Fragments Beneath His Silence

Rain had always, had a way of making the city feel distant. Like everything was happening behind a glass. Muted, blurred, and untouchable. And today felt no different.

Under the narrow awning of a convenience store, stood Amaya Bennett, clutching a paper bag to her chest as she watched the rain fall in sheets across the empty street. Her shift had ended later than usual.

The fluorescent lights inside the store buzzed faintly behind her. Every time the automatic door slid open, the warmth from inside brushed against her back.

She should leave. She knew that. But it felt impossible with the rain not slowing down. And neither was the unease sitting in her chest.

It wasn't anything new. Just... one of those feelings.

Amaya shifted her weight, glancing at her reflection in the glass. Her face was pale. With eyes that always looked like they were searching for something just out of reach. Slightly, she frowned.

"Still waiting?" the cashier called from inside, leaning lazily against the counter.

Amaya turned at his voice, offering a small smile. "Yeah. I thought it would stop."

He snorted. "In this city? Good luck."

She huffed softly, hugging the bag closer. Though there was nothing special. Just instant noodles, bread, and a small carton of milk. Enough to get through the next couple of days. A quiet, safe and normal life. Just how she liked it.

Suddenly, a car passed by, its tires slicing through the water which sent a wave crashing against the curb. Aria stepped back instinctively, her shoulder brushing the glass. The motion made her pause. And like a flash, something flickered in her mind.

Water.

Not rain.

Something darker.

Her breath hitched. It all happened in just a second; A floor. Shiny. Wet. Red. Aria blinked hard, and it was gone. "...You okay?" the cashier asked, his tone shifting slightly.

She glanced at him, forcing a laugh. "Yeah. Just... tired." She said. He didn't look convinced, but let it go. If she says so. He wasn't going to stress it. Moreover, it wasn't going to add anything to his life.

Amaya on the other hand, exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers against her temple. It was happening again. Those flashes. It always came sudden and incomplete. Leaving her with more questions than answers.

The doctors had called them "residual memory fragments." Said it was normal after trauma. Said they might come back fully one day... or they might not. Aria didn't know which scared her more.

At that moment, thunder rolled faintly in the distance. She looked up. The rain had softened a little than earlier. "Guess that's my cue," she murmured.

Pulling her jacket tighter around herself, she stepped out from under the awning and into the drizzle. Her apartment wasn't far. A ten-minute walk, fifteen if she stopped by the pedestrian crossing that always took forever to change.

The streets were usually quieter at this hour. Office lights dimmed, and Restaurants closing. The city settling into that strange in-between where everything felt slower, but not asleep. Aria liked it that much. To her, it felt... manageable.

She passed a small laundromat, its machines humming steadily through fogged-up windows. A couple inside laughed over something, their voices muffled but warm.

For a moment, she slowed and Watched. There was something comforting about ordinary life. About people doing simple things. Laundry, groceries, and conversations.

Things she could understand. Things that didn't always come with missing pieces. Just then, Her phone buzzed in her pocket Amaya pulled it out, balancing the paper bag awkwardly in her other arm. It was an Unknown Number.

She frowned, then declined it. Probably a wrong number. Or spam. So she thought, but for no reason, her fingers still lingered on the screen for a second longer than necessary. A strange feeling settled in her chest. Like she had just ignored something important.

She shook her head, slipping the phone back into her pocket. "You're overthinking," she muttered to herself. A thing she had been doing sometimes; talked out loud when her thoughts got too loud.

As she turned another block, her building came into view It was nothing fancy. Just a modest structure with peeling paint and a flickering hallway light that management never seemed to fix.

As an habit, Amaya climbed the stairs instead of taking the elevator. It was slower, but she preferred it. The movement helped clear her head.

She headed up, first, the Second floor. And then, Third. By the time she reached her door, her breathing had steadied.

She fumbled with her keys, finally unlocking as she stepped inside. Darkness greeted her the moment she walked in. Amaya flipped the switch. Warm light flooded the small space which was just a one room.

A bed was stationed in the corner, a tiny kitchenette, a desk cluttered with notebooks and loose papers.Her little world.

Without hesitation, she set the groceries down, slipping off her shoes before heading straight to the window. The Rain tapped softly against the glass. More quieter and calmer.

She leaned her forehead against the cool surface. Everything felt still, but this stillness was immediately interrupted by a soup. Not outside, but indoors.

A voice low and sharp. "...You weren't supposed to see this." Amaya froze. As her heart slammed violently against her ribs.

The room was empty. She knew it that. Yet, her breath came faster. And her fingers trembled as she stepped back from the window.

Another flash of waves hit her. First, a hand. A gold ring. Then, a man falling. Amaya gasped, stumbling backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed.

She collapsed onto it, clutching her head. "No... no, no..." Her vision blurred as her chest tightened.

The image slipped away just as quickly as it came. And it was gone.

Leaving behind nothing but the echo of fear. She stayed there for a long moment, breathing hard, and staring at nothing. Then slowly... painfully... she sat up.

"It's just a memory," she whispered. "Just a broken one." But it didn't feel broken. It felt buried.

Whatever was underneath it, didn't want to stay hidden forever.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, high above the streets, where glass walls reflected the storm and the skyline stretched endlessly, Jake Anderson stood in silence.

His office was dark except for the faint glow of the city lights behind him. On his desk, laid an opened. Containing Photographs, Reports and Names.

All leading to one thing. A murder. His father's murder. Jake's gaze didn't waver as he looked down at the final page.

Witness: Unidentified female. Status: Missing. Two years.

It's been two years, and she had vanished without a trace. But Jake didn't believe in things like coincidence. Nor disappearance. Everyone leaves a trail, one way or the other.

You just had to be patient enough to find it. He reached for his glass, taking a slow sip of whiskey before setting it back down.

"Find her," he said.

Behind him, his assistant straightened. "We've exhausted all leads."

"Then start again." His voice was calm. The kind of calm that didn't allow room for failure.

"Yes, sir."

Jake turned, finally facing the city. Rain streaked down the glass in front of him, distorting the lights into something almost unrecognizable.

"Someone saw what happened that night," he murmured. His reflection stared back at him-cold, controlled, and unreadable. "All I need is to find her..." His eyes darkened. "...she's going to expose the bastard."

Morning came quietly.

Amaya stirred awoke before her alarm, eyes snapping open as if something had pulled her out of sleep. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the ceiling. Her breathing uneven.

The dream lingered longer than necessary. But none of it was clear. Only the heavy and suffocating feeling. It felt like she had been running... or hiding.

Intuitively, she pressed her lips together. Turning onto her side, as she pulled the thin blanket closer around her.

"It's just a dream," she murmured, though her voice sounded unconvinced even to herself.

At that moment, the phone buzzed on the bedside table. 6:12 AM, the alarmed displayed.

It was too early, but she had to get her day going. With a small groan, Aria pushed herself upright, running a hand through her slightly tangled hair.

The room was still dim, the soft gray light of morning filtering through the curtains. She swung her legs off the bed, stretching slowly as she stood. Her body felt stiff, like she hadn't rested at all.

Her daily routine had always been her go to.

It never disappointments. Standing at the kitchen, the kettle whistled softly. Amaya leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone.

Job listings displayed once again.

She had been doing this every morning for the past three weeks. It had become part of her routine. She had expenses to cover. And her part-time shift at the convenience store barely covered rent. She needed something stable-something better.

After a few minutes, her thumb paused mid-scroll.

Blooms Global – Administrative Assistant (Entry Level)

A slight frown swept her face. That name again.

It had shown up more than once throughout her search.

It was a big company, corporate and competitive. Definitely out of her league. But Amaya tapped on the listing anyway. The Requirements, Responsibilities, Long hours and High expectations came to view.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah... no." She exited the page once again, and set the phone down just as the kettle clicked off.

But as she poured the hot water into her cup, something nagged at her. That name, Blooms Global. It felt... familiar. Not in a clear way, nor something she could place her hand on.

It was just a faint tug at the back of her mind. Like a word on the tip of her tongue. Amaya shook her head, stirring her tea.

"You're imagining things," she muttered. Yet still, she picked up her phone again and saved the listing.

By 8:30 AM, the city was alive and buzzing with activities. Amaya stepped onto the bus, gripping the overhead rail as it lurched forward. The usual crowd filled the space. Students, office workers, and people half-awake and glued to their phones.

The ride roughly took twenty minutes. Just enough time for her to zone out. Watching buildings pass by the window in a blur.

As she got to her stop, she rang the bell and stepped off. Amaya walked the rest of the way to the convenience store. The moment she oushed the glass door opened, the bell chimed as she entered.

"You're early," the cashier from last night said, glancing up from behind the counter.

Amaya smiled. "Couldn't sleep."

He hummed. "Join the club."

He said, as Amaya moved behind the counter, tying her apron as she got to work. Restocking shelves, to organizing the drinks, and down to wiping down surfaces. It was a simple repetitive and grounding work.

For a while, the strange feeling from the morning had faded. Until the door chimed again. Instinctively, Amaya looked up.

Only to see a well dressed man, looking totally out of place as he stepped in. He sure wasn't here for snacks. That much was obvious.

His gaze slowly and deliberately swept the store and finally landed on her.

Amaya's fingers stilled on the shelf. She felt something tightened in her chest. The man smiled. But for some reason, it didn't reach his eyes.

"Good morning," he said casually, walking toward the counter.

"Morning," Amaya replied, forcing her voice steady.

He stopped in front of her, resting one hand lightly against the counter. "Do you work here every day?"

Amaya hesitated. "Most days."

His eyes flickered sharp, more like assessing. "Long shifts?" He asked.

" It depends." She muttered.

For the next two minutes, silence stretched between them. Then, he softly chuckled. "You must get tired."

"I manage." Amaya shrugged.

His gaze lingered on her face for a second longer than necessary. Then, just like that, he straightened. "I'll take a coffee."

Relief flickered briefly through her. "Sure."

She turned, focusing on the machine, as awareness of his presence hit from behind her. He was watching, and she knew that.

As she handed him the cup, their fingers brushed. Amaya flinched. The contact, somehow, spark something cold from within.

It came as a flash; a hand. A gold ring. Her breath hitched. And the cup slipped slightly in her grip.

"Careful," the man smoothly said, catching it before it fell.

In that moment, their eyes met. Just for a split second. And something dark flickered in his expression. Like recognition.

On an impulse, Amaya quickly pulled her hand back, her heart pounding heavily against her chest.

"Sorry," she murmured.

"No need." He paid, still watching her. Just like that, he turned and walked out.

He was gone in the next minute but the air he left behind felt... wrong.

"You okay?" her coworker asked.

Amaya blinked. "Yeah. Why?"

"You went pale."He explained.

"I'm fine," she quickly answered. But she clearly wasn't. The rest of her shift continued but she couldn't shake out the feeling that something had just changed.

Apart from that unusual encounter, the day dragged by with no special happening. That evening, Amaya retired home earlier than usual.

She sat cross-legged on her bed, her laptop open in front of her. The Blooms Global listing stared back at her. She had no reason to apply.

No qualifications that stood out. And no connections.

Yet, her fingers hovered over the keyboard. "Just give it a try," she whispered to herself. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Rejection was a normal thing to her. She exhaled slowly. Then, started typing.

·

.

.

~ ~ ~

The company had retired but Jake was still seated behind his desk. It was a sleek office bathed in cool light.

He flipped through a report. His expression unfazed. But the air around him felt heavy enough to suffocate.

"Run it again," he said.

His assistant stiffened. "Sir, we already-"

"I don't care." He cut him short, his voice still calm and controlled. "Run. It. Again."

There was a brief silence. "Yes, sir." He answered.

Jake leaned back in his chair. His gaze drifting briefly to the city beyond the glass. Something was off. He couldn't explain it, but he could sense it

And his instincts...were never wrong.

.

.

.

Meanwhole, the man from the convenience store stepped into a dimly lit office. He loosened his tie, his expression no longer pleasant. But cold and calculating.

He pulled out his phone. And a photo filled the screen. It was a blurry image from Two years ago. The girl looked young, frightened and covered in shadows. He stared at it. Then, a smile slowly spread through his face.

"I found you."

Amaya on the other hand, hit the submit button.

Sending out her application on an instant.

Sleep came but Amaya couldn't get any proper rest. She had woken up three times during the night. Each with the same lingering unease sitting heavy in her chest. There were no clear dreams, just fragments of emotion she couldn't explain.

By morning, she gave up trying. The alarm hadn't even gone off yet when she sat up, rubbing her face tiredly. "Great," she muttered. "Another long day."

Just then, the phone buzzed. Amaya blinked, immediately reaching out for it. And there it sat, an email notification. She slightly frowned, unlocking the screen. But then, froze.

Subject: Interview Invitation – Blooms Global

Her heart skipped. She had totally forgotten about the email she skeptically sent.

"What...?" She jerked up as she sat straighter, quickly opening it.

Dear Ms. Bennett,

We are pleased to invite you for an interview for the Administrative Assistant position at Blooms Global...

"Sh*t..." Amaya stared at the screen like it might disappear."They actually replied...?" A nervous laugh slipped out.

That wasn't supposed to happen. She had applied on an impulse. No expectations, no hope.Her stomach twisted, paying attention to the details.

The interview was scheduled at 11:30 AM. "Today?!" she groaned, scrambling out of bed.

Swiftly, she carried out her basic routine and hurried out. By 10:45 AM, Amaya stood across the street from the company's Headquarters. A sudden regret taking roots with her thoughts.

The building towered above the city in its intimidating perfection. People moved in and out with purpose, dressed in sharp suits and confidence she definitely did not have.

Amaya looked down at herself. She appeared decent in her Simple blouse, coupled with a Black skirt and a Low heels. But that was just not... it.

"Too late now," she whispered. It's not like she could easily go back and change. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the street.

What made the whole experience overwhelming was, was even more overwhelming, was the lobby. It's marble floors, high ceilings and clean lines everything screamed power.

Amaya hesitated just as she passed the entrance, unsure where to go.

"Interview?" a voice asked. She turned to see a receptionist smiling politely behind a sleek desk.

"Oh-yes. Um, Amaya Bennett." The woman typed quickly, then nodded. "You're expected. Take the elevator to the 18th floor."

"Thank you." She said.

Amaya walked toward the elevators, her steps a little too careful. As her reflection followed her in the mirrored walls, nervous.

The elevator's door slid open, she stepped and pressed 18. It instantly set into motion. The ride somehow felt longer than it should be as she waited in anticipation.

She was so anxious that, every ding at each floor made her chest tighten a little more. By the time the doors finally opened at her destination, her palms were slightly damp.

"Okay," she whispered. "You've got this." Those words felt empty but she tried to positive as she stepped.

The waiting area was already occupied when she got there. Three other candidates were already seated in a neat row of chairs, all dressed impeccably.

One woman glanced up at Amaya, then back down at her phone. Amaya swallowed and took the last empty seat. Her hands folded neatly in her lap.

As she waited, she just kept watching and observing. A habit she didn't realize she had. The room was quiet until the elevator doors behind them clicked open again.

A firm and measured footsteps immediately followed. Amaya felt it even before she saw him.

The subtle shift in the room was real. One by one, the other candidates straightened. The tension sharpened.

Amaya slightly frowned as she turned, at that moment, everything... slowed. Dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, he walked past without looking. His tall figure and heavy prescence, spark command and control.

Like the entire space belonged to him without question. Lucien Blues. Amaya had no idea who he was yet. But something inside her reacted anyway. A strange pull umfamiliar and unsettling pull. Her breath caught.

For just a second, he paused. Just enough for his gaze to slightly shift almost in her direction.

Amaya's fingers instinctively tightened in her lap.

And justblike that, he strolled off. Disappearing down the hallway.

The moment broke, and the hallway broke into ruckus. "...That's him," one of the candidates whispered.

"The CEO."

Aria blinked. "CEO?" The words sounded in her mind as her chest tightened slightly.

"That's... Lucien Blues?"

The name settled in her mind. Heavy, important and strangely familiar.

~~~~

Lucien on the other hand, didn't slow down until he reached his office.The moment the door shut, the silence returned. Just the way he liked it. But then, something lingered.

An unwanted and unexplained feeling. He slightly loosened his cuff, his expression unchanged. Yet his mind- clouldn't move on from that face. Though it was a brief and fleeting moment.

His jaw tightened. "Who was that?" he suddenly asked.

His assistant looked up. "Sir?" He muttered, obviously confused.

"The girl in the waiting area." He explained. There was a subtle silence.

"I'll check." He answered.

Lucien said nothing as moved toward the window. The city stretched endlessly below as he gazed outside. But his focus wasn't there.It was... elsewhere. Something about her, didn't sit right with him.

Back in the waiting, Amaya snapped out of her thoughts the moment her name called. "Yes."She muttered.

"Please come with me."

Amaya jerked up, smoothing her skirt before following the interviewer down the hall. Her heart was racing . But not just from nerves.

That man- Lucien .Why did it feel like she had just walked past something important?

The interview room was simple as they stepped in. A clean and professional setting.

She sat across from two managers, answering questions, and trying her best to stay composed.

"Tell us about your previous experience."

"Why Blooms Global?"

"What are your strengths?"

They were all normal questions.Which Amaya answered honestly and carefully. Slowly, she relaxed. Just a little untile a sharp pain hit her head.

It came suddenly but intense. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her chair.

"Ms. Bennett?" one interviewer asked.

"I-I'm fine," she quickly mumbled. But she wasn't.

Flashes of something unclear blurred her vision.

A room. Then..., Darkness.

A man standing. Then...

Another man- Falling. Then...

Blood-

Amaya sucked in a breath. And just like that, it was gone.

"...Would you like some water?" the interviewer asked. The words felt distant at first, then it suddenly became clearer.

"Yes. Thank you." She answered. Within a minutes, a bottle of water was rushed over. Her hands trembled slightly as she took the glass.

"Sorry. I just... didn't sleep well."

They nodded politely. But she could feel the something shift in the air. And somewhere behind the glass wall, Lucien watched.

His expression unreadable.But his eyes was

Sharp, focused, and locked on her.