EPISODE 9: Unspoken Lines
1865 Words
NEXT DAY
RESTAURANT – EVENING
A cozy but busy restaurant.
Warm lights hang low from the ceiling, casting a soft golden glow over the space. The gentle clinking of utensils, quiet conversations, and the faint hum of music fill the air.
Jenny moves carefully between tables, balancing two plates on one arm while holding a tray in the other.
Focused. Professional.
But her mind—
Not completely here.
JENNY (THOUGHTS)
Who was she with yesterday…
And why did she smile like that…
“Miss? Excuse me?”
Jenny snaps back to reality.
“Ah—yes, sorry!” she says quickly, placing the dishes down with a polite smile. “Please enjoy your meal.”
She bows slightly before turning away—
The door opens.
The soft chime echoes.
Jenny looks up.
And freezes.
Carol walks in.
Effortless.
Calm.
Like she owns the space without trying.
Behind her—
Chanel.
Elegant. Composed. Sharp.
For a moment—
Everything around Jenny fades.
JENNY (THOUGHTS)
They came here too? What a small world.
Carol notices her immediately.
And again—
That smile.
Warm. Unforced.
Like she’s genuinely glad to see her.
“Hi,” Carol says casually.
Jenny blinks, caught off guard, then quickly bows her head slightly.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
Her voice is steady—
But her fingers tighten slightly around her notepad.
Chanel watches closely.
Her eyes flicker between them.
Not missing anything.
Carol scans the room—
Then walks forward.
Not randomly.
Not casually..
She chooses a table—
In Jenny’s section.
Chanel notices.
Of course she does.
They sit.
Chanel crosses her legs gracefully, glancing around the restaurant.
CHANEL
Oh… we’re eating here?
CAROL
This restaurant is one of my favorites.
Chanel raises a brow slightly.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
Your favorite? Since when…
Her gaze drifts briefly—
To Jenny.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
This girl again…
CHANEL
I thought I’m the one choosing where we eat.
Carol looks at her, calm.
CAROL
Would you like to go somewhere else?
A pause.
Chanel smiles lightly.
CHANEL
Never mind. It’s fine.
Her tone is soft.
Sweet.
But there’s a subtle edge underneath.
Jenny approaches their table.
Each step feels heavier than the last.
“Are you ready to order?”
Her voice is polite.
Controlled.
But her heart—
Not as calm.
Carol looks up at her.
And for a second—
She doesn’t speak.
Just looks.
Like she’s studying her.
Then—
CAROL
What do you recommend?
Jenny blinks.
Surprised.
JENNY
Uhm… our seafood pasta is popular.
Carol smiles faintly.
CAROL
Then we’ll have that.
Chanel leans back slightly, watching.
CHANEL
I didn’t know you liked seafood pasta.
Carol reaches for her glass.
CAROL
I’m trying new things.
CHANEL
Okay. I'll get that too.
Chanel’s eyes flicker.
That answer—
Too simple.
Too vague.
Jenny writes the order down quickly.
“Anything else?”
CAROL
That’s all.
Jenny nods.
“Thank you.”
She turns—
Walks away—
But her steps feel… uneven.
JENNY (THOUGHTS)
Why does it feel like… I’m being watched…
Back at the table—
Chanel leans forward slightly.
CHANEL
Don’t tell me you came here just because of her.
Carol doesn’t answer immediately.
She calmly adjusts her fork.
CAROL
I came because the food here is great.
Chanel tilts her head.
Smiling.
But her eyes—
Sharp.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
And now you smile at waitresses, like her?
When Jenny returns with water—
Chanel looks up at her.
Soft smile.
Perfect posture.
CHANEL
Well… you work two jobs?
Jenny blinks.
JENNY
Yes.
CHANEL
That must be exhausting.
Jenny nods politely.
“I’m used to it.”
Chanel smiles.
Beautiful.
Graceful.
But something in it—
Feels like evaluation.
CHANEL
You’re strong.
It sounds like praise.
But it lands differently.
From across the table—
Carol notices.
A slight shift in her expression.
CHANEL
We’ve known Carol for years, but this is the first time I’ve seen her smile like that… and it’s because she saw me again.
The statement is gentle—
But deliberate.
Jenny nods.
“That’s nice.”
Carol sets her glass down.
CAROL
“Chan.”
Chanel turns to her.
“Yes?”
Carol’s voice remains calm.
But firm.
CAROL
“You want some dessert for later?”
A subtle message.
Enough.
Chanel leans back again.
Smiling.
But inside—
Something tightens.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
You’re protecting her?
The pasta arrives.
Jenny carefully places the plates.
JENNY
“Please enjoy.” (*•͈ᴗ•͈)
Carol looks up at her.
CAROL
“Thank you.” (.❛ᴗ❛.)
That soft smile again.
Jenny nods—
Walks away—
But she can feel it.
The tension.
Chanel watches her go.
Then slowly turns back to Carol.
CHANEL
You’re unusually talkative tonight.
CAROL
I just asked for a recommendation.
CHANEL
I thought you already knew the menu?
Carol twirls her pasta calmly.
CAROL
I’m allowed to change my order today.
Chanel studies her face.
Carefully.
No teasing.
No playfulness.
Just something…
Different.
Jenny returns to refill water.
Chanel smiles at her again—
Polite.
Elegant.
Almost too perfect.
CHANEL
Thank you!
Jenny nods.
Leaves.
The moment she’s out of earshot—
CHANEL
Car… come abroad with me.
Carol pauses.
CAROL
Again?
CHANEL
Yes. Singapore. Europe. Anywhere.
Just… leave for a while.
Carol exhales softly.
CAROL
You know I can’t do that right now.
Chanel leans forward.
CHANEL
You don’t have to stay here all the time.
Carol sets her fork down.
CAROL
My father built everything from nothing.
Her tone shifts.
Grounded.
Firm.
“Twenty branches.”
Chanel goes quiet.
CAROL
He and my mom are finally retired.
A softer look crosses her face.
“They’re in Singapore now… enjoying life.”
“They worked hard their whole lives for us.”
CHANEL
And now you are.
CAROL
Because I want to.
Her voice is steady.
Certain.
“I don’t want them worrying anymore.”
Chanel looks down at her plate.
CHANEL
So you’re choosing the bar over me.
Carol’s eyes lift immediately.
CAROL
I’m not choosing anything over you.
CHANEL
If you come with me… we could start something new.
Her voice softens.
“You don’t have to carry all of this alone.”
Carol shakes her head slightly.
CAROL
I’m not carrying it alone.
I’m running it.
Silence.
Then—
CHANEL
I’m scared.
That—
Catches Carol off guard.
Chanel’s gaze drops slightly.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
What if when I leave… you find someone else…
She doesn’t say it out loud.
But it’s there.
Clear.
Honest.
Carol’s expression softens.
CAROL
Chan… are you okay?
Chanel’s fingers tighten around her glass.
CHANEL
I barely see you smile like that.
And I don’t want to lose my place.
There it is.
Truth.
Raw.
Carol exhales slowly.
CAROL
You’re not losing anything.
CHANEL
How do you know?
Carol leans back slightly.
CAROL
“Because you’re my family.”
Chanel freezes.
Just slightly.
Family.
Not lover.
Not partner.
Not best friend.
Family.
Carol continues—
“You’ve been with me through everything.”
“That doesn’t disappear just because you’re far away.”
Chanel forces a small smile.
CHANEL
But people change.
Carol glances—
Just briefly—
Toward the cashier.
Jenny is there.
Laughing softly with a co-worker.
Something light.
Natural.
Carol watches for a second—
Then looks back.
CAROL
You didn’t.
And I don’t make decisions out of fear.
Chanel nods slowly.
CHANEL
I’m sorry…
“I just don’t want to come back and feel replaced.”
Carol reaches forward.
Gently taps her hand.
CAROL
You won’t. You know, you’re still my Chan-chan.
It’s soft.
Reassuring.
But not romantic.
Across the room—
Jenny glances at their table.
Just for a second.
And she sees it.
Carol’s hand—
Touching Chanel’s.
Jenny immediately looks away.
Her chest tightens.
JENNY (THOUGHTS)
Of course…
She forces herself to focus on work.
But something—
Settles quietly inside her.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just…
Heavy.
Back at the table—
Chanel smiles.
But her eyes—
Still searching.
Because even if Carol’s words are steady—
Her heart…
Is starting to look somewhere else.
- Writer
