In the quiet of Us

Chapter 7: Between the Lines

The following week unfolded in a blur of meetings, emails, and more late-night brainstorming sessions for the resort project. Silvia found herself caught between business and the nagging pull of something else—something that came in the form of Carlos.

It wasn’t just his boyish charm that made her heart skip a beat. He was confident, sure, with a maturity that belied his age. Yet, there was this playful, goofy side of him that kept her on her toes. He had a way of turning the simplest moments into something lighthearted. A comment about the weather, a harmless joke, or just the way he’d unexpectedly break into a goofy dance during a meeting—Carlos had a way of making her forget the weight of her responsibilities.

But it wasn’t just the humor. His maturity, the way he carried himself, was undeniable. He was professional when it mattered, focused when the stakes were high, and yet he still found the space to be genuine, to laugh, to bring warmth to every room he entered.

It was confusing, to say the least. How could someone so young make her feel both safe and intrigued?

---

Friday evening arrived, and with it, another casual get-together at Talia’s. This time, it was just the group—no work talk, just friends. Silvia could feel the tension building in her chest as she made her way to the loft. Despite herself, she was nervous. Not because of the group, but because Carlos would be there.

When she arrived, the others were already there. Noah, as usual, was sprawled on the couch, flipping through an old travel guide, while Ricky was experimenting with clay, his hands a little dusty. Talia was at the counter, preparing snacks, and William was standing by the window, looking out over the city.

Carlos, however, wasn’t here yet.

“Where’s the actor?” Silvia asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended.

Talia smiled knowingly. “He’s running late. I’m sure he’ll make an entrance when he gets here.”

Silvia rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at her lips.

“You’re all too attached to him,” Silvia teased.

“Carlos just knows how to keep things light,” Noah said from his seat. “He’s fun, but he’s got his head on straight too. I like having him around.”

“You’re not the only one,” Ricky added, his usual flirtatious tone replaced with something more sincere. “He’s a solid guy.”

Silvia felt her chest tighten slightly at Ricky’s words, but she said nothing. Instead, she focused on grabbing a drink from the bar, pretending not to notice the growing sense of anticipation in the room.

It wasn’t long before the door opened with a sudden burst of energy, and Carlos walked in, grinning from ear to ear, as if he hadn’t just been running late.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said, holding up his hands in a mock surrender. “Had to fight my way through traffic. You all look like you’ve been having too much fun without me.”

As he spoke, his eyes caught Silvia’s, and for a brief moment, the noise of the group faded away. There was something in his gaze—something both playful and intense—that made her heart race.

She forced herself to break the gaze, trying to hide the flutter in her chest. “You’re not that important, you know.”

Carlos laughed, unfazed by her teasing. “Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.” He grabbed a drink and sat down next to her, casually throwing an arm across the back of the couch, his proximity making her acutely aware of his presence.

“So, what’s the plan tonight?” Carlos asked, settling in and looking around the room.

“We’re just relaxing,” Talia said, looking up from her phone. “No business talk. Just food, drinks, and some fun.”

“Sounds like my kind of night,” Carlos said, winking at her.

Silvia couldn’t help but feel a small wave of warmth rush through her, though she kept her expression neutral.

---

As the evening progressed, the group fell into their usual rhythm. Laughter filled the room as stories were exchanged, and light teasing floated in the air. Carlos, as expected, kept the mood light, his goofy side coming through every time he cracked a joke or made a face. But he was also attentive. He listened when others spoke, chiming in with insightful comments when needed.

Silvia found herself drawn to him in a way that she couldn’t fully explain. It wasn’t just his charm—it was the way he made her feel like she could let go, even for a moment, and just be in the moment.

At one point, the group moved to the rooftop for a breath of fresh air. The night was crisp, the city lights shimmering in the distance, and the group gathered around, talking about everything and nothing.

Silvia and Carlos found themselves standing a little apart from the others, leaning against the railing, the cool breeze touching their hair.

“So,” Carlos said, looking over at her with a mischievous grin. “Tell me something—how come you’re always so serious at work, but you’re a lot more fun when you’re with us?”

Silvia raised an eyebrow. “What are you implying?”

“I’m just saying,” he replied, his tone playful, “there’s a lot more to you than the ‘serious businesswoman’ act you put on.”

Silvia crossed her arms, her gaze softening as she looked out at the city. “Maybe. But being serious is part of who I am. It’s how I built everything I have.”

Carlos nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I get that. But I think you’re more than just that. There’s a whole other side of you—one that’s not afraid to have fun and take risks.”

Silvia felt a small shiver at his words, but she quickly dismissed it. “Maybe,” she said with a shrug. “But I’m not in the habit of making things complicated.”

Carlos stepped closer, his voice lowering just a fraction. “Life’s complicated, Silvia. You can’t avoid it forever.”

Her pulse quickened at the intensity in his voice, but she held her ground. “I’m not avoiding anything. I just know what I want.”

Carlos studied her for a moment, his eyes searching hers, and then he smiled, that same goofy grin appearing as if nothing had changed. “Fair enough. But I think you might want something else too.”

Silvia felt a blush creep up her neck, but she quickly turned away, unable to meet his gaze. “You talk too much, Carlos.”

Carlos laughed, his confidence never faltering. “Maybe. But I’m not wrong.”

She glanced back at him, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked again. There was a spark between them—something undeniable. But Silvia wasn’t ready to confront it.

Not yet.

---

The evening ended with the usual goodbyes, the air still charged with the energy of their interactions. But as Silvia made her way home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were starting to change between them. She wasn’t sure where it was going, or how it would end, but for the first time in a long while, she found herself uncertain of her own convictions.

Maybe life was more complicated than she had thought. Maybe Carlos wasn’t the only one who was starting to question what he really wanted.

---x---

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