1 Silent Echoes

As the clock struck ten, Sophie gazed out of the window, mesmerized by the restless lights of Los Angeles. Staring at the city that never sleeps.

The city was full of lights and colors, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of its people.

It was alive with sounds and movements, offering endless possibilities and opportunities.

But Sophie could not see any of the city's charm. She felt a heavy sadness in her chest and a gnawing emptiness in her soul.

Sophie checked her phone for the tenth time that day. No new messages from Gabriel.

She sighed and tossed the device on her bed, feeling a pang of frustration and longing.

"Forget about messages and calls, Gabriel is not even coming online. What is he doing? Does he even care about me?"

Sophie murmured to herself, experienced a tumult of both anger and sorrow.

It had been four days, and Sophie's anxiety was rocketing through the sky. She couldn't stop thinking about the fight they had on Saturday night.

Was Gabriel really hurt by what she said? Such arguments had happened many times in their three years of relationship, but Gabriel never ghosted her like this.

Sophie was lost in thought as she gazed out the window. 

After a while, she took her eyes off the window, and tried to clear her mind. With her eyes closed, she stood still and silent.

But the 'beep' sound of her phone soon interrupted her silence.

Sophie unlocked her phone, saw James's name on the screen, and opened the message.

"Hey Sophie, hope you're okay. Just wanted to know if we're meeting today or not?"

Sophie had been avoiding James's messages all day. He had asked her out for dinner the night before, Sophie had told him she would let him know later.

But Sophie had no interest in going out or socializing with anyone.

Three days had passed, and Sophie remained secluded in her room. She worked from home, ignored calls, and avoided conversations.

Food became an afterthought as she obsessively checked Gabriel's online status.

Sophie couldn't ignore James's messages any longer. She was feeling trapped and restless, and longed for a change of pace.

Maybe James could offer her some relief, even if only for a while.

So she picked up her phone and sent him a quick message, agreeing to the dinner date.

Sophie started walking towards her closet...

Picked a red dress and a pair of black heels.

Putting them on and looking at herself in the mirror... she smiled, trying to boost her confidence.

Sophie was a 23-year-old woman, with long brown hair, green eyes, and an attractive figure.

The red dress hugged her curves and accentuated her skin tone.

But her eyes looked dull and lifeless.

She forced a smile on her face, because she had no reason to share her personal issues with James, who was barely an acquaintance.

They had only met each other a few times in the library.

Sophie was not one of those people who spoiled other people's time just because they were sad or in a bad mood.

And who knows, she may unwind her anxiety which had been holding her back since the last few days.

Sophie sat in front of the mirror. She put on a smile, and it brightened her face. With styled hair and smooth skin, she highlighted her features: a rosy tint from blush, a sharp look from eyeliner, a pop of color from lipstick.

Anticipating a pleasant evening, she masked her true feelings with a forced smile, attempting to convince herself.

Despite Gabriel's absence—no online presence, no read receipts—Sophie persisted in sending messages to him, since the day he ghosted her.

She diligently wrote down how much she missed him and shared the small details of her everyday life with him through messages, even though he continued to be unreachable.

Sophie grabbed her phone and texted Gabriel quickly.

"Hey, I'm going out tonight. Just a dinner. Hope you will come online soon. Love you."

As expected, the message remained with a single tick.

She let out a disappointed sigh and shrugged her shoulders.

She swiftly tucked her phone into her purse, spritzed a hint of perfume, and made her way to the door.

****************

Dear reader,

Welcome to my debut novel! I'm thrilled to share this captivating story with you. It all begins with an extraordinary love tale, brimming with a myriad of emotions. If you're seeking romance, sizzling sensuous scenes, and a touch of suspense, look no further—my book has it all. I've carefully crafted a harmonious blend of these elements. So, sit back, be patient, and let the chapters unfold before you.

Sensuous _ink