stant as Sophia stared at the nameplate now gleaming on her new

the top brass, but it was hers. It was modern and sleek, wit

his was the start of something monumental, and the weight of Alex

let m

projects had been handed off, and her calendar cleared. Now, it was all about Project

r flew open, and Chloe bounded in her best friend and roommate, the only

th excitement. "I can't believe it! You're

sing as she hugged Chloe. "Yo

ook at you, already in the big leagues. Do you know how many people

chair behind her desk. "Half of them look like they want me t

d hard for this. Now you have a chance to prove it. And come on, you'

Chloe didn't miss it, "Oh, don't even try to hide i

ng with him, just the t

her face in her hands. "It

aising an eyebrow. "Come

"He laid out the project for me, told me to clear my schedule, a

widened. "Tha

"I've never done anything like thi

eye. "Then you get back up and keep going. But you

smile, grateful for he

and a frazzled middle-aged man walked in with a stack of

anding quickly. She gestured to

ut, leaving the files in fro

the pile. "Looks like you've

ing a folder toward

ve you to it. But we're celebrati

, Chloe was gone, leaving h

ay when Alexander had locked eyes with her. There was something about how

kipped a be

side her office broke her tho

ith a few executives. He turned slightly, his gaze sw

eyes

ning. For a moment, she couldn't look away. The connec

ut there was something there that

on? Curiosity?

ling her attention away. She fumb

hloe flashed

ing at you

t Alexander was already go

ust ha

olding her phone. Her thoughts swi

w, the usual hum of activity replaced by silence. She could hea

nock at the door shattered the stillness. Sophia jumped

, her voice betraying

en, and there he wa

His suit was slightly rumpled, and his tie was loosened, m

with a mix of amu

tonight," he said, his voice ca

ing. She grabbed her phone a

ize," she muttered,

ning the cluttered desk. "You've done more than enoug

er papers. "I was planning to leave

t," he said, his voice so

a racing heart. She glanced at the tim

ping her up; it was the une

come to c