Unspoken

A Table of Stories

In the living room, the sound of warm laughter echoed as Lucas Alvarez and Samuel Díaz sat across from each other, engrossed in conversation. The two men seemed completely at ease, sharing stories and occasional hearty chuckles.

Selena's father, Lucas, is a disciplined and composed man working as a commissioner in the National Police Corps. With his sharp brown eyes, a neatly trimmed beard, and streaks of silver in his black hair, he exudes quiet authority. Though he has a serious demeanor, Lucas has a warm side, especially with his family, and his subtle humor often catches people by surprise.

Rafael's father, Samuel, is a charismatic and outgoing man with hazel eyes and a charming smile. His salt-and-pepper hair and olive-toned skin reflect his energetic and approachable personality. Known for his humor and engaging stories, Samuel has a natural ability to connect with people and is deeply proud of his son, often expressing it through playful banter.

"You know, Lucas," Samuel said with a grin, "I remember when Rafael was Kevin's age. He had that same fiery enthusiasm—always kicking a ball around, even in the house. Broke a lamp once."

Lucas laughed, shaking his head. "Sounds like Kevin, too. Except in his case, it was a window. Kids and their energy, right?"

Their laughter filled the space, a stark contrast to the quieter scene across the room.

Selena was finally starting to relax. She had stopped fidgeting, and her hands rested loosely in her lap. Rafael leaned slightly closer, his posture open and easy.

"You know," he said, his tone low and casual, "you're different than I thought you'd be."

Selena blinked, looking at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Quiet but... not shy. There's something confident about you when you're not trying to hide it."

Selena felt a warmth creep up her neck at his observation. "I don't know about that," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Rafael smirked. "Trust me, it's there. I see it."

The moment stretched between them, charged yet comfortable. Selena felt her nerves begin to melt away, replaced by a shy curiosity. But just as she opened her mouth to say something, Kevin burst back into the room like a whirlwind.

"Rafael!" he called out, flopping onto the couch between them with the energy of a hurricane. "You have to tell Selena about the time you scored that winning goal! It was epic!"

Selena shot Kevin a look, part exasperation and part fondness, as Rafael laughed.

"Alright, alright," Rafael said, ruffling Kevin's hair. "But you're hyping me up too much again, buddy. You'll make me sound cooler than I am."

Kevin grinned. "You are cool!"

Selena rolled her eyes, biting back a smile. Kevin's timing was impeccable—always managing to interrupt at the most inopportune moments. Still, a small part of her was grateful for the break in tension, even as another part wondered what Rafael might have said if they hadn't been interrupted.

As Lucas and Samuel shifted the conversation toward their work, their tones grew serious. Words like "operation," "evidence," and "suspect" floated between them, their intense expressions making it clear they were discussing something significant. Selena glanced toward them briefly, sensing the weight of their conversation, but her attention was quickly pulled back to Kevin and Rafael.

Kevin, as animated as ever, was eagerly recounting stories about Selena, much to her growing embarrassment.

"You know," Kevin started, his grin mischievous, "Selena always hides in her room when Mom asks her to clean the house. She pretends to be studying!"