Sophie couldn't hold back her tears as she told James everything.
She started off calmly, but as she slowly revealed Gabriel and their relationship, and exposed her emotional vulnerability to James.
She sobbed after every sentence.
While Sophie spoke, James unconsciously clasped her hands on the table.
They sat in an open cafeteria. The outside air was chilly and the weather was pleasant.
There were few people around. James held Sophie's hands as she wept without stopping.
...
Sophie's tears gradually stopped, as if she had poured out all the grief inside her.
Her breath became calm, and the wetness on her face dried up.
Her gaze lifted to meet James's, the gentleness in his eyes leaving her momentarily speechless.
A faint smile graced her lips as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
The unspoken tension between them hung in the air, a delicate thread connecting their hearts.
James hesitated, feeling the weight of unspoken words. Finally, he broke the silence:
"Are you feeling better now?" His voice carried a tenderness that seemed to cradle the moment.
Sophie responded with a simple nod, reminiscent of a child seeking comfort.
After a thoughtful pause, James inquired once more:
"Sophie, would you like to discuss this issue further, or shall we talk about something else? Whatever you prefer."
Sophie remained silent, she just sat there with her head lowered.
After a brief silence she said;
"I needed to share this with you and I did. Now, feel free to ask me anything. Perhaps as we discuss, I can untangle the threads of my thoughts."
James's lips curved into a subtle smile as he fixed his gaze upon Sophie's face.
'How did this girl, who was sobbing uncontrollably just a moment ago, find the strength to face questions on this subject!!'
James admired this in his mind.
"What's troubling you at this moment? Do you still wish for Gabriel to return to your life or are you shedding tears of regret for trusting a stranger?"
James inquired with a gentle tone.
Sophie hadn't expected such a rational inquiry.
She prepared herself for the expected wave of criticism: How could you be so foolish? How could you trust a stranger online? You're smarter than this and many more…
But James went against the usual expectations, distilling the complexity into two simple options.
Sophie found solace in the clarity, even though she was unsure of what she desired herself.
Sophie took a deep breath and began to talk;
"Gabriel never confessed that he loved me. He believed our differences were insurmountable, and eventually, he would have to part ways."
"Despite this, I loved him, I loved him fiercely, because his actions spoke louder than any confession ever could"
After a pause she again started to speak;
"I'm not angry or hurt that he doesn't love me back but we had something in our 3-year relationship. He can't just vanish like that…"
As she said this, Sophie's eyes filled with tears again and her voice shook, with a trembling voice she could only say : " Maybe that's why I'm in pain"
She took a sip of water from a bottle close to her, and attempted to talk again;
"He never revealed his face to me in three years, not even on a video call. Was I in love with only with a voice, James?"
As she said this; she covered her face with her hands and sobbed like a baby.
James could not witness Sophie's state.
He left his seat and swiftly approached Sophie, leaning over slightly and embracing her from the side.
Sophie then twisted around and clutched James firmly and wept harder. James's eyes were also moist with tears.
The place was not packed, but there were some people around who were staring at them.
Sophie was oblivious to this and James was indifferent to their views.
He saw a waitress coming his way, likely worried about Sophie, but James waved her off.
He didn't want to interrupt her if she was finding some relief in his arms and tears. Her sobs carried the weight of vulnerability.
.....
Sophie eventually relaxed and became aware of her surroundings.
She gently let go of James.
Sophie probably felt embarrassed for causing a commotion with James in front of a crowd.
She whispered to James "We should go".
They quickly rose from there and headed out.
It was the hour of 10:00 in the night.
They walked along the busy street, surrounded by the sounds and lights of Los Angeles. Cars zoomed by, honking their horns and flashing their headlights. Neon signs glowed in the dark, advertising restaurants, bars, and shops. Music and laughter drifted from the open windows and doors of the nearby buildings.
They didn't talk, probably they didn't need to; wove an unspoken bond,a connection beyond words, defying the confines of language.
They walked in silence for a while, until James couldn't take it anymore.
He turned to Sophie and asked, "What do you really want, Sophie? What are you hoping for?"
She exhaled slowly, meeting his gaze. "I want to meet Gabriel, just once," she said with conviction.
"And then what?" James pressed.
She shrugged casually and glanced away.
She was torn between different choices.
They continued walking, neither of them saying a word.
James had been noticing Sophie in the library for a long time, and she always seemed bold , confident, and not easily shaken.
But today, James watched her crumble and weep for a man she barely knew.
'Was she really in love with that online guy, or was she restless because someone had ghosted her?' James wondered.
His thoughts were interrupted by Sophie's voice; "I think I should go now," she murmured, halting in her tracks.
James, in a sudden rush of emotion, uttered, "Stay with me tonight,it's for the best."
His words hung heavy in the air, more command than invitation.
Before Sophie could reply, James interjected,
"Take your time to consider it, alright ? I'll fetch the car from the parking lot, and you can call upon your driver to collect your own vehicle."
With that, he hastened toward the parking area, leaving her standing there, contemplating his words.
Sophie made up her mind after thinking for a while. Sophie had no doubts about James's trustworthiness.
Her home was empty anyway. She thought It was better to cry with him than to be frustrated alone.
....
As James steered the car toward his home,
With the radio playing a soft melody, the car was cruising along the highway.
Sophie closed her eyes and listened to the music, leaning her head against the window and letting it soothe her mind.
Her hair fluttered in the breeze, as the gentle wind was created by the car's speed.
Expressionless, her lips tight and her eyes blank, she looked like a mystery, a puzzle that no one could solve.