Chapter 4 Unspoken Things

It had been a few days since Lea met Jake again at the café, but her heart hadn't stopped fluttering. She had tried to bury the memory deep in her routine - sweeping floors, folding laundry, prepping meals, and journaling in her quiet time - but Jake's voice kept sneaking through the cracks.

That café smile.

That soft way he had said her name.

"Lea. It suits you."

Her fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of her notebook as she sat by the window. The sun was beginning to set, dipping the sky in orange and rose hues. Everything outside looked golden, like the world had put on its Sunday best.

In the corner of the living room, her mom was quietly knitting, her glasses sliding down her nose every now and then.

"You've been sighing every five minutes," Maria said without looking up. "Should I prepare wedding soup already?"

Lea gasped, cheeks warming. "Mum!"

Maria chuckled. "Don't 'Mum' me. A mother knows when her daughter's thoughts are no longer hers."

Lea folded her arms. "It's nothing."

"It's a man," Maria corrected.

Lea stared at her in disbelief. "You don't miss a thing, do you?"

Maria looked up with a twinkle in her eye. "Nope."

Lea smiled, but her mind wandered again - back to Jake's hands, his words, the unexpected softness behind the confident façade. He hadn't reached out since the café, and that bothered her more than it should've.

Was she reading into something that wasn't there? Or was he waiting on her?

Before she could spiral further, her phone rang.

"LINDA 💜 calling..."

She picked up immediately. "Hey, babe!"

"Hey!" Linda's voice was bright, excited. "Guess what?"

"You're five minutes away from my house?"

"Try... already here!"

Lea's eyes lit up. "You're kidding!"

"Nope. Outside your gate. Open up!"

Lea rushed out with bare feet, the gravel beneath her soles barely noticed. She yanked the metal gate open and flung herself into Linda's arms.

The two women held each other tightly, laughing, squealing like little girls.

"You're even prettier in person!" Linda exclaimed.

"Don't lie to me, woman," Lea said, brushing tears from her eyes.

"I'm not lying. You're glowing!"

They headed inside, where Maria welcomed Linda like her own daughter. The three of them talked and laughed over dinner - stories of college days, Linda's overbearing mother, and Lea's workplace drama.

When it was just the two of them in Lea's room later that night, Linda leaned against the headboard, eyeing her friend suspiciously.

"Now spill it. Who's the guy?"

Lea grabbed a pillow and hugged it. "His name is Jake. I met him during the car accident."

Linda's mouth fell open. "Wait - the rich-looking guy?"

Lea nodded.

"And you didn't tell me he was hot?"

Lea laughed. "You just called me glowing! What did you expect?"

They giggled like teenagers at a sleepover, whispering under the covers like the world didn't exist beyond those four walls.

"You think something could happen with him?" Linda asked seriously.

Lea hesitated. "Honestly? I don't know. He's... a little unpredictable. But there's something there. I feel it."

"Then don't let fear stop you."

Lea nodded, though deep down, fear wasn't her only concern. She had always believed in love that honored God, that built rather than broke. She needed more than butterflies.

The next morning, Jake stood in his kitchen, staring at his phone.

He had Lea's number now - Mark had slipped it into his hand with a wink after the café meet-up. But Jake hadn't messaged yet. He didn't want to rush. Or worse - come off like some playboy looking for another conquest.

He was tired of that life.

Tired of women who wanted him for the name, the money, the parties.

Lea hadn't asked for anything. Not even his number.

That alone had haunted him.

He scrolled through his photos - stopping on the candid one Mark took at the café. He was smiling at Lea, and she was mid-laugh, her eyes crinkled at the corners.

Beautiful.

Real.

He hit "compose message."

Jake:

Hi Lea. I hope you're feeling better. I was thinking... would you be open to dinner? No pressure - just food, laughs, and maybe dessert? 😊

He stared at the text for a while, then hit send.

Back at home, Lea was doing dishes with Linda when her phone chimed.

She wiped her hands quickly and read the message.

Her breath caught.

"Jake texted me."

Linda leaned in, eyes wide. "What'd he say?"

Lea read the message out loud.

Linda squealed. "Say yes!"

Lea hesitated.

"Why are you hesitating?" Linda asked.

Lea looked up at her. "Because I don't know him. Because he's rich, and I'm just... me. Because I've seen what men like him can do to women like me."

Linda softened. "But he's not every man. And God doesn't need your background to write your future."

Lea smiled faintly. "I'll think about it."

That night, she sat on her bed, holding her phone. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard.

Finally, she replied:

Lea:

Dinner sounds lovely. I'm free Friday. Pick the place. I'll be brave. 😊

She hit send before she could chicken out.

Almost immediately, the reply came.

Jake:

Brave looks good on you. Friday it is. 7pm. I'll text the details. I'm already smiling. 😊

She grinned, heart fluttering.

Friday came fast. Too fast.

Lea stood in front of her mirror, wearing a soft navy dress that fell to her knees. Her curls framed her face like a halo, and her lips were glossed just enough to catch the light. Her mother peeked in.

"You look beautiful, baby."

Lea turned. "Thank you, Mum."

Maria crossed the room and gently cupped her daughter's face. "Be wise. Be kind. And if your spirit is unsettled, come home."

Lea nodded. "I will."

As she walked out, she whispered a short prayer under her breath. "God, if this is wrong, stop me. But if it's right... please bless it."

Jake was waiting outside in a dark blue suit with no tie, just a crisp white shirt and that lazy smile that made her nervous.

"You look stunning," he said, offering his hand.

"So do you," she replied, taking it.

They drove in silence for a while, soft music playing in the background. The city was alive around them - traffic humming, lights glittering, people buzzing around like fireflies.

They arrived at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the whole city.

"Wow," Lea said as they stepped onto the terrace.

Jake grinned. "You like it?"

"I love it."

Dinner was slow, thoughtful, and surprisingly deep. They talked about childhood, dreams, fears, and faith.

"I don't usually talk like this on dates," Jake admitted, sipping his wine.

"Me neither," Lea said.

There was a moment of silence between them - not awkward, but gentle.

Then he asked, "Can I see you again?"

Lea didn't look away. "Yes."

And in that moment, beneath the city lights, something began - something real, something fragile, something holy.

Not yet love.

But the quiet beginning of it.