SEEING THE INVISIBLES

EPISODE 3

I arrived at work early the next day, intending to speak with Linda. She arrived a few minutes after me, dumped her belongings on her desk, gave me a quick glance, and then went into the boss's office, where she stayed for over an hour. I stood there watching and waiting for her to appear. She walked into the secretary's office as soon as she noticed me arriving. What was I thinking? Wasn't this something we were supposed to discuss? I returned to my seat and sat there waiting.

She emerged shortly after and proceeded to her desk after confirming that the coast was clear. I decided to wait until midday to do it. But I couldn't take my thoughts away from her. I had been in previous relationships, but this one was different. She piqued my interest. She reminded me of a case I wanted to solve and was willing to spend the rest of my life doing it. I knew I was in love with her and needed to know if she felt the same way. I'd seen individuals with blackened wings, damaged wings, even bat-like wings before, but she... I couldn't pinpoint what it was. But I knew that if I could see myself in a mirror, I'd see myself bursting into flames every time she got near me.

1 pm. It's time for lunch.

The entire time, I had avoided establishing eye contact with her.

Even so, I had been keeping an eye on her from behind a mirrored teapot. She hadn't moved from her seat and appeared completely absorbed in her job. Probably had completely forgotten about me.

When the lunch bell rang, she got up and proceeded to the cafeteria with the rest of the class. I followed in her footsteps. I observed as she moved to a corner of the table with a dish of spaghetti and salad with chicken. When she got a call, I asked for rice and pepper stew and was set to join her. I was almost knocked out by a flood of amazing pictures as she answered it. Her gold chains tightened uncomfortably on her wings, so tight that I believed I saw them bleed, as a dark cloud appeared around her. My Linda's suffering was caused by whoever was on the other end of the phone. As the talk progressed, it seemed as if something gloomy was being absorbed into her ears and head through the phone, and I observed as her entire demeanor grew dull and sad. When a coworker slammed into me from behind, I was still staring at everything. I apologized and approached Linda, who had just ended her strange discussion. She tried to smile as she gazed up at me. The gesture was unnoticed by me.

"Can you tell me who that was?" I inquired as I sat next to her.

“Can I tell you who was who?” She gave a response.

“Who is the person on the other end of the line?”

“Wow. That was a speedy response. You're not the type to be envious, are you? I can't stand it when my boyfriend is envious.” She stated that with a smile on her face.

"Whoever that was, he or she was very significant to you and clearly caused you a great deal of pain. “I can assist.”

"No, you can't," she groaned, her gaze falling to her plate. She had obviously lost her appetite. “No one is able to assist me.”

"If you'll just tell me, I might be able to help," I begged.

"You get to go first. You intended to say something at your apartment earlier. Before beginning to work. "Before we kissed,".

She returned her hesitant gaze to her plate.

"Oh, please, don't do that again." You're well aware that it has nothing to do with it.

with…wait. "Did you just call me "boyfriend"?"

She made a sneering look and muttered, "Jealous boyfriend."

“Then what is the issue?” I inquired. She fell silent once more. I took a big breath and forged ahead.

“You already know how I feel about you, Linda. I'm sure you do. I don't like to beat around the bush, therefore I'd like to know if you're married.”

"No, I'm not," she says. She stated her case.

"Do you have a fiancée?"

"Not at all..."

Oh. There was, indeed, someone. It was now my turn to be hungry. However, this individual was not her fiancé. Isn't that what she meant when she said that? When I gazed at her, she met my gaze.

“Come back to my house; there, we'll be able to chat more freely. I swear I'll be the consummate gentleman." I'd made up my mind to tell her everything. So be it if she labeled me insane and fled. But if she lets me, I'll try my best to assist her.

She grinned once more. That smile never grew old to me. It began in the center of her lips and parted to reveal little white teeth with a good form. I craved that smile like a child craves candy.

"You've already been too much of a gentleman," she added.

“Ok. It's your domain. But there's always tomorrow. I'm going to be a little...busy tonight."

“Are you busy with what?”  I said.

"Hey, you're the envious type, right?"

"Who wouldn't want to be envious of you?" I stated. "That guy would have to be  blind 

Or overconfident," she said, her gaze drifting away. I grimaced, but she didn't say anything else. She took my hands in hers and gripped them firmly. "I appreciate your care for my well-being. You're a great pal.”

That's exactly where I was trying to avoid getting across to her. More than friendship was what I desired. Much, much more. But I just smiled back and remained silent. All I could think about was how to assist her with whatever issue she was facing.