Chapter 9: The Unspoken Truth
790 Words
The board meeting lasted for hours, but I couldn’t focus on anything. Every second, my mind kept replaying what happened inside his office. He almost kissed me. He said I make him feel alive. He hates being with his wife... not knowing it’s me.
When the meeting finally ended, everyone began packing up to leave. It was already past 6:00 PM. The office was quiet, most employees had gone home.
I stayed at my desk, pretending to organize files, waiting for Lucas. I didn’t know why—I just couldn’t bring myself to leave yet.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around. It was him.
He was wearing his coat over his arm, his tie loosened, looking tired but... different. His eyes were dark and intense, fixed only on me.
"Still here, Mia?" he asked softly, stopping right in front of my desk.
"I... I was finishing some work, Sir," I stammered, standing up quickly.
He shook his head. "Stop lying. You stayed because you knew I needed to talk to you. Didn’t you?"
He walked around the desk, closing the small gap between us. My heart raced. The memory of earlier—how close he was, how he almost kissed me—came rushing back.
"Come with me," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
He led me out of the office, into the private elevator, and straight to the underground parking lot. He opened the passenger door of his car for me.
"Get in."
"Lucas... where are we going?" I asked, confused.
"Somewhere quiet. Where no one can disturb us."
Minutes later, we arrived at a beautiful, peaceful park overlooking the city lights. It was a place few people knew about, quiet and romantic.
We sat on a bench under a tall tree. The wind was cool, carrying the scent of flowers. Lucas looked out at the view, his expression soft and thoughtful.
"I come here when I feel... confused," he started, breaking the silence. "And lately, I’ve been coming here almost every day. Because of you, Mia. You confuse me so much."
He turned to look at me, his gaze searching my face deeply.
"Do you believe in fate?" he asked suddenly. "Because sometimes... when I look at you, I feel like I’ve known you forever. The way you speak, the way you move, even the little habits you have... they are exactly like hers. Like my wife."
My breath caught in my throat. He’s starting to notice.
"But the difference is," he continued, pain in his eyes, "with you, I feel happy. With you, I feel like I can be myself. With her... I feel like I’m living with a stranger, a ghost who never shows her true self."
He reached out and took my hand in his. His grip was warm and firm.
"Mia... I know I shouldn’t feel this way. I am a married man. I have a duty, a contract. But... I can’t help it. I am falling in love with you. Harder and deeper every single day."
Tears pricked my eyes again. I wanted to shout, I AM HER! I AM YOUR WIFE!
But fear held me back. What if he gets angry? What if he feels betrayed? What if he realizes he only loved the secretary, and hates the wife for lying to him all this time?
"Lucas..." I whispered, squeezing his hand back. "What if... what if the person you love... has been hiding the truth from you? What if she was scared to tell you? Scared that you might reject her?"
He looked at me intensely, as if understanding something deeper in my words.
"Then I would tell her this," he said, leaning closer, his voice low and sincere. "That no matter what truth she is hiding... no matter who she really is... my heart has already chosen her. And it will not change."
His face was inches from mine again. The same tension, the same electricity filled the air. This time, there was no knock on the door. No interruptions. Just us, under the stars.
"Mia... can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, full of longing.
I closed my eyes, my heart pounding wildly. I nodded slowly. "Yes... Lucas."
He leaned in slowly, gently. His hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. And then... his lips met mine.
It was soft, warm, and full of all the feelings we had hidden for so long. It was the kiss of a husband finding his wife... even if he didn't know it yet.
In that moment, everything felt perfect. But deep down... I knew. The longer I hide... the more painful the truth will be when it finally comes out.
- Writer
