Whispers Of The Shadows-The UNKNOWN

Fregnence of Vulnerability

They arrived at Zahra's house, and Gabriel decided to stay hidden outside, shrouded in the shadows to avoid detection. He wanted her to handle things alone but had no doubt she wouldn't dare cross him-he'd caught that flicker of fear in her eyes, a silent promise of her compliance.

Zahra approached the door and knocked lightly. Moments later, it opened to reveal an elderly man dressed in a formal uniform, clearly the household servant. He greeted her warmly, nodding with a respectful smile before stepping aside to let her in. As the door clicked shut behind her, Gabriel sat silently outside, now relying on the microphone he had discreetly clipped to her collar earlier when she was standing close. Through the device, he could hear every word, every rustle, as if he were right there beside her, though safely hidden in the shadows.

Inside, the air was thick with emotion as Zahra and her father sat together, reunited after so long. Their voices were soft, tender, weaving years of memories and unspoken worries into a quiet exchange. Gabriel, however, remained indifferent, his gaze cold as he listened through the microphone, unmoved by their sentiments.

Finally, Zahra took a breath, preparing herself for what she had to say. Her voice, laced with a carefully crafted warmth, broke the silence.

"Dad, I'm truly sorry for disappearing without a word. I know it must have worried you," she began softly. "I was away... for some work. And while I was gone, I met someone. He's kind, genuine... and he cares for me deeply. I'm happy, Dad. I want to be with him."

Her words flowed like honey, yet beneath her gentle tone, only she could taste the bitterness that lingered. These weren't confessions of love but carefully rehearsed lies, each word heavy with hidden resentment. And Gabriel, listening in from the shadows, could almost feel the weight of her insincerity but he didn't care as long as she played her part.

The conversation unfolded gradually, Zahra's voice remaining steady as she carefully chose each word. She needed her father to believe her, to accept her decision without questioning it. Gabriel listened intently through the device, his expression unreadable as her scripted words painted a picture he had crafted.

"Dad," she continued, her tone soft but persuasive, "I really want to be with him... but I need to keep things private for now. If people find out, reporters might follow me, and I don't want that kind of disruption." She paused, gauging her father's reaction before pressing on. "I'll be staying with him somewhere far from here, just until things settle down."

Her father's silence weighed heavily, so she quickly changed the topic, hoping to ease his worry. "In the meantime, could you look after my business? It's been struggling lately, and I know you're the only one I can trust with it."

She forced a small, convincing smile, adding, "I promise, I'll come back soon... and when the time is right, I'll introduce him to you."

Her father nodded slowly, visibly torn yet reassured by her words. Zahra's heart twisted, knowing the lies she had just spun. But as Gabriel listened, he remained satisfied; she was playing her role perfectly, just as he expected.

The night slipped away as Zahra cherished each precious moment with her father, savoring every word, every laugh. They ate together, sharing stories, reminiscing, her laughter ringing softly through the house like a melody she hadn't sung in ages. It was a bittersweet joy for her she held onto the evening as if it were her last, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what she was hiding.

Outside, Gabriel listened to the laughter with an uneasy irritation gnawing at him. He'd never heard her sound like this, so light, so unguarded. A dark bitterness stirred within him, a discomfort he couldn't quite place. He clenched his fists, pacing in the cold night air, counting the minutes, wanting her to emerge. But he couldn't call her, couldn't risk a disturbance.