Beneath the Surface

chapter 21: piece of paper

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months...

One morning, outside Tristan's office, Sarah stands nervously, clutching a piece of paper in her hand. She takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.

Sarah: (softly) Tristan?

There's a moment of silence, and then the door opens slightly. Tristan stands there, his expression guarded.

Tristan: (coolly) Sarah. What are you doing here?

Sarah: (holding out the paper) I need to talk to you. It's important.

Tristan: (shaking his head) We have nothing to talk about.

Sarah: (pleading) Please, Tristan. Just hear me out.

Tristan: (firmly) There's nothing left to say, Sarah. You made your choice.

Sarah: (voice trembling) Tristan, this isn't only about us. It's... it's something else more important....

Tristan hesitates, but then shakes his head again, stepping back and closing the door a bit more.

Tristan: I'm busy, Sarah. You should go.

Sarah: (desperate) Tristan, it's about—

Tristan: (cutting her off) Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it. Goodbye, Sarah.

The door closes firmly, leaving Sarah standing there, stunned and hurt. She looks at the closed door for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes, before turning away and walking slowly down the hallway.

Sarah: (whispering to herself) I tried...

Sarah stands frozen in the hallway, her hand tightly clutching the crumpled piece of paper. Tears stream down her cheeks as she tries to process what just happened. She sinks down against the wall, overwhelmed with emotion.

Sarah: (whispering to herself) Why... why won't he hear me?

She unfolds the crumpled paper, staring at it through tear-blurred eyes.

Sarah: ( her voice trembling murmuring to herself) "Tristan, I didn't want it to come to this, but I have to tell you that----"

Sarah breaks down into quiet sobs, she was not able to say what she had to say, the weight of what she have to reveal and Tristan's rejection hitting her all at once. She feels alone and vulnerable, unsure of what to do next.

Meanwhile, inside his office, Tristan leans against the door, his own emotions swirling. He clenches his fists, trying to block out the echoes of Sarah's voice and the pain in her eyes.

Tristan: (to himself) Why did she have to come here... why now?

He paces the room, conflicted and filled with turmoil. Despite his efforts to push Sarah away, her presence and the news she brought shake him to the core.

Tristan: (thinking) I can't... I can't deal with this right now.

Outside, Sarah gathers herself, folding the paper and put inside her pocket and wiping her tears, she takes a deep breath, steeling herself to face what comes next.

Sarah: (quiet determination) I'll figure this out. With or without him.

She walks away from Tristan's office, her steps heavy but resolute, carrying the weight of her news and the uncertainty of their future.

Sarah rushes into the nearest restroom, her heart racing and tears streaming down her cheeks. She leans over the sink, struggling to catch her breath as waves of nausea wash over her.