Enjoy ^_^
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After the strange encounter between the two neighbors , Eileen headed to work… her thoughts were scattered, and her mind was unfocused. She kept making mistakes and causing mishaps. She threw her exhausted body onto her office chair after being scolded by her manager for her carelessness and lack of responsibility.
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Yes… No one notices you when you dedicate yourself to your work, when you sacrifice your soul and health behind a desk just to please them. But the moment you make a single mistake, they are ready to pounce, throwing harsh words at you as if to assert their power over you. It’s frustrating… but unfortunately, it cannot be changed.
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From her seat, she could hear the whispers and venomous words her colleagues spoke about her. They didn’t even bother lowering their voices… they deliberately made sure she heard them. Did she care? No… She had always been followed by those descriptions and cruel words—depressed, odd, strange. There were endless rumors about her, some even wishing she would just disappear. But… why? Why so much hatred toward someone who never hated anyone? Why does society despise those who choose to distance themselves or live in isolation? Why do they harm someone who has never harmed a soul and never even considered doing so? Isn’t that cruel?
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Again, did Eileen care? … Not really… Not much. This was nothing compared to what had happened in the past. Compared to what had made her this way, she could ignore all of this. But did it affect her? … Maybe not… Or maybe… yes. No one knew—except Eileen.
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After hours of extra work as punishment, she finally made her way home. For some reason, the road felt endlessly long. Her head was flooded with thoughts—today’s events, the punishment, the scolding, the whispers. They echoed in her mind, growing louder and louder, until they gave her a headache. She was so lost in them that she didn’t even notice the hole in the road… and just like that, the misery of her day was complete with a twisted ankle.
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A wonderful day, wasn’t it?
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She tried to stand up in vain—it seemed impossible to walk or even get up. But then, she heard a voice. A young man’s voice… It sounded familiar. She lifted her head… only to meet a pair of beautiful blue eyes.
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…: “Are you okay? That was a hard fall. Do you need help?”
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A warm voice, laced with concern… accompanied by calm yet worried eyes. Somehow, all those tormenting voices in her head went silent. When was the last time she heard such as quiet and kind tone ? Since someone looked at her this way? In his eyes, she saw something that lacked the usual mockery and hatred she was so used to. And yet, it was also far from pity.
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She lowered her gaze to the ground, breaking the eye contact between them. The boy hesitated for a moment before extending his hand, helping her stand and walk. Her mind ordered her to push him away, but her body refused. She walked with him, willingly, until they reached her doorstep.
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Then, he said, “I hope your ankle gets better. Take care of your injury, and if you ever need anything, let me know. My name is Arthur.”
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When she didn’t respond, he turned toward his own house. But just as he was about to enter—
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“Eileen.”
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A soft whisper reached his ears. He turned around, only to find that she had already gone inside. He stared at the spot where she had just been standing for a moment.
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Arthur: “So… Eileen… That’s a beautiful name.”
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And with that, he entered his home, welcomed by its warmth.
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As for Eileen, her thoughts revolved around that young man. She forgot all about her terrible day—what happened just moments ago was all that occupied her mind. But this time, it wasn’t her mind that was preoccupied… it was her heart that was thinking.
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Was that a bad thing? … She didn’t know.
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But for the first time in a long while, she was able to sleep without nightmares.
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After spending some time thinking with her heart… So, is this what they call… feelings?
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The End of the Chapter.
Sorry if you make any mistakes
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I hope you liked it.
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♡ With love ♡
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