The reliable little grey mouse! Whod even want you? everyone used to laugh. But as time passed, every new day blurred into the last. Emily sat at her desk, the stack of papers in front of her like a living thingquiet but relentless, swallowing up space and time. Folders, files, reportsall piled into a teetering tower threatening to collapse. Her colleagues approached with smiles and requests that sounded like foregone conclusions. Em, you wont say no, will you? Love, could you help? Im swamped. Youre the most responsible one hereonly you can do this. And Emily never refused. She just couldnt find the words to disappoint anyone.
The clock ticked slowly, and by eight in the evening, the spacious office was silent except for the steady tap of her keyboard and the soft snores of the security guard napping at his post. Emily still hunched over her monitor, the cold screen light casting shadows under her tired eyes. At thirty-two, she wore a plain grey cardigan and tucked her hair into a neat bun. She was the one people relied on, the one who never let them down. Convenient.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed, shattering the quiet. Mum flashed on the screen. Emily took a deep breath and answered.
Em, love, where are you? Still at work? Her mothers voice was tense, laced with worry.
Just finishing up. Everythings fine.
Sweetheart, I worry! Youre always workingwhen do you live? Her mum sighed as if carrying the weight of the world. At your age, I was already seeing your dad, and you
Mum, please dont worry, Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache building. Actually Ive met someone.
Silence. The words had tumbled out before she could stop thema shield against another round of anxious questions.
Really?! Her mothers voice lit up. Em, why didnt you say? Whats his name? Tell me everything!
We its new. I wanted to wait until things settled.
Bring him Saturday! For lunch! Ill make your favourite soup, bake that apple pie you loveI want to meet him!
Emily closed her eyes, picturing it. A whole week to find someone willing to play the partto avoid crushing the woman who meant everything to her.
Alright, Mum. Well be there.
After hanging up, she dropped her head into her hands. What had she done? Where would she find someone to go along with this?
The next morning, dark circles under her eyes betrayed her sleepless night scouring dating sites. Every profile felt hollow. How could she describe herself? Quiet accountant seeks man for pretend dates?
Em, you look awful, chirped a voice. It was Lucy from marketingbubbly, blonde, and perpetually in her business. They werent close, but Lucy had a knack for bulldozing into personal space uninvited.
Just tired, Emily mumbled.
Liar. Spill.
And Emily did. Maybe from exhaustion, maybe because she couldnt hold it in anymore, she confessed everythingthe lie, the lunch, the imaginary boyfriend.
Lucy clapped. Sorted! Im taking over. Well transform you, find a decent bloke, and your mum will stop fretting. Deal?
Lu, no, Ill figure it out
Youll drown in paperwork. Meet me after work.
That evening, Lucy dragged her to a posh restaurant in the city centrecrisp linen, gleaming cutlery, prices that made Emilys stomach drop.
I dont belong here, she whispered, shrinking into her chair.
Relax! Just act the part.
But Emily didnt know how to act. She slumped in her old cardigan while Lucy charmed strangers, swapping jokes and numbers. Emily felt like an imposter.
Thats Oliverowns a chain of coffee shops, Lucy whispered as a polished man with a confident smirk approached.
Ten minutes later, hed monologued about his expansion plans without asking her name, then excused himself. Next came Henry, then James. All glanced at her, then lost interest.
Chin up, Lucy said on the way home. Tomorrow, were hitting a self-improvement seminar. Better crowd.
The seminar was worse. A cramped room of strangers shouting about self-love and hugging. Emily pressed against the wall, panic rising. When the neon-clad host called her to share her deepest fears, she wanted to vanish.
Youre blocking your joy! he boomed. Let yourself be happy!
Emily stayed silent. She didnt want to share. She wanted tea, quiet, safety.
The next few days blurred into more of the sameparties, networking, forced smiles. With every hour, Emily felt emptier. This wasnt her world.
On Fridayone day before the lunchEmily stayed late again, finishing a colleagues quarterly report because theyd asked, and she couldnt say no.
Still here? A familiar voice. It was Daniel from ITtall, calm, wire-frame glasses. He fixed their tech, quietly, efficiently. Theyd worked together for years but barely spoken.
Nearly done, she murmured, eyes on the screen.
He hesitated, then stepped closer. Emily youve seemed off lately. Everything okay?
She looked up. No mockery, no pityjust kindness.
Its complicated, she admitted.
And again, the story spilled out. The lie, the pressure, the failed outings. Daniel listened without interrupting.
Maybe youre looking in the wrong places, he said finally. If youre pretending, youll find something just as fake.
The simplicity of it struck her.
But lunch is tomorrow. I cant let her down again.
Ill go with you, he offered. As a friend. Well meet, chat, and later say it didnt work out. Shell relax, and youll have time to think.
Emily stared. Youd do that?
Course. Colleagues, right?
On Saturday, Daniel picked her up. A simple blue shirt, a bouquet of daisies, a box of chocolates.
For your mum, he smiled.
In the car, they talkedeasily, unexpectedly. Books (both loved sci-fi), films, how Daniel had played in a band at uni.
Her mum beamed at the door. Lunch was warm, effortless. Daniel praised the pie, asked about her life, told funny stories. Emily watched her mums face light up.
Hes lovely! her mum whispered in the kitchen. A keeper!
Emily glanced at Daniel, and something warm unfurled in her chest. He was real. No pretence.
Leaving, her mum waved from the doorstep. In the car, Daniel turned to her.
Your mums brilliant. Shell sleep easy now.
Thank you, Emily said softly. Really.
Anytime.
Comfortable silence. Then Daniel veered toward the park.
Fancy a walk? No scripts.
They strolled under autumn leaves, sipping cheap coffee. Daniel talked about his cat, Whiskers; Emily confessed her childhood dream of being a librarian.
Why dont you ever say no? he asked suddenly. At work, everyone dumps tasks on you.
She shrugged. I guess Im scared of being alone.
Emily, people should like you for younot what you do for them.
She studied him. Lamplight softened his eyes behind his glasses.
And who am I?
Youre thoughtful, sharp, easy to talk to. You love quiet, books. You listen. And youve got this kind smilewhen you let it show.
Her pulse quickened. How do you know all that?
Daniel smiled shyly. Weve worked together five years. Ive always noticed you. Just never said. You seemed out of my league.
Me? She laughed. Im ordinary.
No. He shook his head. Youre peaceful. Like coming home.
They stood under golden leaves, and Emily realisedthis was it. Not in fancy restaurants or loud crowds. Here. Honest.
Dan, she whispered, what if we just try being together?
He grinnedthat quiet, warm smile.
Id love that.
On Monday, Emily walked in transformed. Same cardigan, same bun. But when a colleague asked her to cover their report, she said, Sorry, Ive got my own work today.
Lucy cornered her at lunch. So? Find Prince Charming? Mum happy?
Yeah, Emily smiled. Just not where I expected.
Lucy followed her gaze to Daniel passing by.
Dan from IT? Seriously?
Yep.
Huh. Congrats. Though I thought youd land someone flashier.
Emily smiled. I didnt need flashy. I needed mine.
That evening, in a cosy café, they laughed over shared quirksold films, crossword obsessions, how they both steeped tea too long.
Funny, Emily said, lacing her fingers with his. I searched everywhere for special. And he was next door.
Maybe we both needed time, Daniel said. For you to see youre enough. And for me to finally talk to you.
Glad Mum pushed me, Emily laughed. Or wed have danced around this for years.
But were here now. Thats the real magic.
A month later, her mum called.
Em, when are you and Dan visiting? I miss you! And Ive a new pie recipe!
Soon, Emily promised, watching Daniel wrestle with her laptop. She hugged his shoulders.
Know what I love most about you?
What?
With you, Im just me. No pretending.
He smiled up at her. And thats why I love you. My quiet place.
Outside, dusk painted the sky lavender. Life rushed onloud, bright, relentless.
But their happiness was here. Simple. Real.
Sometimes, what youre searching for isnt far away. Sometimes, its been beside you all along.
Emily learned to say nonot always, but when it mattered. She stayed kind, but stopped being everyones doormat. And people respected her more for it.
Once, Lucy stopped her in the hall.
You and Dan still good?
Yeah. Meeting his parents next week.
Lucy hugged her. Im glad. Sorry if I was pushy. I just wanted to help.
You did, Emily said. In your way. You made me step out. And I realisedI dont need to change. Just be myself.
Lucy smirked. Wise. Maybe I should try that.
On Saturday, they visited her mum again, bringing Whiskers, who curled up on her lap.
Em, her mum whispered in the kitchen, Im so glad you found your person. I was so scared youd be alone but he sees you.
You were right, Mum, Emily hugged her. I needed to changejust not how I thought. Not me. How I saw myself.
Back in the living room, Dan chatted about a new project. Whiskers purred. Pie cooled. Rain tapped the window.
And thisthis was happiness. Simple. True.
Emily wasnt that invisible girl anymore. She was just Emilywhod found herself, and her love, exactly where theyd always been.
