Whod ever want a dull little mouse like you? theyd all laugh. But time passed, and nothing changed.
Every day blurred into the next. Emily sat at her desk, the tower of paperwork before her alive, creeping higher, swallowing time and space. Files, reports, endless taskseach a brick in a teetering spire. Colleagues approached with easy smiles and easier demands. Em, you wont say no, will you? Love, could you just? Youre the only one who gets it right. And Emily never refused. The words to disappoint lodged in her throat, unmovable.
The clock ticked toward eight. The office lay silent but for the tap of her keyboard and the soft snores of the night guard. The monitors glow carved shadows under her eyes. Thirty-two years old, a plain beige cardigan, hair swept into a neat bun. Dependable. Reliable. Convenient.
Her phone buzzed. Mum flashed on the screen. She inhaled, answered.
Emily, love, where are you? Still at work? Her mothers voice trembled with quiet worry.
Just finishing up. Its fine.
Darling, youre wasting away in that office! When do you live? At your age, I was already courting your father, and you
Mum, please. Emily pinched the bridge of her nose. A headache pulsed. Ive met someone.
Silence. The lie had leapt out, a shield against the usual interrogation.
Really? Joy sparked through the line. Emily, why didnt you say? Whats his name? Tell me everything!
Its new. I wanted to wait until it felt real.
Bring him Saturday! For lunch! Ill make your favourite soup, bake that apple crumbleI must meet him!
Emily shut her eyes. Seven days to conjure a man from thin air.
Alright. Well come.
She dropped her head onto her arms. What had she done? Where would she find someone willing to play the part?
Morning came heavy-eyed and hollow. Shed scoured dating sites all night, every profile sterile, every match a dead end. How did one advertise: Quiet accountant seeks temporary plus-one for family charade?
Em, you look wrecked, chirped Lucy from marketinga whirlwind of blonde curls and perfume, forever stepping too close.
Just tired.
Liar. Out with it.
And Emily told her. Exhaustion loosened her tonguethe lie, the lunch, the impossible deadline.
Lucy clapped. Right. Im fixing this. One week to glow you up, find you a decent bloke, and put your mum at ease. Done.
Lu, no, Ill figure it out
Youll drown in spreadsheets. Meet me after work.
That evening, Lucy dragged her to a glittering Mayfair restaurant. Crystal, white linen, prices that stole her breath.
I dont belong here, Emily hissed.
Nonsense! Just flirt. Charm. Be someone else.
But Emily hunched in her old cardigan while Lucy worked the room. Men came and wentJames the coffee-chain owner, Oliver the finance bro, Henry the something-in-banking. Each glanced at her, then away.
Chin up, Lucy said later. Tomorrows a self-actualisation seminar. Better crowd.
The seminar was worse. Strangers shrieking affirmations, hugging on command. Emily pressed against the wall. When the neon-clad facilitator yanked her forwardRelease your fears!the floor tilted.
Days blurred into forced smiles at gallery openings, networking mixers, parties where she floated, ghostlike.
Friday. Late again. The quarterly reportnot hers, but Claires from HRglowed on her screen.
Still here?
She glanced up. Daniel from IT. Tall, quiet, wire-framed glasses. Theyd shared lifts, exchanged nods. Five years of near-silence.
Nearly done.
He lingered. Emily youve seemed off lately. Everything alright?
Something cracked. She told himthe lie, the desperation, the dread of her mothers hope.
He listened. Then: Maybe youre looking in the wrong places. Pretending wont lead you to anything real.
The simplicity of it stunned her.
But lunch is tomorrow. I cant break her heart again.
Ill go, he said. As a friend. Well meet, chat. Later, say we didnt click. Buy you time.
Saturday, Daniel arrived in a navy button-down, daisies and chocolates in hand. For your mum.
The drive was easy. They talked booksboth loved Atwoodfilms, his uni band days.
Her mother beamed. Lunch was warm, effortless. Daniel praised the crumble, asked about her mothers garden. Emily watched hope light her face.
Hes lovely, her mother whispered as Daniel poured tea.
Leaving, he turned to her. Shell sleep easy now.
Thank you.
He detoured to Hyde Park. Walk with me? No scripts.
They strolled under amber leaves, sipping terrible vending-machine coffee. He spoke of his cat, Whiskers; she confessed her childhood dream of running a bookshop.
Why dont you ever say no? he asked. At work, they dump everything on you.
She shrugged. Afraid if I do, Ill end up alone.
Emily, people should want younot what you do for them.
His eyes, behind his glasses, were kind.
And what am I?
Thoughtful. Clever. You listen. Your smilewhen you dont hide itits He flushed. Weve worked together five years. Ive always noticed you. Just never dared say.
Her pulse leapt.
That Monday, when Claire slid another report her way, Emily said, Sorry, Ive my own work today.
Lucy cornered her at lunch. So? Found your Prince Charming?
Emily smiled. Yes. Just not where I expected.
She nodded toward Daniel passing by.
Him? Really?
I dont need exciting. I need mine.
That evening, in a cosy café near work, they laughed over shared quirksblack-and-white films, cryptic crosswords, steeping tea exactly four minutes.
Funny, she said, lacing her fingers with his. I searched everywhere for special. And you were down the hall.
Took us both time to see it, he murmured.
A month later, her mother called. When are you and Daniel visiting? Ive a new crumble recipe!
Soon, Emily promised, watching him wrestle with her laptop.
She hugged him from behind. Know what I love most?
Hm?
With you, Im just me.
He smiled. And I love that you. My quiet harbour.
Outside, London buzzed. But here, in the quiet, was enough.
Sometimes happiness isnt a quest. Its letting yourself see whats always been there.
Emily learned to say no. Not always, but when it mattered. People still liked herrespected her more.
Once, Lucy hugged her. Sorry if I pushed. I just wanted you happy.
You helped, Emily said. I needed to leave my shell to know I belonged in it.
Saturday, they returned to her mothers, Whiskers in tow. The cat curled on her mums lap, purring.
I was so afraid youd be lonely, her mother whispered. But he sees you.
Emily squeezed her hand. You were right. I just had to changenot myself, but how I saw myself.
Rain pattered outside. Crumble cooled on the table. Daniel chatted about a new project.
This was happiness. Plain, real, and entirely enough.
No longer the invisible girl, Emily was simply herselfa woman whod found her place, her peace, and the man who loved her for it.
