Főnix

Phoenix

Part 75: Spoken Desires

At the company, everyone is preparing for the big afternoon presentation.

In the makeup room, Phoenix is working—prepping the models for the new product shoot, disinfecting brushes, choosing shades.
This is her space: her creativity, her quiet, her order.

But the meeting room door has been left slightly open.

And through it, Elif’s loud, overly sweet voice carries clearly.

Elif—the one responsible for every presentation—is working with Albatross again.
Or at least, she’s found another excuse to.

ELIF (in a sugary tone):
“Albatross, take a look at this slide… something’s off.
Could you help? You have such a great eye for visuals.”

Her voice is too soft, her lean too deep—Phoenix has learned to recognize the signs.

From the makeup room, Phoenix can see Elif bending over Albatross’s shoulder.
She sees the hand that “accidentally” brushes against him.
She sees the smile that’s never just about work.

Phoenix’s hand freezes mid-air with the brush.

PHOENIX (inner voice):
Is this for real?
This scene again?
As if every day there’s a new reason for her to lean into you…
And I have no place at all.
Just in the background… as if we don’t belong together.

The model shifts, blinks.

LINA (model):
“Everything okay?”

Phoenix nods, tired, without putting on a showy smile.

PHOENIX:
“Yes… just a moment.”

She doesn’t go over.
She doesn’t interrupt.
She doesn’t snap at Elif.
She doesn’t defend herself.
She doesn’t put Albatross in an awkward position.

She just swallows it.

But for the first time… it’s very hard.

Her chest tightens, yet she returns to her work.

For one minute.

Then suddenly she sets the brush down and walks toward the meeting room.

By the time she gets there, Elif is already stepping out, laptop in hand, wearing a satisfied smile.

Phoenix steps aside to let her pass, says nothing.

Elif doesn’t even look at her—doesn’t feel how much this hurt Phoenix today.

Phoenix walks in to Albatross.

They’re alone.

ALBATROSS (carefully):
“Hey… are you okay?”

Phoenix lowers her head.
For a moment it seems like she doesn’t want to speak at all.

Then quietly, tightly, it spills out.

PHOENIX:
“I’ve had enough…”

ALBATROSS:
“E… enough of what?”

Phoenix looks at him. Anger and pain mix in her eyes.

PHOENIX (trembling but soft):
“Of having to watch every day as others touch you, smile at you, cling to you…
And I can’t say anything.
I can’t hold your hand.
I can’t stand beside you.
I can’t say out loud… that I love you.

As if I don’t even exist next to you.”

Albatross steps closer, gently—careful that no one sees.

ALBATROSS:
“Phoenix… I’m only with you. And I want to be with you.
I don’t want to keep this a secret anymore.
But I know… first you need to tell your mother.”

Phoenix closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

PHOENIX:
“Yes.
I’ll tell her.
Today.”

Albatross nods softly.

ALBATROSS:
“And I’ll be there with you. I won’t leave you alone.”

Phoenix’s hand trembles—but a smile appears.

She finally said it.
And finally, something has begun.

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