Episode 6 Unwritten Paths
1189 Words
The open-concept office hummed with quiet energy—phones ringing, heels clicking, printers whirring softly in the background. Every desk seemed to breathe ambition.
“Good morning,” she greeted the receptionist, who smiled brightly.
“Morning, Ms. Sahara. Mr. James said there’s a new associate starting today. You might want to meet with him”
Before Sahara could respond, a voice came from behind her.
“That would be me.”
Sahara turned — and for a second, forgot to breathe.
He was tall, sun-kissed, with an easy confidence and a disarming smile. A navy-blue suit that fit just right, and eyes the color of warm honey — bright, curious, a little mischievous. There was something effortlessly magnetic about him, the kind of presence that made the air shift.
“I’m Aiden. Aiden Cole,” he said, offering his hand. “New associate, just moved from San Diego.”
She shook it, smiling politely. “Sahara Nelson. Also new.”
“Ahh, so I’m not the only rookie,” he teased. “That’s a relief. Maybe we can survive this place together.”
Sahara laughed softly. “Survival might be the right word.”
They chatted briefly. Aiden was easy to talk to — warm, funny, the kind of person who made the air lighter. And unlike William, he didn’t make her heart race with old memories — just… comfort. A different kind of pull.
Later that afternoon, William called Sahara and Aiden into his office.
“I’ll have both of you shadow me this week,” he said, his tone clipped but professional. “There’s a new property in Beverly Hills we’ll be reviewing — a potential high-end listing. I’d like your observations.”
Aiden nodded eagerly. “Absolutely, sir.”
William’s gaze shifted to Sahara, lingering a beat longer than necessary. “Ms. Nelson, I trust you’re settling in?”
“Yes,” she replied, forcing a calm smile.
“Good.” His eyes flickered briefly to Aiden, then back to her. “You’ll work closely together this week. Learn each other’s strengths.”
As they left the office, Aiden leaned closer. “Your boss is… intense.”
“You have no idea,” she murmured.
He grinned. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to balance that out. I’m more of a fun under pressure kind of guy.”
She arched a brow. “Fun under pressure?”
“You’ll see,” he said, his eyes glinting with playfulness.
By the end of the day, Sahara found herself laughing again — something she hadn’t done much since she walked into William & Gray. Aiden’s charm was effortless, but his kindness felt genuine. He remembered everyone’s name, helped a junior assistant fix a jammed printer, and brought her coffee without asking how she liked it — and somehow got it right.
There was something easy about him — something she hadn’t felt in years.
It was evening, she was leaving, when Aiden caught up to her by the elevator.
“Hey,” he said, smiling. “There’s a sushi bar a block away. You up for celebrating surviving day two?”
Sahara hesitated — and then smiled. “Sure. Why not?”
They walked out together, the sunset painting the L.A. sky in deep orange streaks. The city looked alive — like it was holding its breath for something.
At the sushi bar, laughter came easier than she expected. Aiden told her about growing up by the ocean, about how he believed every big city had a rhythm, and you just had to learn to dance to it. She told him about Seattle, about her love for rain and quiet mornings.
He paused mid-sip. “Wait — you went to the University of Seattle?”
Sahara nodded slowly. “Yeah…class of 2017.”
Aiden’s eyes widened. “No way. I was there too — business program, same year. I swear I remember you.”
She blinked, startled. “Really?”
“You used to sit near the fountain on weekends, sketching. I remember thinking you looked like someone who belonged in a painting.”
Her breath caught — the memory rushing back, the fountain, the autumn leaves, the sense of possibility. She smiled softly. “I can’t believe this.”
“Maybe we were meant to meet again,” he said lightly, though his eyes held something deeper.
For a brief moment, she felt a strange warmth — that gentle nudge of fate she couldn’t quite explain.
When they stepped back out into the evening breeze, Aiden walked her toward the curb. The streetlights glowed softly, catching in his hair as cars streamed past in the golden haze of early evening.
“Same time tomorrow?” he asked, his smile easy but hopeful.
“We’ll see,” she teased.
“Good,” he said, grinning. “I like a little mystery.”
A yellow cab pulled up just then. Aiden stepped forward, whistled lightly to catch the driver’s attention, then opened the door for her with an old-fashioned charm that made her heart lift unexpectedly.
“Get home safe, rookie,” he said with a playful salute.
Sahara laughed, sliding into the back seat. “Thanks, Aiden. See you tomorrow.”
As the cab pulled away, she glanced back through the window — catching a glimpse of him standing under the soft streetlight, hands in his pockets, watching until the car disappeared into traffic.
Her reflection in the glass looked softer, almost glowing. It had been a long time since she’d felt this light.
William exhaled, the sound quiet in the empty office. On his desk lay an old picture—two students laughing in front of the Seattle University library. Her smile, his arm around her shoulders.
He hadn’t looked at it in years.
Until tonight.
As the city lights flickered below, he whispered to himself, almost bitterly,
“I guess fate really does have a sense of humor.”
For a long moment, he just sat there, staring at the photo — at the ghost of what once was — until the silence began to press in. With a tired sigh, he reached for his car keys, the metal clinking softly against the wood of his desk.
The office felt colder than usual as he stood and buttoned his jacket. He cast one last glance at the city beyond the window — glittering, alive, and utterly indifferent — then turned off the light and walked out.
He slipped on his jacket and made his way out of the office, the quiet hallway stretching endlessly ahead. The elevator doors opened with a low chime, and moments later, he stepped into the cool night air of the underground parking lot.
He slid into his car, the leather seat creaking beneath him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt the weight of being alone.
As he drove home through the gleaming streets of Los Angeles, the picture lingered in his mind — her laughter, her warmth, and the quiet ache of knowing some things, no matter how much time passes, never really fade.
- Writer
