CHAPTER #1: THE SILENCE
Melissa sat at the coffee table in silence.
The coffee in her mug had long gone cold. Her eyes were lowered, lost in deep thought, so distant that she didn’t hear her colleague and friend Jeffery calling her name.
“Melissa—”
No response.
He knocked on the table. “Melissa!”
“Yeah?” she replied, slightly startled.
“Is everything okay?” Jeffery asked, studying her face.
“Yeah,” she said quietly.
“I called you four times, but you didn’t respond. That’s why I had to knock on the table,” he said.
“Really?” Melissa asked, surprised.
“Are you okay, Mel? I’ve never seen you like this before. Is something bothering you?” His voice softened with concern.
“Nothing… maybe just a little tired. That’s all.” She paused, then added, “What did you need?”
“Oh, right!” Jeffery said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I came to tell you—the boss sent an email about the party on Friday night. So… when should I pick you up?”
“Party? I haven’t seen the email,” Melissa replied. She took a sip from her mug and winced slightly. “Ah… this coffee is freezing cold.”
She stood up and walked to the sink, rinsing her mug. Jeffery watched her, concern lingering in his eyes.
As she moved toward the door, he called out, “Where are you going?”
“I’m heading back to my desk. I’ve got a lot to finish. See you, Jeff.”
“But Mel—the party—when should I pick you up?”
She simply waved her hand without turning back and walked away.
Jeffery stood there for a moment, then turned back to his coffee, frowning slightly.
What had gotten into her?
She had never been this quiet… this distant before.
