ELITE

The young man enters the dark building, with its futuristic architecture and flashing lights. His goal was to reach an elevated floor, but by mistake, he pressed the wrong button and the elevator door opens. He descends to a lower level, where a heady fragrance of chocolate captivates him and arouses his curiosity. The irresistible aroma of chocolate flooded the air and enveloped him like a tantalizing spell. His senses awakened and his attention was diverted to a half-open door revealing a feast of exquisite desserts. His eyes lit up at the sight and his stomach began to growl. Tempted by the sweetness presented to him, he decides to abandon his initial objective and enter this unfamiliar floor.

Intrigued by the delicious fragrance, his curiosity and craving were stronger than his sense of responsibility. Without a second thought, he decided to set aside his original destination and ventured into this lower floor, captivated by the promise of satisfying his taste for chocolate. Upon entering the room, he was amazed by the view. A table covered with a wide variety of desserts, all made with chocolate in different shapes and textures, immediately whetted his appetite. There were decadent chocolate cakes, smooth and seductive truffles, cups of hot chocolate with swirls of cream and a myriad of tempting treats.

The young man couldn't resist and began to taste one after another, allowing himself to be swept away by the exquisite explosion of flavors in his mouth. As he enjoyed each bite, he realized he was not alone. A group of young men, equally enchanted by the irresistible dessert offerings, were sharing the same room. He quickly struck up conversations with them, sharing laughs and enjoying the desserts. Although reluctant at first, he is carried away by the warm atmosphere and camaraderie that develops in that strange waiting room.

Between laughter and enthusiastic comments about the different flavors and combinations, a spontaneous camaraderie was generated. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something or someone, but at that moment, the pleasure of chocolate desserts united them and created a playful and pleasant atmosphere.

The young man let himself be carried away by the conversation and interaction with those fellow delighters, temporarily forgetting his initial objective and enjoying that moment of shared indulgence. As he tasted another exquisite chocolate dessert, he realized that he had found an unexpected refuge in this place, a temporary escape from the worries and daily routine.

Time passed quickly in that corner of indulgent pleasure. As time passed, the protagonist was carried away by the festive atmosphere and lively conversations. The hours seemed to pass quickly as the group explored the pleasures of chocolate and shared laughter and anecdotes. Although he knew he should return to his true destination, he felt nostalgic as he imagined that this fleeting encounter might have been more than just a chance meeting in an unfamiliar place.

A pretty, sharp-minded girl approaches him and proposes an intellectual challenge.
-Have you ever heard your thoughts echo, she says.
-No, I've never had that experience. What do you mean, he asks, intrigued.
-Well, let me put a riddle to you. Listen carefully. "I am the echo of your thoughts, the shadow of your words, always present but never seen. Who am I?
-Hmm, sounds interesting. Let me think for a moment... Could I be the subconscious," he says, pondering.
-Very close, but that's not the right answer, she says, smiling.
-So, you're telling me that the echo of my thoughts has another way of manifesting itself?
-Exactly. Think of something more abstract, something that transcends the limits of the mind.
-I'm trying to unravel your riddle, but every answer that comes to mind seems unsatisfactory, he says, frowning.
-That's because the answer lies not just in your thoughts, but in something much broader and deeper.
-Could it be... the collective consciousness, he asks, full of curiosity.
The girl nods.
-Very good! You have arrived at the right answer. The echo of your thoughts is the connection we all share as human beings, a resonance that transcends the individual and unites us on a deeper level.
-That's a fascinating way to look at it. I've never thought of it that way before, he says, impressed.
-That's the wonderful thing about enigmas, they challenge us to think differently and explore new perspectives. Don't you find it exciting," she says, now smiling.
-It definitely is," he says, nodding. -Thank you for posing this riddle to me and helping me see things from a broader perspective.

From there, a special spark arises between them, a magnetic attraction that envelops them in a deep connection. As time goes by, they get into conversations about love and dreams. After six hours, the girl mentions the possibility of being pregnant. They both feel a knot in their stomachs as anguish and hope intertwine in their thoughts. She heads to the bathroom to take a pregnancy test, which finally yields a negative result. A sigh of relief washes over them, but also a twinge of nostalgia for the future that could have been.

At that moment, an older man looking like a millionaire executive enters the room. His gaze falls on the girl with contempt, and without hesitation, he approaches the young protagonist and calls him by name. The executive expresses his concern and frustration at having sought him out and waited for so long. She urges him to go up to the floor that corresponds to him, while hugging him tightly.

The young man, confused and disoriented, accepts the executive's embrace and they let themselves be led back to the elevator. The girl stays behind, staring at the digital clock on the wall indicating the elevator's ascent. Her eyes reflect a mixture of surprise and melancholy as she watches the elevator rise, moving away from her and the fleeting encounter with the young man.