Chapter 40

#40 “It’s Time to Deal with Someone.”

The sharp sound of the slap still reverberated in Sophia’s office. The charged air hung heavy between them, filled only with the rapid rhythm of their breaths. As the echo of their actions subsided, Sophia took a deep breath and decided to break the silence.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her once-desirous gaze now transformed into one of fierce indignation as she stared at Alexander.

He stood there, his own internal chaos reflecting in his eyes. His mind raced to find an explanation for his impulsive act, for the kiss that had defied all reason. He was as bewildered by his own actions as Sophia was.

“It was stupid,” he muttered.

Sophia wanted to get him out of her sight immediately. She didn’t understand why she had let him kiss her, and it horrified her even more that she had kissed him back.

“Yes, it was. I think it’s time for you to go.” Her voice was firm. Alexander nodded. Neither of them could meet each other’s gaze as the weight of their shared impulsive act hung heavily in the air. He stubbornly avoided looking at her kiss-swollen lips. He was afraid he would do it again.

Alexander walked out of her office in silence, leaving Sophia alone with a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. Confusion, anger, and a strange sense of vulnerability clashed within her as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

As he stepped outside, he opened the door to his car and settled into the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life, and he drove away, the tires rolling against the pavement. The world outside seemed blurred, matching the chaos in his mind.

He didn’t head back to the office. The weight of the situation was heavy on his shoulders, and he needed time alone to reflect. The car’s motion was a sort of therapy, a way to clear his thoughts, as he navigated the streets without a specific destination in mind.

Each passing streetlight cast fleeting shadows on his face. He replayed the moment over and over, trying to understand why he had let himself act so impulsively. The taste of her lips lingered.

He finally found a quiet spot by the waterfront, parked the car, and turned off the engine. Leaning back against the seat, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. The sound of lapping waves and the distant city sounds created a soothing backdrop.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, lost in his thoughts, when he realized that he needed to confront what had transpired. He had crossed a line, and there was no denying it. He opened his eyes and stared out at the water.

He replayed the encounter with Sophia in his mind, each moment dissected and examined. The touch of her lips against his own felt like an electric jolt, igniting a fire within him that he hadn’t anticipated.

As the minutes ticked by, the realization of his actions became clearer. He had let his guard down, allowed his feelings to take control, and now he had to face the consequences.

The truth was undeniable: Sophia had managed to stir something within him that he hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t just desire or attraction; it ran deeper. Her defiance and unapologetic nature had broken through the walls he had carefully built around himself. The idea of falling in love both terrified and intrigued him.

The following day dawned with a sense of urgency for Alexander. He knew that he couldn’t let the situation linger any longer, that he had to confront the repercussions of his impulsive actions. As fate would have it, he coincidentally ran into Sophia in the hallway of the company.

His heart raced as he saw her approaching, but the coldness in her gaze was hard to ignore. She barely acknowledged his presence, making it clear that things had changed between them.

“Sophia,” he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. “Can we talk?”

She stopped in her tracks but didn’t turn to face him. Her demeanor was guarded, her walls firmly in place. Alexander’s heart sank at the distance he felt between them.

“I’m sorry,” he continued. “About yesterday, about my behavior. It was completely uncalled for, and I know I crossed a line. Please, let’s sit down and discuss this.”

Sophia finally turned to look at him.

“I appreciate your apology,” she replied, her voice icy. “But I think it’s best if we leave it at that. I have work to do.”

Alexander’s heart sank further as she brushed off his attempt to reach out. He watched as she walked away, her steps purposeful and determined. He wanted to grab her arm, to make her understand that he was sorry for his actions. Alexander’s anger simmered just below the surface, a smoldering fire that refused to be ignored. He was frustrated with the situation, with the unspoken tension that hung between them like a heavy cloud. He wasn’t the type to let issues fester;

he believed in confronting problems head-on and finding resolutions like adults should.

Ascending to his office, each step felt heavier than the last. His usually focused mind was clouded with thoughts of their recent encounter, of Sophia’s distant demeanor. He wanted answers, clarity, a chance to lay everything out on the table and talk it through.

Emily, busy with her own concerns, couldn’t help but sense the shift in the air. Alexander’s aura was charged, his mood noticeably darker than usual. She knew him well enough to recognize the signs of an impending crisis.

Knocking on his door, Emily entered cautiously, her eyes scanning his stern expression. “Alexander, we need to talk. He glanced up from his paperwork, his gaze distant. “What is it, Emily?”

She hesitated for a moment before taking a seat opposite him. “I can tell something’s bothering you. Is it because of Sophia?”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond immediately. “I know you two don’t get along,” Emily continued, concern evident in her voice. “But we can’t let personal conflicts interfere with the company.”

He finally looked at her, his gaze piercing. “You think this is just a personal conflict?”

Emily shrugged slightly, her voice softening, “I don’t know, Alexander. It just seems like there’s something more going on.”

Alexander’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “And what do you think you know, Emily?” Emily leaned forward, her tone sincere. “I know you’re frustrated.”

Determined to break through the wall he had put up, Emily shifted her approach. She moved closer to his desk, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of it. “You know, Alexander, sometimes people misunderstand each other. They let their assumptions cloud their judgment.”

His eyes flickered. “What are you getting at, Emily?”

She leaned in, her voice a hushed whisper. “I’ve noticed you’ve been distant lately. Maybe it’s time to let loose a little, to find comfort in unexpected places.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed, clearly puzzled by her words. Emily’s fingers danced along the surface of the desk, her gaze locked onto his. “Alexander, we’ve been through a lot together. Maybe it’s time we explore a different kind of connection.”

His eyes widened in realization, and before Emily could react, he leaned back abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Emily, stop.”

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her plan falling flat. She immediately left his office.

Emily’s resolve solidified. If seduction didn’t work, she would take more direct action. She reached for her phone, her fingers dialing an unknown number. As the call connected, she spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. “I need your help. It’s time to deal with someone.”