The Language Of Silence

Names you don't say

"Who ever denied themselves a little gossip when they unknowingly stepped into one?" Cheryl thought as she slipped back toward her office. Still, she couldn’t help replaying what she’d overheard.

“…you didn’t hear about her?” one voice asked, surprised. It sounded familiar, maybe another VP? Cheryl wasn’t sure.

“Of course not, but I’ve heard the name a few times. Is it really true?”

“Well, rumor has it she’s coming back. And the CEO’s wife might even have something to do with it.”

“How do you think Leo will take it?”

“More like—how will Cherry take it? If she’s back, it might turn into a power play soon enough,” one giggled.

“They’ll be fine, as long as the girl doesn’t cause trouble. Heard she was trouble herself. That’s why they set her off.”

“And now she’s coming back to finish?”

“Well, about time. This place could use a little drama.”

“Think Leo’s heard yet?”

“Heard what, ladies?” Leo’s voice cut in, strolling past with that false confidence everyone else mistook for charm.

The assistants exchanged quick glances. “Oh, nothing. Just heard the board’s coming. I’ll catch up later.” One hurried off.

Leo smirked. “Not the worst of it.” He busied himself at the break counter, unwrapping what looked like his lunch.

“Any idea why?”

“Not yet. Just focus on setting things right before they arrive.” His tone was dismissive, careless.

“But why’s it so low-profile? Normally everyone’s scrambling with deadlines stamped on their foreheads,” she said with a laugh.

Leo leaned in, grinning. “Well, there’s a tight meeting coming up soon. One that’ll decide exactly what gets stamped on their foreheads.” His laugh followed, casual, as if disasters were coffee breaks to him.

He turned the corner and spotted Cheryl. She was perched with her sandwich, pretending to be invisible.

“And how long have you been hiding there eavesdropping?” he teased.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she she muttered, embarrassed as she stood, drink in hand. She caught Vanessa watching her oddly as she passed. Another Vp of course.

Two things stuck with her.

Whoever this daughter was, she was serious trouble, enough to choke a conversation when Leo appeared.

And Mr. Dan’s wife? To Cheryl, she was practically a ghost.

And now, a tight meeting she hadn’t even heard about… dropped from the mouth of careless Leo?

Maybe Halloween really was the season for skeletons to crawl out of cupboards.