SOPHIE POVThe tension between Elliot and I filled the car from where we were perched and spaced apart awkwardly in the backseat.The tension had even engulfed Mr. Manuel because even his driving was in a fidgety and anxious manner. I was a bit scared by his overspeeding and reckless driving but I didn't have a choice; I had to bear with it because, according to Elliot, we needed to get to the New Zealand branch as soon as possible, even if it meant flying past the road traffic in a Hyundai.Burrows had called Elliot some six minutes ago, informing him that we needed to get to the office within the space of 10 minutes, emphasizing that "it was very urgent."Elliot had immediately run over to the kitchenette, telling me to abandon the delicious bagels I was heating and get myself dressed for work promptly to beat the short time frame given.So here I was, on my way to resume at my new place of duty, on an empty stomach. I let out a sigh. When Elliot heard my sigh, he gave me a knowing
Sophie's POVI woke up to the sound of my phone vibrating for an incoming call. I jerked up with red, half-sleepy eyes.I thought it was Elliot because he had not returned to the hotel yesterday night after his behavior at the office in the morning, and I had not wanted to call so I wouldn't come off as being the eager one."Maybe he was calling to apologize," I thought.But when I grabbed my phone from under the nearby pillow to check on the caller, the name on the screen was Aunty Susan.I gasped, hesitating at first due to the firsthand surprise, but quickly picked it up, happy about the call all the same."Aunty Suzi," I called, smiling."Aunchi Suzhia." She mimicked me with a weird, mocking voice."So you still remember you had an aunt back home? After your first call saying you had arrived and would call us back when settled, we’ve heard nothing from you?"Aunty continued in her playful yet sardonic voice."I'm so sorry; you wouldn't believe me if I told you a lot came up. Like
SOPHIE POVIt was Monday morning, and it was also my first proper resumption to work at the New Zealand branch of Harrington Inc.We were on our way to the office. Elliot and I were both dressed in corporate suits, sitting spaced apart behind Manuel in the back seat as usual. But, unlike Friday morning, the atmosphere in the car was totally different. It was so much more serene and quiet. And even when Manuel had tried driving a bit faster on the freeway, Elliot had waved calmly from the back, saying,"Hey, you're too fast, man. Take it gently."Manuel immediately heeded, reducing the car's pace while muttering an apologetic "Sorry, sir."I stole quick, careful glances at Elliot from the corner of my eyes. He has been like this since Sunday morning, wearing that same sober, introspective look on his face.After that unusual drama on Saturday night, we still had not talked about what he confessed to me that night, and I knew I wasn't going to bring it up because I felt it wasn't in my
Elliot POVI sat in my new office, running my hand over my head, multiple thoughts pummeling through my mind. Sophie had just accepted my apology and, at the same time, rejected my offer for a date, which left me hanging in my thoughts."Is she still angry with me?”“Should I go back and apologize again?”I felt like going out of the office to have a drink at the previous bar I went to on Saturday. This downing of so many bottles whenever I'm losing concentration was becoming a habit, but I did not really care anymore. It felt like I could handle anything else, but once it was something that involved Sophie, this craving for alcohol just arose because there was no natural way I knew of right now that could take her out of my mind.I jerked up and walked hurriedly towards the door, holding on to the handle, and then stopped midway."Elliot, are you really becoming a drunk?”I took a deep breath and turned hesitantly before walking slowly back to my seat. Maybe I should call somebody? M
SOPHIE POV"Pick your call."I prompted him one more time, looking from him to the phone vibrating on his side of the table.At first, when I caught a glimpse of the capital "O" starting the name of the caller, I had guessed it was Olivia, but when it was followed by his corresponding reaction, the uneven lines on his forehead, which betrayed the shock he was actually feeling and was desperately trying to hide by his show of nonchalance.I got the needed confirmation for my suspicions. It meant my guess was 100 percent accurate.The ringing had stopped briefly, and even Elliot seemed to silently let out a sigh of relief, freeing the lines on his forehead for a moment.But his rest was not for long because, when he picked up his cutlery to proceed with his meal, his phone had started to ring again.The lines of frustration reappeared on his face, and I could almost hear him swear under his breath.“I really think you should pick it up this time."I pushed further quietly, eager to hear
GENERAL POVIsabella watched Aunt Susan in the kitchen as she nervously placed the frying pan on the gas cooker and switched on the burner."It looks like you're just starting, Aunty." Isabella queried with folded arms."Yes, my dear, I'm so sorry I missed my alarm by 30 minutes. Sleep robbed your aunt's old bones. But don't worry about it, darling; Aunty will be done in less than an hour."Then she paused to squint at Isabella. "Or are you hungry already, darling?""No, Aunty, I'm not; I still have some excess burgers to snack on in my school bags.""Are you sure, dearie? You know, I could order some pizza for you guys before continuing with this spinach.""It's fine, Aunty, take your time; I'm not even that hungry, by the way.""What about your brothers? Have you asked them?”Isabella let out a quick cackle, then placed both her tiny hands over her mouth and reduced her voice a little, like she wanted to tell a secret."My brothers? They're worse; those could even wait till tomorro
ELLIOT POV Sophie and I landed at 6 a.m. on Wednesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. We departed from New Zealand at 2 p.m. on Tuesday after resolving the office issue on Monday evening. The journey had lasted for about 16 hours, but it felt so much shorter than it really was because I had spent all my time watching Sophie and meditating, or should I say we had spent the journey watching each other from the corner of our eyes, our expressions full of so much hidden meaning that words failed to describe. She was sitting at an arm's length from me in the business class section of the plane.I couldn't help thinking about the Monday evening experience over and over in my mind: how brilliantly she had resolved the case that brought us to New Zealand, and how, at the end of everything, I had finally summoned the courage to tell her how much I truly felt for her.I thought of how we had shared our first kiss an
Sophie POV I took a sip from the glass of water on my desk, directing all my attention to the computer screen gleaming before me.The traps I set up for those treacherous informants within our company were beginning to yield results.About three of the cloned email addresses received messages from the suspects agreeing to my terms and conditions; all I had to do now was extend my hook, and the silly baits would catch on to it."Should I inform Elliot at this point?" I reasoned."No, I preferred making my kill first before letting him know of the situation." Immediately I thought of Elliot; memories of yesterday flashed before me. Elliot had appeared so tense when I had gone back to his office later that afternoon to pick up my kids, and I had asked him what the matter was, but he had only responded from the top of his head as he rushed out of the office, mumbling something like:"Just go home with t