As I came back from my morning run I noticed a container truck parked at the entrance. Turned out it was a new neighbour. He was just moving in that day. I was all sweaty in my sleeveless T and shorts and he had a cup of coffee in his hand as he gestured to the movers to started shifting his stuff.
I walked up to him and introduced myself. "Hi, I'm Santos from 904. Welcome to the jungle!"
"Hi, I'm Joseph and I'm shifting into the central block, 212."
We made some small talk and I shared my number with him. I offered to help him move his stuff. He graciously declined but asked me to come over in the evening for a housewarming drink and appetisers. I assumed he was hosting a I'm-new-to-the-neighbourhood party and said yes, I'd see him at 7 PM sharp.
I did find Joseph really attractive. He seemed in his mid-20s, was 5 feet 8 inches or so. Slender, short hair. He had really nice eyes.
So during the day I fantasised about him a bit when daydreaming but didn't think much of it.
That evening I showed up at his door with two bottles of wine (one red and one white), and joked that I didn't know which one he preferred so I brought both.
At this point I noticed that no one else was here so I just assumed they'd come later.
Joseph then explained to me that he had never lived in such a fancy building before and I was the only neighbour who had been nice to him and agreed to come. So it was going to be just us.
I really didn't mind having drinks with such a beautiful young man even if it didn't go anywhere.
So he asked about me. At the time I was 35, business executive, fond of war documentaries.
"Any relationships?" Joseph asked.
"Right now, no. I broke up about a month ago with my boyfriend."
"Oh, so you are gay?" Joseph said quizzically.
"That does seem to be the case!" I replied.
"So how long have your been gay?" Joseph probed.