As Sophia stepped out of Alex's room, she immediately placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart racing as if she had just completed an Olympic race. Her cheeks flushed with a deep blush as fragments of the previous night flashed through her mind—his touch, his closeness, the way he had looked at her in his drugged haze.
She leaned against the wall for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm herself. Get it together, Sophia, she told herself. This is first time since she had felt this way—since anyone had made her feel this way.
As the intensity of her emotions began to subside, Sophia felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thank God he didn't bring up what happened last night, she thought. The last thing she needed was to have that conversation, to explain herself or to relive those moments in front of him. It was embarrassing enough that it had happened at all, and she wasn't sure she could handle his reaction if he remembered everything.
But there was something else, something that unsettled her even more. The way Alex had looked at her just now, with those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her, had stirred something deep within her—a look of recognition, of longing, perhaps even of something more.
Shaking her head, Sophia pushed those thoughts aside. With that, she straightened up and walked away from Alex's room, her heart still pounding, but her resolve firm. She would focus on her job, on her responsibilities, and on keeping her distance from Alex Blackwood. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get the best of her, not now, not when her life had finally started to make sense again.
In the afternoon, after taking the necessary rest, Daniel entered Alex's room quietly, not wanting to disturb him if he was resting. But as soon as he stepped inside, he noticed the change. Alex was sitting up in bed, a rare smile playing on his lips, his eyes brighter than Daniel had seen in years.
"Brother," Daniel said, unable to hide the surprise in his voice, "you look... different. It's like you're in a good mood for the first time in ages. What miracle medicine did Simon give you to make you recover so quickly?"
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not about Simon, Daniel. Do you know who I just met? It's Sophia. She's here, working at this hotel. I can't tell you how happy I am right now after seeing her, healthy and alive, right in front of me."
Daniel kept his expression neutral, though inside, he was anything but surprised. He had seen Sophia the night before, briefly catching a glimpse of her as she left Alex's room. He had recognized her immediately, but the sight had been so fleeting that he hadn't had time to process it fully. Hearing Alex confirm what he had seen only solidified the reality of her presence.
"Sophia?" Daniel repeated, more to buy himself time than out of disbelief. "Our Sophia? The one who disappeared seven years ago?"
Alex nodded, his smile broadening. "Yes, it's her. She didn't recognize me, but I know it's her. She looks different, more mature, but it's definitely Sophia."
Daniel leaned against the doorframe, taking in his brother's excitement. It had been so long since he had seen Alex this animated, this genuinely happy. Yet, a part of him couldn't shake the unease that came with Sophia's unexpected return.
"I saw her last night," Daniel admitted, his voice calm. "When she was leaving your room. I wasn't sure at first, but there was no mistaking it. She's changed, but I could tell it was her."
Alex looked at him, surprised. "You saw her? Why didn't you say anything?"
Daniel shrugged, trying to downplay his own feelings. "I wasn't sure what to make of it. And I didn't want to jump to conclusions without knowing more. Daniel asked, trying to mask the turmoil in his chest. "Did you talk to her? Does she know who you are?"
Alex shook his head. "No, she doesn't remember me. And I didn't tell her. She was just doing her job, and I didn't want to overwhelm her. But seeing her again, Daniel… it brought back so many memories. She's still the same girl, just older, more mature."
Alex returned to his usual demeanor, his focus shifting back to the pressing matters of his business empire. He had managed to push thoughts of Sophia to the back of his mind for now, concentrating on his role as a leading tycoon in the country.
"Daniel," Alex said, his voice steady, "have you found out who was behind the drugging last night?"
Daniel's face softened into a slight, knowing smile. "Yes, I did. It turns out it was one of your one-sided admirers. She confessed to drugging you with the hope of spending the night with you and then forcing you to take responsibility for her. However, her plan was thwarted when your guards intercepted her before she could reach your room."
Alex's expression remained calm, though his eyes hardened slightly. "What do you think we should do about her?"
Daniel considered the situation carefully. "We could either press charges, which would likely result in a public scandal, or handle it discreetly. We'd ensure she understands the gravity of her actions without causing unnecessary publicity."
Alex shook his head, his decision clear. "Just leave her. I'm not giving her any punishment. If anything, meeting Sophia was a positive outcome from this incident. Give her a final warning to stay away from me and leave. I don't want her to cause any more trouble."
Daniel nodded in understanding. "I'll take care of it. She'll receive a clear message to stay away."
Alex leaned back in his chair, feeling a sense of resolve as he moved forward. The matter with the woman was settled, and his focus was now on the business challenges ahead.
"Thank you, Daniel," Alex said. "Let's proceed with our plans and keep our eyes on the future."
As soon as Daniel left his room, Alex picked up his phone and dialed his assistant.
"Get me information about Sophia," Alex instructed when the call was answered. "I want a complete report—her current employment, personal background, and any relevant details. I'll be at the office in 30 minutes, so please have everything ready on my desk by the time I arrive."
"Understood, Mr. Blackwood," the assistant replied. "I'll make sure the information is on your desk when you get here."
Alex ended the call, feeling a sense of purpose. He needed to gather details about Sophia to understand her current situation and navigate their renewed connection thoughtfully. As he prepared to head to the office, he focused on the tasks ahead, ready to address both his business responsibilities and the intriguing personal matter that had emerged.