Chapter 7: "A New Beginning and Unsettling Memories"
Sophie woke up the next morning in Zara's apartment, still reeling from the events of the previous night. The warmth of her friend's comforting words had given her a sense of relief, but the weight of everything she had to face back home still loomed over her. She stared out the window, watching the sun rise over Melbourne's skyline. The city was the same, yet it felt so different now.
Zara, who had stayed up late to comfort her, was already making coffee in the kitchen. "You need some rest, Soph," she said, turning around to give her a soft smile. "But I'm glad you're here."
Sophie nodded, her heart still heavy. "I'm just trying to process everything," she said quietly. "I never thought I'd come back to this... this mess."
Zara walked over and placed a warm cup of coffee in front of her. "Take your time. And don't worry, you'll figure it out. You've always been strong."
Sophie gave a faint smile and sipped the coffee. As the hot liquid soothed her, she closed her eyes, letting the familiar taste ground her. The world outside seemed to be moving forward, but she felt stuck, like time had slowed down just for her.
Her phone suddenly buzzed on the table, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, seeing an unfamiliar number. Hesitant, she answered the call.
"Sophie Davis?" a calm, professional voice on the other end asked.
"Yes, this is Sophie," she replied, sitting up straighter.
"This is Jane from the 'Company of Music.' We've reviewed your application, and we are pleased to inform you that you've been accepted for the position of Manager. We'd like you to start as soon as possible."
Sophie's heart skipped a beat. The position she had applied for before leaving abroad was now hers. She had worked hard to get to this point, and now, everything was falling into place. She smiled, her excitement bubbling up.
"Thank you so much! I'm honored," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "When do I start?"
"We'll arrange for an official meeting next week," Jane responded. "But we wanted to inform you as soon as possible. We're looking forward to having you on board."
Sophie hung up the phone, her hands trembling slightly with excitement. It felt like a new chapter of her life was beginning, one where she could leave the past behind and focus on building her future. The 'Company of Music' was a prestigious organization, and becoming a manager there was an incredible opportunity.
Zara, who had been watching her closely, raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've just won the lottery. What's going on?"
Sophie grinned, her eyes shining. "I got the job. I'm going to be the manager at the 'Company of Music!'"
Zara's face lit up. "That's amazing, Soph! I knew you could do it."
Sophie felt a surge of joy, but then something flickered in the back of her mind. Music. The word resonated with her, pulling her thoughts back to a time long ago. Aiden. The memories of that day at the Market Festival, when she had first seen him, flooded her mind. It had been seven years, but she still remembered every detail—the way his eyes had met hers, the way he had stood out from the crowd like he was meant to be there. Sophie had never forgotten that moment, and she realized that she hadn't truly let go of her feelings for him.
Aiden Wilson. The boy she had fallen in love with at first sight. He was no longer just a memory; he was a part of her story, one she hadn't been able to erase, no matter how hard she tried.
Zara watched her, sensing the shift in Sophie's mood. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"
Sophie looked up, her heart racing. "I can't help it," she admitted, her voice soft. "It's been seven years, but I still can't forget him. I never really moved on, I guess."
Zara placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to feel that way. But you have to remember, life goes on. You've got a great job now. You're starting fresh."
Sophie nodded, but a small part of her couldn't shake the thought of Aiden. She wondered where he was now, what he was doing. Had he changed? Was he still the same person she had admired from afar all those years ago?
Before she could think too much about it, her phone buzzed again. She picked it up, expecting it to be a message from the 'Company of Music,' but the number was unfamiliar once again.
"Sophie," the voice on the other end said urgently, "This is an emergency. You need to come home right away. Something's happened."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Who is this? What happened?" she asked, her voice tight with fear.
"I can't explain over the phone. Just come home. Please," the voice said before hanging up abruptly.
Sophie stared at the phone in shock. Her heart was racing. Something was wrong. She couldn't wait around and wonder. Without saying a word to Zara, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the apartment, her mind spinning with worry. Who could it be? What could have happened?
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