In the quiet of Us

Chapter 2: Under the Surface

The next morning, the group gathered at a cozy café that Silvia frequented, tucked away in one of the quieter streets of the city. It was a tradition for them to decompress after events like the gala, sharing stories over coffee and pastries. This time, Silvia had suggested meeting at one of her own cafés, the kind of space she loved best—warm, inviting, with the faint aroma of cinnamon and freshly baked bread in the air.

She arrived early, settling into a corner table by the window. The café staff greeted her warmly, clearly used to seeing her there. She was halfway through checking the café’s inventory on her tablet when the sound of Noah’s laughter broke her concentration.

“Morning, boss lady!” Noah called, striding in with Talia close behind.

“You’re loud for someone who had too much champagne last night,” Silvia teased, smiling as they joined her.

“Champagne builds character,” Noah said, collapsing into a chair. “Besides, I was the life of the party. Right, Talia?”

Talia rolled her eyes as she set her purse on the table. “Sure, if by life of the party you mean dancing like a maniac and almost knocking over a waiter.”

“It was part of the charm,” Noah defended, grinning.

“Morning,” Ricky said as he arrived, a sketchbook tucked under his arm. He slid into the seat beside Silvia and waved to the server. “Coffee, black, please. And bring something sugary for Noah—he looks like he needs it.”

“Do not,” Noah shot back, though his eyes lit up when the server brought over a basket of croissants.

William was the last to arrive, his movements unhurried. He set his phone down on the table and sighed. “Sorry, I was caught up in a call.”

“With your new favorite actor?” Ricky asked, smirking.

William’s lips twitched, but he didn’t deny it. “Carlos is hardworking. He deserves some attention.”

“He was nice,” Talia said thoughtfully, stirring her coffee. “Not what I expected, though. He seemed quieter.”

“That’s the maturity showing,” William replied. “He’s more grounded than most people his age.”

“Grounded is good,” Ricky said. “Keeps things interesting.”

Silvia stayed quiet, her mind drifting back to the conversation on the balcony. She wasn’t sure why it stuck with her. He’d been polite, thoughtful even, but that was it. She barely knew him, and yet there was a sense that he saw something in her she didn’t often let people see.

---

As they chatted, Silvia’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen: a message from one of her managers about a delayed shipment. Sighing, she excused herself to handle it.

She stepped outside, the chilly air a stark contrast to the warmth inside. As she typed out a reply, she heard her name.

“Silvia!”

Looking up, she saw Carlos approaching from across the street, dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket. He carried a coffee cup in one hand, his other stuffed into his pocket.

“Carlos?” she asked, surprised.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, stopping a respectful distance away. “William mentioned this café. I thought I’d check it out.”

“Small world,” she said, her tone light.

“Do you have a minute?” he asked.

Silvia hesitated. She wasn’t sure why he wanted to talk to her specifically, but there was a sincerity in his expression that made her nod. “Sure.”

---

They walked a short distance down the street, the sound of their footsteps blending with the morning bustle. Carlos seemed content to let the silence linger until they reached a small park nearby.

“Do you always work this much?” he asked finally, gesturing to her phone.

She smiled wryly. “When you run your own business, there’s always something to fix.”

“I get that,” he said. “Acting’s not exactly a nine-to-five job either.”

“I suppose not,” Silvia said, glancing at him. “But you seem to handle it well.”

Carlos shrugged. “Some days are better than others. Last night was one of the good ones.”

Silvia tilted her head. “Why’s that?”

“Your friends,” he said simply. “They’re... different. It’s refreshing.”

She laughed softly. “That’s one way to put it.”

“They seem close,” he continued. “Like they’ve been through a lot together.”

“We have,” Silvia admitted. “We’ve been friends for years, even before we started working together. It’s not always easy, but they’re family to me.”

Carlos nodded thoughtfully. “Must be nice to have that kind of support.”

“It is,” Silvia said, studying him. “Don’t you have people like that?”

“I do,” he said. “But it’s different. In this industry, it’s hard to know who’s really on your side.”

Silvia’s expression softened. She knew what it was like to build walls, to question people’s motives. “I guess that’s why trust is so important,” she said.

Carlos smiled at her, and for a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them.

---

When they returned to the café, the group was mid-discussion about a potential new business venture.

“You’re back,” Noah said, spotting Silvia. “And you brought a guest!”

Carlos hesitated, but Silvia waved him forward. “Everyone, Carlos decided to check out the café. Carlos, meet my overly opinionated friends.”

Noah grinned. “Don’t listen to her. We’re delightful.”

“Most of the time,” Ricky added.

“Pull up a chair,” Talia said, sliding her bag aside. “We’re brainstorming.”

“About?” Carlos asked as he joined them.

“A new resort,” William said. “It’s still in the early stages, but we’re thinking something eco-friendly.”

Carlos listened intently as they explained, occasionally chiming in with questions. Silvia watched him interact with her friends, noting how easily he fit into their dynamic. There was a quiet confidence to him, a steadiness that balanced the room.

By the time they wrapped up, Silvia found herself reassessing her initial impression of him. He wasn’t just grounded—he was thoughtful, observant, and, she realized, genuinely kind.

As the group dispersed, Carlos lingered behind.

“Thanks for letting me crash your meeting,” he said.

Silvia smiled. “Anytime. Though next time, you might end up with a job.”

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As he walked away, Silvia felt a strange mix of emotions—curiosity, admiration, and a flicker of something she wasn’t ready to name.

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This is an original work created by me, the author, and all content within this story is my intellectual property. Any resemblance to other works, real events, or people is purely coincidental.

The characters, plot, and settings have been carefully crafted, and this story reflects my personal style, creativity, and vision.

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