The next morning, Sophia woke up with a lingering sense of the dreams she had about Alex. The memories of their shared moment from the previous night were still fresh in her mind, and as she lay in bed, she made a firm determination: she would keep her emotions in check.
She reminded herself that the difference in their lifestyles was stark. Alex was no longer just her childhood crush; he was now one of the most handsome and successful business tycoons in the country. Countless women who matched his social status would jump at the chance to be with him. What chance did she have? To Alex, she was just his younger brother's best friend, practically like a sister to him. With that realization, she knew she had to exercise self-control.
With a resolute mindset, Sophia got up from bed and made her way to the washroom. She went through her morning routine, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. She was determined not to let her emotions get the better of her again. After finishing breakfast, she got ready for the office, carefully choosing her attire to reflect her professional demeanor.
As she was about to leave, Sophia remembered her promise from the previous day. Despite her inner turmoil, she couldn't back out now. She quickly prepared a breakfast to bring to Alex, reminding herself that this was simply part of her duties as his PA, nothing more.
With the breakfast in hand, she left her flat, determined to face the day with renewed focus and professionalism. Yet, as she stepped outside, she couldn't shake the feeling that the line between their past and present was becoming increasingly blurred.
In his apartment at Hyatt Residency, Alex was awakened by the sound of his alarm clock. Glancing at the time, he realized with some surprise that he had slept in longer than usual. This was out of character for him, as he was always punctual and disciplined about his mornings. But today, something had changed.
He made his way to the washroom, eager to get to the office. As he prepared for the day, thoughts of Sophia filled his mind. The memory of their embrace and the connection they had shared the night before brought a smile to his face. Alex felt a surge of determination and made a vow to himself: he would bring Sophia into his life and his home very soon. The distant, formal relationship they had been maintaining would soon come to an end.
With these thoughts driving him, Alex got ready for the office, his resolve strengthening with each passing moment. As he entered the kitchen, intending to make breakfast, he suddenly remembered that Sophia had promised to bring it for him today. Smiling to himself, he decided to skip the kitchen and head straight to the office.
He left his apartment with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to see Sophia and take the next step in his plan to bring her closer to him. The day ahead held many possibilities, and Alex was determined to make the most of them.
Sophia arrived at the office ten minutes before the official start time, feeling determined and focused. After settling into her seat, she reflected on how quickly the previous day had passed as she familiarized herself with her new duties. She realized she hadn't even had the chance to properly arrange her desk. Though it was tidy, it lacked warmth and personality—it felt lifeless.
Determined to change that, Sophia decided to add some color and motivation to her workspace. She quickly printed out a few positive quotes and pinned them to the board in front of her desk. Next, she sketched some smiley faces on paper, cut them out, and pinned them alongside the quotes. The desk was beginning to feel more like her own.
From her bag, she retrieved two cherished photographs. One was of her family—her parents and her, all smiling happily. The other was a picture of her, Alex, and Daniel from their school's annual function. Placing both photos near her desktop, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. While she wasn't completely satisfied with the result, the desk now felt more personal and welcoming. She made a mental note to bring a small indoor plant the next day to make the space even more lively.
After her desk was arranged to her liking, Sophia turned her attention to her work. She checked her emails, jotting down important notes in her notebook, and quickly became absorbed in her tasks.
Meanwhile, Alex had arrived at the office and quietly approached Sophia's desk. From behind, he observed the transformation she had made to her workspace and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly she had turned the once sterile area into something so vibrant and pleasing to the eye. Her desk now radiated a warmth that matched her personality.
Sophia, sensing someone's gaze, looked up and was startled to see Alex standing so close to her. Her heartbeat quickened, but she quickly composed herself. Standing up from her seat, she greeted him with a professional tone, "Good morning, sir."
Alex, catching the brief flicker of emotion in her eyes, smiled slightly. "Good morning, Sophia," he replied, his voice carrying a warmth that echoed their shared history. He glanced at her desk again, then back at her. "I see you've made this space your own already. It looks great."
Sophia's heart fluttered at his compliment, but she kept her demeanor professional. "Thank you, sir. I just wanted to make the environment a bit more positive and motivating."
Alex nodded, appreciating the effort she had put into her workspace. "You've done a good job. It's important to feel comfortable where you work."
Sophia smiled, feeling a bit more at ease, and then gestured toward a small tray on her desk. "I brought the breakfast I promised," she said, her tone lightening.
Alex's smile widened as he took a step closer, "Thank you, Sophia. I appreciate it." He looked into her eyes, the connection between them undeniable. "Shall we go to my office and have it together?"
Sophia hesitated for a moment before politely declining, "Thank you, sir, but I've already had my breakfast." Before Alex could respond, Ethan entered the room, greeting both Alex and Sophia with a "Good morning" as he placed his bag on the table.
Sophia immediately noticed something off about Ethan's demeanor. His usually composed face was clouded with anger, and his tone was serious as he addressed Alex. "Boss, I have something urgent to discuss with you. Please let me know when you're free."
It was clear to anyone who looked at him that Ethan was upset, though the reason for his anger was unclear.
Alex, reading the urgency in Ethan's eyes, gave a small nod and signaled for him to follow into his cabin. But before leaving, he turned to Sophia, his tone returning to its usual calm. "Sophia, make a note of the key points that need action today. Once I'm done with Ethan, we'll discuss the work schedule, and we'll also plan a surprise for Daniel."
Sophia nodded, acknowledging his instructions as Alex and Ethan left for his cabin. Settling back into her seat, she tried to focus on her work, making notes and organizing the tasks for the day. However, her mind kept drifting back to Ethan's expression and the tension in his voice. She couldn't help but wonder what had made him so angry.
The sudden shift in the office atmosphere left Sophia feeling uneasy. Whatever had happened, it was serious enough to rattle someone as composed as Ethan, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it might be something significant. As she continued working, she kept half an ear out, curious and concerned about what was unfolding behind the closed door of Alex's cabin.