Unspoken Beginnings
1101 Words
Linda
Linda leaves Judith’s office feeling lighter than she has in weeks. Her steps feel easier as she follows Phoebe around the building, listening carefully, memorizing hallways, departments, and names. Everything still feels unreal, but in a good way. By the time she heads home that evening, her heart is full of quiet excitement.
At home, she greets her parents as usual.
“How was school?” her mother asks casually.
“Fine,” Linda replies with a small smile.
She says nothing else.
She eats, helps around the house, and goes to bed early. She doesn’t want them worried. Not yet. The weekend passes quickly….too quickly, and before she knows it, Monday arrives.
Linda leaves the house early, just like every school day. Only this time, she doesn’t turn toward campus. She heads straight to Elevé Designs.
Her heart pounds as she steps into the building. She goes directly to the CEO’s floor, standing nervously by the office door. At the same moment, the elevator opens, and Judith steps out.
Their eyes meet.
“Good morning, Linda,” Judith says warmly.
The tone surprises Linda. It’s gentle. Familiar.
“Good morning, ma’am…. Judith,” Linda corrects herself quickly.
Judith smiles. “You’re early.”
“I didn’t want to be late on my first official day.”
“I like that,” Judith says. “How was your weekend? Are you feeling better now?”
Linda nods. “Yes. Thank you… for everything.”
They walk together into Judith’s office, talking easily, almost like friends. Linda doesn’t even realize how unusual this is until Phoebe walks in and freezes slightly.
Phoebe blinks.
Is this my boss? she thinks.
Since when does Judith chat like this?
And with the new girl?
“Good morning, Phoebe,” Judith says calmly.
“Good morning, ma’am,” Phoebe replies, still confused.
Judith turns to Linda. “Phoebe will show you your desk. It’s right beside hers. You’ll both be assisting me.”
Phoebe’s eyes widen slightly, but she nods. “Of course.”
Linda follows Phoebe, still overwhelmed.
After some hours of work, Linda is asked to take files to another floor. The files are heavier than Linda expects.
She shifts them in her arms as she steps into the elevator, praying nothing slips. It’s quiet inside, the soft hum of movement the only sound. She stares at the floor numbers, willing the ride to be over quickly.
The doors are about to close when a voice cuts in.
“Sorry.”
The doors slide open again.
A man steps in.
Linda freezes without knowing why. He’s tall; so tall that he seems to fill the small space instantly. Broad shoulders, confident posture, calm presence. He doesn’t rush or apologize again; he simply stands there, effortless.
The elevator moves.
Her grip loosens.
The files tilt dangerously, and Linda gasps softly. Before they can fall, his hand is already there, steadying the pile with ease.
“You’re okay,” he says gently.
The sound of his voice makes her flustered. Deep. Controlled.
“Oh! thank you,” she says quickly, embarrassed, adjusting the files.
She doesn’t notice that he’s watching her then.
From Leo’s quiet perspective, she’s about five-foot-four, standing just below his shoulder. Not fragile, but clearly struggling under the weight she refuses to drop. Her body is well-proportioned, natural, unforced. Her face draws him in unexpectedly; soft almond shaped eyes, wide with concentration and nervousness, framed by lashes that catch the light when she blinks.
She isn’t trying to be noticed.
That’s exactly why she is.
The elevator hums as it moves upward. Linda keeps her eyes ahead, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She’s aware of him in a way she doesn’t understand; his warmth, his nearness, the quiet steadiness beside her.
The elevator slows.
The doors open.
Linda steps out quickly, clutching the files tighter than necessary. “Thank you again,” she mutters without turning back.
She walks away, unaware that she’s left something behind.
Curiosity.
The elevator doors close, and Leo remains inside, strangely still. He exhales slowly, surprised by the sudden shift in his mood.
He doesn’t know her name.
But he already wants to.
Back at her desk, Linda tries to focus, but her mind wanders. Somewhere upstairs, Judith is working and without meaning to, her thoughts drift to Leo. His smile. His presence. She shakes her head and forces herself back to work.
Later, Leo walks out of Judith’s office, phone pressed to his ear. He stops near the assistants’ desks.
“Yes, I’ll handle it,” he says into the phone.
The assistant bell rings.
Phoebe stands. “Excuse me,” she says politely to Leo and heads into Judith’s office.
Leo ends his call and turns to Linda.
“You didn’t tell me your name,” he says gently.
“Linda.”
“Nice to meet you properly, Linda.” He smiles. “I’ll see you around.”
And just like that, he walks away.
Linda exhales shakily.
Judith
Judith leaves the office early, yet she is still the last to arrive home.
Her parents’ house is large, elegant, and intimidating.
“Judith,” her mother calls, hugging her lightly. “You’re late.”
Her brothers: James, Julius and Joseph; nod at her. They’re all married. Settled. Comfortable.
Dinner begins politely.
Then her father, Patrick, clears his throat.
“We’ve found someone for you,” he says.
Judith freezes.
“A suitor,” Patrick continues. “Very powerful. From Monaco. His name is Alessandro De Luca.”
Judith looks to her brothers.
None of them meet her eyes.
“He’s as influential as I am,” Patrick adds. “That’s the kind of connection we need.”
Something inside Judith snaps.
“So I’m just business now?” she asks sharply. “Not your daughter?”
Patrick frowns. “Don’t be dramatic.”
She stands abruptly. “I can’t do this.”
She rushes out. Her mother, Janet follows.
Outside, Judith breaks down, crying into her mother’s shoulder.
“I just want to choose for myself,” she sobs.
Janet strokes her hair. “Everything will be okay.”
Judith pulls back slowly. “I need to go home.” Janet understands so she allows.
She leaves.
Back inside, Patrick slams his hand on the table. “Ungrateful.”
James speaks first. “Dad… she needs time.”
Julius nods. “You pushed too hard.”
Joseph sighs. “She’ll come around. Just not like this.”
Patrick leans back, breathing heavily.
For the first time, even he wonders
Have I gone too far?
- Writer
