Chloe Beale adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked briskly through the halls of the UCA records. She was used to the steady hum of the building, the late-night hustle that came with working in the music industry. As a 30-year-old music producer, she had learned to juggle a demanding career, motherhood, and the lingering shadows of an abusive relationship that had once controlled her life. Now, as a single mom to her daughter, Sophie, Chloe had carved out a life that was hers—strong, independent, and fiercely protective of her daughter.
Sophie's daycare was conveniently located in the record company building, a setup that worked well for Chloe. It meant she could drop Sophie off and keep an eye on her throughout the day, without needing to rush off to a separate location. As Chloe passed the elevator banks, a soft, melodic hum caught her attention.
At first, Chloe thought it was just another of the many conversations that filled the building, but as she listened more closely, she realized it wasn't someone talking—it was singing. The voice was soft, almost ethereal, as if the singer were lost in the music, completely unaware of their surroundings. Chloe paused, curiosity piqued. The voice sounded like it was coming from the janitor's closet.
She glanced around, half expecting to see one of her colleagues walking by. Instead, there was only Beca. Chloe had seen her around the building a few times—a quiet, reserved woman who worked as a janitor. Beca was often focused on her tasks, never interacting with anyone for long, but Chloe had noticed something in her. Something that piqued her curiosity in a way she couldn't quite explain.
Chloe quietly approached the closet door, where the music seemed to be spilling out. It wasn't just any voice—it was a voice full of emotion, tinged with raw vulnerability. Chloe leaned against the doorframe, listening for a moment before clearing her throat gently.
"Hey, that sounded great," Chloe said with a warm smile, stepping into the small room.
Beca froze, her back straightening in surprise. She turned, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty. "I… I didn't realize anyone was around," she muttered, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Chloe immediately recognized the discomfort in the janitor's body language. She was shy, clearly caught off guard by the attention. Chloe had always been someone who didn't mind stepping outside her comfort zone, but she wasn't sure how to make Beca feel at ease without overstepping.
"You have a beautiful voice," Chloe said, offering a kind, encouraging smile. "I was just passing by, and I couldn't help but notice. I'm Chloe, by the way."
Beca hesitated before looking up, her blue eyes meeting Chloe's for the briefest of moments. "Thanks," she muttered. "I… I just sing sometimes. It's nothing special."
"I'm sure it is," Chloe said, taking a step closer but not invading Beca's space. "I work here in the music department—producing and working on projects. If you ever wanted to get your voice out there, I could help. No pressure, of course. Just thought I'd mention it."
Beca looked at Chloe for a long moment, unsure how to respond. She hadn't expected someone like Chloe—someone with the kind of success and polish Chloe had—to offer help to someone like her. The idea of pursuing something with her music felt out of reach. But there was something in Chloe's eyes, a genuine kindness, that made the janitor pause.
"Maybe," Beca whispered, before quickly looking down again.
Chloe gave a small nod, sensing her need for space. "No rush. Just think about it."
Beca gave a quick nod, barely acknowledging Chloe before she turned back to her cleaning tasks. Chloe lingered for a moment, watching her. There was something intriguing about Beca—something quiet and complex. Chloe wasn't sure what it was, but she knew one thing for sure: she was going to find out.
As Chloe walked away, she couldn't help but think about Beca's voice, about the loneliness she could sense underneath the shyness, and how she felt drawn to help her, though she couldn't yet understand why. She pulled out her phone, checking the time. It was time to pick up Sophie from daycare. But as she made her way down the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that today had just marked the beginning of something new.