Chapter 23: Chapter 23: I'm Sorry
After a while, she gathered her courage and broke the silence. "I'm… going for an interview tomorrow," she said softly, glancing up. "At Allure Fashion."
Alexander looked up, his expression unreadable. "That's good," he said, his gaze steady. "Do you need my help?"
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. The thought of him, Alexander, using his influence to help her was… tempting. She remembered how he'd handled the Hawthornes. It had taken him mere hours to dismantle an entire corporation. She hesitated, torn between the easy road and her pride.
"No," she finally said, shaking her head. "I want to do it on my own. Only my efforts should help me."
Alexander studied her for a moment, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. He didn't press her, just nodded slightly, as though respecting her decision. But there was a hint of expectation in his gaze, as if waiting for her to ask him anyway.
She faltered under his intense gaze, then added with a shy smile, "But… can you pray for me? Wish me luck? That'll be enough."
For the first time, she saw a flicker of surprise cross his face, then something else, a hint of genuine warmth that softened his cold exterior. "Good luck," he said, his voice still detached but laced with sincerity. "You'll impress them."
"Thank you," Sophia whispered, feeling the weight of his words settle in her heart.
They continued their meal in silence, but it was a comfortable one. She couldn't help but notice how he seemed to savor each bite, and the thought pleased her more than she'd admit. Towards the end, Alexander's tone shifted, his voice quieter.
"I'm sorry about last night," he began, his gaze serious. "I shouldn't have let you meet him."
Sophia's hand froze mid-reach, and she looked up, caught off guard by his apology. There was a rawness in his tone that took her by surprise, a rare crack in his otherwise impenetrable exterior.
"It's not your fault," she replied, her voice steady but soft. A hint of fire crept into her eyes as she added, "And… they paid dearly for it."
Alexander's expression softened, almost imperceptibly, and he gave a slight nod. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw something like respect in his gaze.
He finished his meal and rose from the table, casting her a final glance before he turned to head to his study. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she murmured, watching him disappear down the hall. Left alone, she sighed softly, a strange warmth blooming in her chest as she cleared the table.
***
On the next day, Sophia woke up feeling refreshed. She stretched out welcoming the warm rays from the rising sun with a bright smile. Her heart was still nervous but she didn't want to spoil her excitement. Today was important. Her interview at Allure Fashion had arrived, and she couldn't afford to let anything hold her back. She stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over her, helping her clear her mind. She needed to focus. This was her chance toward independence.
After a quick shower, she stood in front of her closet, her mind racing through options. She needed to look professional, yet approachable. After a brief moment of contemplation, she picked a sleek black dress, one that accentuated her figure without being too revealing. The dress had a modest neckline and a hemline that hit just below the knee, perfect for a corporate interview. She paired it with a delicate silver necklace, a simple touch that made her feel confident but not overdone.
With her file folder clutched tightly in her hand, she descended the stairs, her heart thumping in her chest. Alexander wasn't there. He was already gone, likely out doing business as usual. The emptiness in the house felt odd, especially after the past few days. It was a reminder that, no matter how much she may have enjoyed their brief moments, they were worlds apart.
She entered the kitchen and made herself a quick breakfast, her hands moving automatically as she poured cereal into a bowl. She didn't have time to waste. After a few quick bites, she grabbed her things, heading out the door with only a glance back at the empty house.
As she stepped outside, she nearly walked past Kevin, the driver, who was waiting by the car. "Mrs. Evans!" he called out, snapping her from her thoughts.
She laughed, a little self-conscious. "I'm still getting used to having a personal driver," she muttered, shaking her head as she climbed into the car.
When they were a few blocks away from the Allure Fashion building, Sophia spoke to the driver, "Drop me here, please; I will walk from here."
She didn't want to make a scene by having a driver pull up directly to the front. It was too much attention for her. She needed to stay low-key.
The driver nodded and pulled up on the side.
She thanked him before stepping out onto the busy streets of Eldridge City, the city that had always felt like a dream to her.
Her heart raced as she entered the building, her footsteps echoing in the quiet lobby. She walked up to the reception desk, her hands shaking slightly as she greeted the receptionist. "Excuse me, I'm here for an interview. Could you please tell me where to go?"
The receptionist, looking up briefly, pointed her towards the elevator. "Seventh floor, miss."
"Thank you." She thanked her and turned toward the elevator.
Taking a deep breath, She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the seventh floor. She wasn't sure if the butterflies in her stomach were from nerves or excitement, but it was hard to tell. She had spent hours the night before reviewing everything she could about Allure Fashion. Yet now, as she was about to face the interview panel, she still felt a wave of uncertainty.
On the seventh floor, she found the interview waiting area. To her surprise, there was already a woman there. Sophia hesitated for a moment before greeting her with a polite, "Hello."
The woman glanced at her but only gave a brief nod. There was something in her expression, an unspoken judgment that made Sophia feel small. But she shook it off. She wasn't here to make friends. She was here to land the job.
Sophia took a seat and began looking over the company's profile, trying to distract herself from the tension in the air. Not long after, a man walked in, his suit impeccably tailored. He smiled at both of them and, in a friendly tone, asked, "Has the interview started yet?"
"Not yet," Sophia replied with a soft smile. "We still have about thirty minutes."
The man nodded and took a seat beside her. There was a comfortable silence between them as they waited. Then, the woman who hadn't spoken to anyone until now suddenly looked up, her eyes narrowing at the man's file. "Eldridge University?" she asked, clearly surprised. "You went to Eldridge University?"
The man nodded. "Yes, I did."
The woman looked surprised. Eldridge University was a prestigious institution in the country of Kylia known for its academic excellence and historical legacy. It was located in Eldridge City, the capital city of Kylia. The city was a bustling, sophisticated metropolis known for its innovation, historical landmarks, and being a hub for education and culture with sprawling campuses, prestigious businesses, and a blend of old-world charm and modern advancements.
The woman scoffed lightly, clearly trying to assert herself. "Not bad. But I've got an overseas degree. That has to count for something, right?" She raised an eyebrow as if she had won the conversation.
Sophia, sitting between them, felt a pang of inadequacy. She didn't go to any prestigious university, let alone study abroad. She couldn't help but shrink in her seat, instinctively hiding her own file. The man, sensing her discomfort, quickly defended her.
He said, turning to the woman.
"What's so impressive about studying abroad, anyway?"
The woman scoffed, "You're too naive. To think that you went to Eldridge University.
The man asked, "If you're so amazing, why didn't they just give you the job right away instead of inviting you for an interview?"
The woman's face flushed, and she stammered, "You... You wouldn't understand. Your mind is too narrow."
The man didn't hold back. "Then make me understand. You're the one who's acting like you should be given the job just because of where you studied."
"You..." The woman wanted to retort but didn't know what to say.
Sophia couldn't help but smile at his retort, but the woman didn't have a comeback. The tension in the room was palpable.
Just then, an employee entered the room, calling out, "Daniel Forbes?"
Daniel stood up quickly, straightening his jacket. "That's me. Wish me luck!" he said with a grin, before walking toward the interview room.
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