Főnix

Phoenix

Part 50: Secrets of the Heart

The sun is already high by the time Phoenix and Albatross leave the cabin.
Inside the car, there is silence—but the soft kind, the “we already know something” kind.

Phoenix tilts her head from time to time to glance at Albatross, then quickly looks away.
Albatross just smiles to himself, enjoying the excitement written all over her.

They stop in front of Phoenix’s house.
Albatross doesn’t speak first—he waits, patient and attentive.

Phoenix starts talking with exaggerated casualness, but her voice trembles slightly.

PHOENIX (quickly, nervously):
“So… um… there’s something small… a request… small… well, not small—for me it’s important.”

Albatross turns toward her, his gaze calm.

ALBATROSS:
“Tell me.”

Phoenix takes a deep breath, as if gathering courage.

PHOENIX:
“Our relationship… I’d like it to stay a secret at work for now.
I don’t want everyone talking about me.
I get embarrassed enough on my own…”

A gentle, confident smile appears at the corner of Albatross’s lips.

ALBATROSS:
“Alright.
As you wish.
Our story… will stay ours—for a while.”

Phoenix visibly relaxes, suddenly brighter, as if a weight has been lifted from her.

She grabs the door handle and steps out, then leans back in, still a little flustered.

PHOENIX:
“Thank you.
We’ll… see each other tomorrow.
In a workplace… professional environment.
Chapter one: secret love… though I didn’t say that out loud.”

Albatross lets out a quiet laugh—the kind only he understands.

ALBATROSS:
“Good night, Phoenix.”

Phoenix waves quickly, then shuts the door as if afraid of being caught.

Albatross watches as she goes inside… then drives away.

Inside, Phoenix immediately kicks off her shoes, drops her bag, and starts pacing back and forth, muttering to herself—the way she does when emotions overflow.

PHOENIX (talking fast to herself):
“Oh my God, what did I just say?
A secret. A secret!
How am I supposed to keep a secret?!”

She grabs her small diary, sits down, takes a deep breath, and begins to write:

“Today something began.
No one has ever looked at me like that… and I’ve never looked at anyone that way either.
He was too close, too quiet—and yet… my heart was shouting.
I know I’m happy, but for now it has to stay secret.
I don’t want the world talking about it.
I want to enjoy it just for myself.”

She closes the notebook, hides her face in her hands, and laughs—half shy, half bursting with energy, blushing at herself.

What will tomorrow bring? — she thinks.

And excitement pulses in her chest, something nothing could possibly take away.

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