you know the rest."

"Then why did you still stay with her? Don't you think staying with someone for the wrong reasons was more hurtful?"

Marco took a sip of his tea. "I am a fool. I guess you can say that I wanted to fix her. I blinded myself from the truth. Eventually, the relationship was taking a toll on my mental health. I accepted that some people can't be helped."

"You were always the bleeding heart, Marco. Being a good person is good, but sometimes you need to know your limitations. Although I'm glad, you did what's best for yourself." Alyara took a sip of her tea.

The young man eyed her and chuckled. "You always speak the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Anyway, enough about me. That guy, I noticed that look he gave me; disdain and jealousy. I think there is more than meets the eye with that man. I feel something off with that guy. I don't know why."

Alyara giggled. "You say that with every man that I try to know. Besides, he's a gentleman."

Marco shook his head. "I'm serious, Alyara. It is just that my gut feeling tells me that you should be careful around him."

"Don't worry, Marco. I can take care of myself. I am more worried about you and your failed relationships! I'll get some cookies!"

The man looked down at his tea. "I hope you are right. If not, then there are ways to deal with troubling situations.