One Shot Collection #2

28 - The Unwritten Words

In the heart of Vienna, where the streets hummed with the echoes of classical music and the scent of freshly brewed coffee, a story was unfolding—a story of unexpected connections, of vulnerability, and of love blossoming in the most unlikely of places.

It was the year 1990, and Vienna had just started to recover from the tremors of the past, a city where history was woven into every brick and every note of the waltz that seemed to define its spirit. In this city of art and culture, two people—whose paths were as different as night and day—were about to cross in a way neither could have imagined.

Lucas Keller, a 30-year-old author, had made a name for himself in the literary world. His books, a collection of introspective novels about loss and self-discovery, had garnered a loyal following. But despite the fame, Lucas often felt as though something was missing. He lived in a small, cluttered apartment in the city's historic center, surrounded by books that lined every wall. His life was filled with words, yet he often found himself staring at blank pages, unable to fill them with anything meaningful.

Lucas wasn't lonely, but he often felt like he was standing on the edge of something—something he couldn't quite name.

Then there was Laura Baumgartner, a 20-year-old lawyer. She had been thrust into adulthood far too soon, taking on responsibilities that no young woman should bear. As a single mother to a two-year-old daughter, Emilia, Laura had learned early on that life was hard. Her job as a lawyer, though demanding, was a means to an end. She didn't have time for much beyond work and caring for Emilia, and the thought of love seemed like a distant dream, something that belonged to another world entirely.

Despite the weight of her responsibilities, Laura carried herself with quiet strength. Her determination was something Lucas admired from a distance, though he hadn't yet met her.

The two first crossed paths on a rainy afternoon, in a small café just off Kärntnertor Theater. Lucas had come there to write, seeking the calm and ambiance the café offered. He always sat in the same corner, sipping his coffee and watching the world outside, waiting for inspiration. That day, the café was crowded—people were escaping the rain, huddling under umbrellas and coats, their voices a soft murmur in the background.

Laura, drenched from the rain, walked in with Emilia in her arms. She was trying to shield the little girl from the downpour with her own coat, but the two of them were soaked through. With no available tables, she moved toward the corner where Lucas sat, her eyes scanning the room in desperation.

"Excuse me," she said softly, her voice barely audible above the noise. "Is this seat taken?"

Lucas looked up from his notebook, his pen paused in mid-air. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him, least of all a young woman with a child in tow. But there was something in her eyes—something that made him set his pen down. He glanced around at the empty chairs and shook his head.

"No, it's not taken," he said, his voice a little hoarse from the sudden interaction.

Laura smiled gratefully and set her bag down on the table before settling into the chair, Emilia still nestled against her chest. She pulled her coat tighter around the child, who had fallen asleep despite the chaos of the café. Lucas couldn't help but notice how natural she looked, how tenderly she held the little girl.

"Thank you," she murmured, glancing up at him briefly. She seemed out of place in the café, but not in a way that felt uncomfortable. She had a quiet grace about her, despite the exhaustion that lingered in her eyes.

Lucas nodded, unsure of what to say. There was something magnetic about her—a quiet strength in her posture, a vulnerability hidden just beneath the surface. It intrigued him. But he was an author, and his mind immediately started weaving stories around her—fictional tales of who she might be, of what her life was like. He found himself wanting to know more about the woman who had captured his attention so effortlessly.