The Loudest Quiet | #ONC2024

One.

Cordelia Marsden knew she shouldn't complain.

She had a great apartment, the best job, family and friends, and even an adorable mutt of a dog that wagged his tail for her every time she came home from work or the gym or just about anywhere else, as if she was the sole purpose for his existence.

She was happy, yes. But she was also missing something.

It finally occurred to her what it was when she received the call on her way home from work that evening. Buried deep in her bag, her best friend, Olivia's, smiling face popped up on the screen as she fished out her phone to answer.

"Deeli, Deeli, Deeli," Liv said by way of greeting— Cordelia couldn't even get a hello in otherwise. "What are you doing tonight?"

"You mean other than my very important date with Mito?"

Liv scoffed. "It doesn't take you all night to walk your dog. I mean after."

"Something tells me you're going to tell me."

"Yes. You're coming out with me."

"I always come out with you though."

"And tonight you really need to come out with me."

There was something in Liv's tone that Cordelia knew she was just begging to be asked why.

"Why?" Cordelia eventually conceded.

She swore she heard a silent celebratory cheer before her friend responded.

"Because Dimitri is going to be there."

Cordelia almost dropped her phone.

Dimitri... she didn't even know his surname, but that wasn't important.

He was the senior partner at the firm where Liv worked, but her friend swore on the gods above he never attended a trial in the ten years she had been there. Not that it mattered to Cordelia when a man with power and money and as charismatic and breathtaking as Dimitri didn't need to deign himself to working—

"Hello? Deeli? You still there."

Cordelia quickly returned the phone to her ear. "Hi yes, I'm here."

"So that means you're coming out?"

And it was at that moment Cordelia Marsden realized what it was she had been missing her entire life.

And his name was Dimitri.

"I'll see you at 8," was all she said in response, hanging up the call, tossing the phone back in her back, and nearly sprinting the rest of the way to her apartment to get ready for the sudden, but much-needed, evening out.