"Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light."
— Madeleine L'Engle
The apartment was unusually quiet. Ailín stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the dress she had chosen for Dylan's promotion celebration for the fifth time. It was simple, elegant, yet had a touch that highlighted her natural beauty. Every time she looked at her reflection, a small sarcastic voice reminded her that she could always do "better."
"Look at you," whispered Oscurita from the back of the chair, arms crossed. "Drama queen in action. You think just a dress will make everyone stop envying you? Spoiler alert: they'll notice."
Ailín rolled her eyes and smiled, though slightly nervous. Oscurita always found a way to make even her insecurities funny.
"Tonight I shine for me," Ailín thought firmly. "Not for him, not for anyone else."
"Uh-huh, sure," replied Oscurita, raising an eyebrow. "And I'm the Queen of England."
As Ailín applied her makeup, she remembered Andrea's warning about the young newcomer at the company who seemed overly interested in Dylan. That small shadow of insecurity crept into her chest, but she took a deep breath and pushed it into a corner of her mind. She wouldn't let Oscurita control her with someone else's fear.
When Dylan entered the apartment, impeccable in his suit, Ailín felt a familiar warmth envelop her. His smile was genuine, effortless.
"Ready to conquer the world?" Dylan said, approaching and gently taking her hand.
"Ready to shine," Ailín replied, winking at him.
Oscurita rolled her eyes from the armchair.
"Yeah, yeah… shine away. Let's see how long that lasts surrounded by female competition."
The drive to the event was calm. Dylan drove while they talked about trivial things, trying not to think too much about what awaited them. Oscurita, invisible, murmured sarcastic comments every few seconds, barely noticeable to Ailín.
Upon arrival, the venue was filled with lights, music, and elegantly dressed colleagues. The familiar sting of anxiety hit Ailín as so many eyes fell on her, but this time she wasn't alone. Oscurita was present, yes, but her voice was no longer threatening; it was almost complicit, reminding Ailín she could handle anything.
Dylan was quickly surrounded by congratulations and applause. His colleagues admired him, but Ailín stayed by his side, confident. Andrea approached, took her arm, and led her to a corner, hugging her warmly and complimenting her beauty. They chatted for a while as Dylan greeted some colleagues, until Andrea warned her about the young woman making her way toward him.
The girl was getting too close, her smile pretending to be innocent. Ailín immediately understood the intention, and Oscurita quickly commented:
"Ah, perfect. Mini-Corporate Vivian. Yes, another obsessed one. Don't let her get too close," she muttered. "This could be a university remake… and I'm not getting paid extra to watch everything."
At that moment, Dylan, who was talking with a friend, noticed the approaching girl. Aware of the situation, he turned to Ailín, moved closer, took her hand, and led her to introduce her to other colleagues, including the young woman. He never let go of her hand, keeping her close by his side, and in a brief moment of distraction, gave a subtle squeeze: She's the one. Always her. That simple gesture silenced Oscurita completely.
Ailín exhaled, recalling her previous conversation with Dylan and observing his action. There were no reproaches, only clear boundaries. She allowed herself to watch the interaction with cool calculation, like a spectator of her own life, without losing her calm or her smile.
Andrea returned to the group, and both exchanged knowing smiles and glances.
Later, while touching up her makeup in the hotel bathroom, Ailín saw Oscurita reflected in the mirror and heard her whisper:
"Do you really think perfect makeup will make everything else disappear?"
Ailín exhaled and faced her shadow:
"Today, you don't control me. I decide how to react."
Oscurita blinked, surprised by Ailín's firmness, and for the first time, had nothing to say.
Back in the hall, the promotion was announced with great pomp. Dylan walked up to the stage, elegant and confident, and Ailín accompanied him, feeling a silent pride filling every corner of her chest. The ceremony was full of applause, camera flashes, and admiring glances. Ailín allowed herself a few seconds of vulnerability, absorbing all the love she felt for him and the calm reassurance that they had faced their first challenges together as a married couple.
After the ceremony, toasts began. Wine, laughter, and conversation filled the room. Ailín moved among colleagues, chatting, smiling, and maintaining composure in front of the young woman who couldn't stop looking at Dylan. Oscurita stayed by her side, providing witty commentary:
"See… you didn't need to bring out the emotional light sword. But hey, I like your diplomatic style."
Ailín smiled, grateful for the shadow that, though annoying, helped her stay alert.
At the end of the night, Dylan and Ailín returned to the car that would take them home. The city lights passed by through the windows as they held hands, the silence comfortable between them. Oscurita, invisible, settled in the backseat in her imagined way, sighing dramatically:
"Well, well… let's see how the night ends, guaranteed romance and cheesiness."
Upon arriving at the apartment, calm settled over the space. Oscurita perched on the back of the sofa and commented:
"Finally alone? Welcome to the nest of romance… and real life. And yes, I'm supervising the operation."
Ailín let out a deep sigh, and Dylan hugged her, letting his words fill the space between them:
"Tonight… I saw you. And I saw how you handled everything. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you," Ailín whispered. "Thank you for trusting me, for seeing me, for choosing me even when I'm not perfect."
"You don't have to be perfect. I never expected that from you. When everyone was watching tonight, I was too. And I thought, 'How lucky am I?' Not because of how you look, but because I know what it takes for you to show yourself like this… and you still do it. Fighting every day against what no one else sees. That's what I admire most. Tonight, among all, only your eyes mattered. Thank you for being with me."
Oscurita, from her invisible corner, crossed her arms:
"You two, all emotional again? This is too much even for my sarcasm."
As Dylan held her, Ailín laughed softly, feeling her anxiety gradually dissolve, replaced by warm and firm confidence. She reflected on everything she had experienced: insecurities, off-hour calls, doubts, comparisons with the past… and she understood that she could be vulnerable, face her fears, and still maintain control over her life and her relationship.
For the first time, Oscurita wasn't an obstacle but a kind of ironic witness reinforcing her security. Even ghosts from the past could become allies if she learned to listen without letting them dominate her.
The night ended with a sense of sweetness and anticipation. Ailín had learned that she could be vulnerable, face her fears, and still maintain control over her life and her relationship. She didn't need anyone else's validation. Dylan and she had achieved it together, with clear boundaries, honest communication, and a deep understanding of their emotions.
Oscurita, finally resigned, muttered to herself:
"Perfect… now that you're alone, get ready for the most sarcastic and cheesy version of your lives. I'm keeping score."
And with that, the story closed, leaving a warm, sweet, and expectant air for what was yet to come…