Unspoken Lines
1036 Words
Linda
Early morning light slips into Linda’s room as she gets ready for work, not school, though that is what her parents believe. She moves carefully, quietly, folding her uniform into her bag like it is something fragile.
She tells herself it won’t be forever.
Just for now, she thinks. Until I save enough. Until I can stand on my own.
She plans to move out as soon as she has the money. It’s the only way to keep her secret safe a little longer even though she knows she’ll eventually tell them. Just not yet.
She checks the time again. Too early. Her heart beats faster.
“Linda?”
Her mother’s voice pulls her out of her thoughts.
“Why are you leaving so early?” her mum asks from the doorway. “It’s Tuesday. Your classes don’t start until later in the afternoon.”
Linda freezes. Her mouth opens, but no words come out. Her mind scrambles for a lie, any lie, but nothing sounds believable.
Then
The doorbell rings.
Linda exhales in relief.
“I—I’ll get it!” she says quickly, almost running out of the room.
Who could that be this early?
She opens the door and her heart nearly drops.
“Anna?”
Her friend from school stands there, arms folded, eyes sharp. Panic flashes through Linda, but she forces a smile.
“Anna… hi. Come in.”
She doesn’t give Anna time to speak. She pulls her inside and leads her straight to her room, closing the door behind them.
Anna doesn’t waste time.
“I’ve been calling you,” Anna says sharply. “Texting you. You didn’t reply to anything. And you haven’t been in school. I had to come today because we have a test and if you miss it, it’ll affect you.”
Linda swallows.
“Anna, uhh… I—I…” She sighs. “A lot is happening. I made some decisions.”
Anna’s expression softens just a little.
“I’m really sorry for ignoring you,” Linda continues. “I’ve been going through some rough patches. I can’t explain everything right now, but I promise I will. Soon. Please, just trust me, okay?”
She grabs her bag, checking quickly to be sure she has everything she needs for work.
“We have to leave now,” Linda adds gently. “And please… don’t say anything to my mum.”
Anna hesitates, then nods. “Fine. But you owe me an explanation.”
They step out together.
“Mum, we’re heading out now,” Linda says.
Anna greets Linda’s mother politely, and together they leave the house.
Judith
Judith hasn’t been herself since the dinner the night before. The conversation with her father keeps replaying in her mind, refusing to let her rest.
Now she sits in her office, staring at her desk, her thoughts heavy.
A knock breaks the silence.
“Come in.”
Linda steps inside.
“Hey, Judith,” Linda says softly. “You have an invitation to a dinner.”
She pauses, studying Judith’s face. “Are you okay?”
Judith blinks, pulling herself together.
“Yeah,” she replies, forcing a casual tone. “I’m fine. An invitation?”
“Yes.” Linda hands it to her. Then she smiles gently. “You know you can’t really hide it, right? Something’s wrong. But you’ll be fine I promise. Whatever it is. You can always call me if you need anything, okay?”
Judith looks at her, surprised by the warmth.
“Thank you, Linda,” she says quietly. “I really appreciate that.”
Linda nods and leaves the office.
Back at her desk, Linda barely settles in when she’s told someone is asking for her at the reception.
Her heart skips. Who could be looking for me? Nobody knows she works here.
Still, she goes.
At the reception on the first floor, she meets a man she has never seen before.
“Are you Miss Linda?” he asks politely.
“Yes,” she answers. “Who are you?”
“I’m President Leo’s assistant,” he says. “I believe you know who I’m referring to.”
Linda’s breath catches.
“My boss asked me to invite you to a dinner party,” he continues. “He’ll be picking you up after work. I’m here to ask for your contact details and the time you’ll be leaving. He didn’t want to get your information without your permission.”
Linda is stunned, but also strangely touched.
She nods and gives him the details.
What surprises her isn’t the invitation, it’s that Leo asked first, giving her a choice. That thought alone makes her smile on her way back to her desk.
When she returns to her desk, her heart is racing. Excitement bubbles inside her, impossible to ignore.
Judith
Work ends earlier than expected. Judith packs her things, preparing to leave so she can get ready for the dinner she’s been invited to.
As she steps into the parking lot, she stops.
Him.
She would recognize that car anywhere.
Leo.
Her heart lifts instantly. She smiles and starts walking toward him
Then she sees Linda.
Linda walks up to the car, opens the door, and says something that sounds like an apology. Leo smiles at her. Not politely. Not distantly.
Warmly.
Like they’ve known each other for a while.
Judith stops in her tracks.
When did they meet?
She watches them smile at each other, something warm and familiar passing between them. Her chest tightens…not with anger, but with something quieter. Something she doesn’t want to name
Should I regret helping her?
She shakes her head quickly.
No. It’s too early. Too soon.
She doesn’t blame Linda. That would be unfair. Still, the thought lingers…when did this happen?
Judith exhales slowly. Linda has done nothing wrong. Leo owes her nothing.
That doesn’t stop the ache.
The car pulls away with both of them inside.
Judith stands there for a moment longer, then turns to her own car, drives off, her thoughts louder than the engine.
As she drives away, she tells herself she’s overthinking.
But for the first time in a long while, uncertainty follows her home.
- Writer
