UNSEEN : Loving You In Silence

Chapter 13 - The Glimpse

The outing continued at the spa.

Eventually, all of them agreed on the full package. A full-body massage. A relaxing sauna session. Followed by manicures and pedicures afterwards.

"Exactly what I needed," Hanna sighed contentedly as she settled onto the massage bed.

The masseuse had barely started when she let out another satisfied sigh.

"I should do this more often."

Lya smiled to herself. Unlike Hanna, she had never been particularly fond of massages. She always felt awkward having someone knead every aching muscle in her body. Still, since everyone had planned it together, she decided to simply enjoy the afternoon.

The room was dimly lit. Soft instrumental music drifted through hidden speakers while the scent of lavender and lemongrass filled the air.

For the first time in days...Lya felt her body slowly relax.

"So..."

Hanna's voice broke the comfortable silence.

"Tell me again about your boyfriend."

Lya smiled with her eyes still closed.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

The masseuse quietly excused herself for a moment to prepare the hot stones, leaving the room wrapped in a peaceful silence.

Lya took a slow breath.

"We met online."

"About two years ago."

"He was in his final year at university."

"And you?"

"I was in my first year."

Hanna nodded.

"So..."

"You've been together for almost two years."

"Mhmm."

"And..."

She opened one eye slightly.

"You've still never met?"

Lya chuckled softly.

"When you say it like that..."

"It does sound a little ridiculous."

Hanna smiled.

"I wasn't judging."

"I was just wondering."

Lya fell silent. For a brief moment, she wondered the same thing herself. Neither of them spoke again. The room fell into a comfortable silence as the masseuses returned with warm towels and hot stones.

For the next hour, no one mentioned relationships. Or university. Or the future. There was only the faint scent of lavender. Soft instrumental music. And the rare luxury of doing absolutely nothing.

By the time the spa session ended, the sky outside had begun turning golden. Freshly manicured nails. Relaxed muscles. And several cups of herbal tea later, the ladies looked far more refreshed than when they first arrived.

"Alright, Amanda. I think we'll call it a day," Mommy said as they stepped out of the spa.

"Well, okay then." Auntie Amanda smiled.

"I'll be having dinner with Amelia and her boyfriend anyway."

She let out a small laugh.

"Kids these days."

Everyone chuckled.

With a warm hug and a few final goodbyes, they went their separate ways.

Auntie Amanda headed back towards her boutique, while the others made their way to the Concierge Lounge, where the mall staff had kept their shopping bags during their outing.

Several staff members were already waiting with neatly arranged shopping bags. As one of them handed over the last bag, Lya turned to Mommy.

"Mommy, is it okay if I have dinner with Hanna here?"

"Of course, honey."

Mommy smiled before looking at the growing mountain of shopping bags.

"Let us bring these to the car first."

"You girls enjoy your dinner."

"We elders are going home for some rest."

"Or maybe some takeaway at my place, Soph," Mama added with a grin.

"I don't think I have enough energy to cook tonight."

Everyone laughed again.

With Hanna, nobody ever really worried. Her father believed security should never be obvious. Which was why, wherever Hanna went someone was always watching. Close enough to protect. Far enough to remain unseen.

"What are you in the mood for?" Hanna asked after Mommy and Mama disappeared into the elevator.

"I don't know."

"What about you?"

Hanna laughed.

"Lya."

"You were the one who invited me to dinner."

"I know."

Lya smiled sheepishly.

"I just..."

"I could really use your advice."

A knowing smile spread across Hanna's face. Deep down, she already knew where this conversation was heading. Still, she decided to let Lya bring it up in her own time.

"Let's see..."

She unlocked her phone and opened the mall directory.

"What about Korean BBQ?"

"The all-you-can-eat one?"

"Mhmm."

Lya's eyes lit up.

"I'm in."

"Perfect."

"It's still early anyway."

"We have plenty of time to talk."

They walked towards the escalators instead of the elevators, which were already crowded with shoppers.

Just as Lya stepped onto the escalator... She froze. A familiar silhouette. Near the luxury watch boutique across the atrium.

Tall.

Dark shirt.

The same posture.

The same way he slightly tilted his head while listening to the person beside him.

Her heart skipped.

'Irfan...?'

No... That couldn't be. Why would he be here?

She instinctively searched the crowd again. But the man had already disappeared.

"Lya?"

Hanna's voice pulled her back. She turned.

"What are you looking at?"

Lya blinked before forcing a small smile.

"Nothing."

"I thought I saw someone."

"Who?"

She hesitated.

"...I don't know."

"Maybe..."

"My eyes were just playing tricks on me."

Hanna glanced towards the direction Lya had been staring. There was nothing there anymore.

"Come on."

"Our beef isn't going to grill itself."

Lya laughed softly.

"You're right."

Still... As they walked away... She couldn't shake the strange feeling lingering in her chest.

* * *

The aroma of charcoal greeted them the moment they stepped into the Korean BBQ restaurant.

The restaurant was lively, filled with the sizzling sound of meat on the grill and cheerful conversations from almost every table.

A waitress greeted them warmly before leading them to a cozy corner table at the far end of the restaurant.

"This is perfect." Hanna smiled as she took the seat facing Lya.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned with the menu.

After placing their orders, she informed them that the soup base would be served first, followed by unlimited access to the barbecue and steamboat buffet.

Once they were finally alone again, Hanna leaned forward with a mischievous smile.

"Okay..."

"Spill."

Lya laughed nervously.

"Hmm..."

"I actually wanted to ask your opinion."

"About...?"

Before Lya could answer, the waitress arrived carrying two steaming pots of soup.

One spicy.

One mushroom broth.

She carefully placed them onto the induction stove before arranging the grill, fresh utensils and dipping sauces neatly across the table.

"Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you."

Both girls waited until the waitress disappeared. Hanna looked at Lya again.

"Now..."

"What were you saying?"

Lya took a slow breath.

"It's about..."

"Surprise!"

A familiar male voice suddenly interrupted them. Lya gasped in shock and almost dropped her chopsticks.

"Oh my God!"

"Aidan!"

Her brother stood behind her chair with the widest grin imaginable. Standing beside him, as expected...

Was Iskandar.

"You two actually left us behind," Aidan complained dramatically as he slid into the chair beside Hanna.

"We're having a ladies' outing, Aidan."

Hanna rolled her eyes.

"You weren't invited."

"That's discrimination."

"It was intentional."

Lya laughed as Iskandar quietly pulled out the chair beside her.

"Mind if I join you, Princess?"

He took the seat without waiting for an answer.

Lya turned towards him. Her smile slowly faded.

"Is..."

"You look exhausted."

His usually neat hair was slightly messy.

His tie was gone.

The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled neatly to his forearms, while the top two buttons had been left undone.

He looked far less like the composed CEO from yesterday's meeting...And far more like someone who had spent the entire day putting out fires.

"Hahaha..."

"He had a rough afternoon with one of our veteran directors," Aidan answered before Iskandar could.

"It wasn't that bad."

"...I'm just embracing the rugged look," Iskandar replied calmly as he reached for a cube of watermelon from the complimentary fruit platter.

Lya couldn't help laughing.

"You look exhausted."

"It has been a long day."

"Understatement," Aidan muttered.

"He nearly scared one of the directors into retirement."

"I did not."

"You questioned him for forty-five minutes."

"There were inconsistencies in the proposal."

"There were inconsistencies in his soul by the time you were done."

Lya and Hanna burst into laughter.

Even Iskandar's lips curved into a small smile.

Lya reached for the service bell.

"I'll ask them to add another soup base."

"No need."

Iskandar gently stopped her.

"We'll order another set."

The waitress returned a few moments later.

Within minutes, another soup base, fresh slices of premium beef, marinated chicken, seafood and vegetables began filling the table.

As usual...

No one waited politely.

Aidan immediately threw several slices of beef onto the grill.

"Hey!"

Hanna lightly slapped his arm.

"Let me cook them properly."

"I'm helping."

"You're burning them."

"I prefer 'extra grilled.'"

"That's another word for burnt."

The table erupted with laughter.

Meanwhile, Lya quietly arranged mushrooms, tofu and vegetables into the simmering broth.

Without saying anything, Iskandar picked up the serving tongs and began grilling fresh beef beside her.

Every time a piece was perfectly cooked... He naturally placed it onto Lya's plate.

Then another.

And another.

Lya blinked.

"Is..."

"I can grill my own."

"I know."

He flipped another slice of beef.

"But you'll forget to eat while talking."

"..."

She couldn't even argue. Because he was right.

Across the table...Hanna silently watched the interaction. She lowered her eyes to her bowl before hiding a small smile.

"So..."

Aidan leaned back against his chair.

"Ready to go back to campus?"

Lya nodded.

"I guess."

"It's only one semester anyway."

"It'll pass quickly."

She smiled.

"I know."

Still...For reasons she couldn't explain...Her mind drifted back to the familiar silhouette she had seen earlier.

The same broad shoulders.

The same posture.

The same voice she thought she had heard.

Perhaps...It had only been a glimpse.

Or perhaps...

Someone had been closer than she ever realised.