The day at work dragged on, much like every other day for Sophie. Sitting behind the glass-topped receptionist's desk at Carrington Enterprises, she spent the hours greeting the occasional visitor and redirecting calls. It wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills, and at least she got to leave her home every morning with a sense of purpose.
Sophie rested her chin on her palm, watching the golden hues of the setting sun reflecting off the building's polished glass doors. It had been a quiet day—only a few clients walked in, each handled efficiently. She relished these slow moments; they gave her time to think, even if her thoughts were often unsettling.
Her peace was interrupted by the sound of the glass doors sliding open. She glanced up and froze when she saw him. Damien.
Her initial reaction was confusion—why did her heart skip at the sight of him? She hated how that small flicker of happiness made her stomach twist. Yet she couldn't deny it; she was glad to see him.
Damien strode toward her confidently, holding a single rose. He was impeccably dressed, as usual, but something about his demeanor was softer than before.
"Sophie," he greeted, his voice low and filled with warmth. He was obviously here to try to get her to forgive him again. But the moment his eyes landed on her bruised cheek, his entire expression shifted to one of alarm.
"What happened to your face?" he asked, leaning closer. His tone was urgent, almost accusing.
Sophie instinctively touched the side of her face, brushing her fingers over the tender skin. "It's nothing," she replied, brushing it off. "Just a scratch."
"That's not 'just a scratch.'" Damien frowned deeply. "You should see a doctor. Leaving it exposed to the atmosphere like that could lead to an infection."
Sophie raised an eyebrow, amused despite herself. "Since when did you become a doctor?"
"It's just common knowledge," Damien said, his concern unyielding.
"Are you implying that I don't have common knowledge?" she teased, her lips quirking into a faint smile.
"No! That's not what I meant. I was just... trying to..." he stammered, his composure slipping for a moment.
Sophie chuckled, waving off his concern. "Relax. I'm just joking."
He exhaled, clearly relieved, and leaned casually against her desk. "So, what's work like here?"
Sophie shrugged. "Boring, most of the time. Not many people come by, so I don't usually have much to do."
"Sounds like my dream job," Damien said with a grin. "Show up, sit down, do nothing, and still get paid."
Sophie laughed softly. "My dream job is no job at all. Just stay home and still get paid."
"Well, I can arrange for that to happen if you want." he quipped.
She shook her head, still smiling. "No thanks. I kind of like being here."
Damien's eyes twinkled as he leaned closer. "Come with me. I want to show you something."
Sophie blinked. "I'm still on duty, you know. I can't just leave my desk."
"It's already 5:30pm. You guys have practically closed. Do you really think anyone else is going to walk in from now till when you finally leave?" he asked, his tone persuasive. "You can disappear for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure no one will notice."
She hesitated but couldn't deny the temptation in his voice. "One of these days, you're really going to get me into trouble," she said with a sigh.
"Don't worry. I'm sure that day isn't today," Damien replied smoothly, extending his hand.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Sophie placed her hand in his, allowing him to lead her away.
---
Damien led her to a rooftop not far from her company. The rooftop of the building was breathtaking. The city sprawled out before them, bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun. Damien led Sophie to the edge, where a small bench overlooked the bustling streets below.
"The view is beautiful." Sophie said, breaking the silence.
"I know. I usually come here whenever I need time to myself. It's liberating."
"I know the feeling, wanting to escape everything and everyone."
"This is the place I come to whenever I need a place to escape to. No one knows I come here. It's where I go to whenever I need to avoid people."
"But you're showing it to me. I'm a person too."
"...a person that I don't think I'll ever have a reason to avoid. Sophie couldn't help the smile that formed across her cheek.
They sat in silence for a while, the beauty of the sunset rendering words unnecessary. Sophie leaned her head against Damien's shoulder, feeling a rare sense of peace. For once, she let herself forget about the complications of her life and simply existed in the moment.
Damien didn't want to behave like he noticed but his body failed him as a little smile spread across his cheek. He was finally getting through to her.
---
Meanwhile, across the city, in a dimly lit warehouse, Alice stood impatiently, her arms crossed as she stared at the group of men walking towards her.
"I was starting to think you weren't going to show up," she said, her voice clipped.
One of the men, a tall figure with a shadowy presence, stepped forward. "We're here now. So, who's the person you suspect is responsible for the missing Carrington shipments?"
Alice hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "His name is Miles. I have reason to believe he's responsible."
The man raised an eyebrow. "And you're sure about this?"
"About 70% sure. He might be working for someone." Alice said. "But don't hurt him. Just ask him where the shipments are. Persuade him enough and he'll tell you."
The man exchanged a glance with his associates before nodding. "Alright. Send me his location."
Alice's expression turned steely. "Not until I get what you promised. I want the money wired to my account first."
"You'll have it by morning," the man said. "I expect to have his location before noon."
"Don't worry." Alice said. "You'll get it."