Chapter 18
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted into the room, gently pulling Sophie out of her restless sleep.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and she saw Alex moving stealthily toward the door, balancing a steaming mug in his hand. He looked like a kid trying not to get caught sneaking out of class.
Clearing her throat softly, she watched as Alex froze mid-step and turned to her with a sheepish grin. “Busted,” he said, walking back toward her bed.
“Good morning,” Sophie murmured, sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face.
“Good morning,” Alex replied, handing her the coffee. “Thought you might need this.”
She took the mug, inhaling the rich scent before taking a cautious sip.
The warmth spread through her chest, and a contented moan escaped her lips. “Mmm, this is so good.”
Alex chuckled, a low, easy laugh that made her look up. “What’s so funny?” she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head.
“Don’t ‘nothing’ me,” she pressed, her curiosity piqued. “Why are you laughing?”
He hesitated for a moment before answering. “You just reminded me of something.”
“Reminded you of what?” she pushed, intrigued.
“Back in college,” Alex began, leaning against the dresser. “You used to make that exact same sound whenever we grabbed coffee between classes. It’s funny how some things never change.”
Sophie’s smile faltered, her mood shifting instantly. The reminder of their past hit her harder than she expected.
Alex noticed her expression and quickly straightened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”
She waved him off, forcing a small smile. “It’s fine. Really.”
But Alex wasn’t convinced. “No, it’s not fine. I shouldn’t have—”
“Alex,” Sophie interrupted, her tone firm yet soft. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He nodded, still looking uncertain. “If you say so.”
Silence fell between them, and Alex glanced at his watch. “I should get going. Work won’t wait.”
“Of course,” Sophie said, watching as he stood and adjusted his tie. He turned to leave, but something inside her made her stop him.
“Alex,” she called out, her voice hesitant.
He paused at the door, turning back to her. “Yeah?”
“Thank you,” she said quietly, her fingers gripping the mug tightly.
“For what?”
“For letting me stay here. For being kind to me. I don’t… I don’t deserve it,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.
Alex frowned, walking back toward her. “Hey, don’t say that. Everyone deserves kindness, Sophie. Especially you.”
His words made her chest tighten, and she looked away, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She took a deep breath and looked up at him again. “Will you employ me?”
Alex blinked, caught off guard. “Employ you?”
“Yes,” she said, her tone more determined now. “I need a job, Alex. I can’t stay here freeloading. I need to stand on my own two feet again.”
He wondered what happened to the Sophie he knew who had always said she wouldn’t work under someone. What happened to her dream career?
He opened his mouth to respond, but his phone buzzed loudly in his pocket.
Glancing at the screen, he sighed. “I’m sorry, Sophie. I’m running late. Can we talk about this later?”
She nodded quickly, not wanting to hold him up any longer. “Of course. Go. We’ll talk when you’re back.”
“Okay,” he said, offering her a reassuring smile before heading out the door.
Sophie watched him leave, her thoughts swirling.
For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope—a chance to rebuild her life, even if the road ahead was uncertain.
