Intriguing

Fortnight Later-

It was not far off from the end of the month of October. The weather was getting wintrier and cold current of air has just started to hit more mordantly. Felt like weather has just started to show its gain victory over phase. 

While returning from gallery, Sophia sitting by window started to doze off. Today she was extra fatigued, she got a little prior to everyday's time. They had a special order due by Friday, and it was already Wednesday. She had to complete the work entrusted to her as expeditiously as possible so she can help Charlotte with her work. And today she already had set the seal on her part by working her fingers to the bone.

Suddenly her head hit the glass of window and she got out off her catnap. As soon as she was completely awakened she realized that she had missed her stop by a few miles.

Immediately she got up from her seat asked the driver in loud yet muffled voice, "Sir, I missed my stop. Please can you make a quick stop by side?"

"No, I am sorry miss, it's no parking zone. If by any chance I get caught, there will be a great problem." Driver replied.

"Please sir, if I won't get out now, I'll be late for my part-time."

"Okay, make it quick." And with that he drove the bus to the side and Sophia meteorically ran towards the door. As soon as the bus halted and door shot open, Sophia in hurry jumped out of the bus.

After getting off, she had a good brisk walk in a quick pace in the direction of the café. She got in and went straight to have on her apron after removing her off white cardigan for work. 

Cafe’s dining area and the florist shop where Sophia worked and made bouquets were separated by a wall. The area where she made bouquet was filled with different kind of beautiful flowers filling the area with sweet fragrance. 

Whereas, the bistro had sitting according to different requirements for different accommodation and to order food was a separate reception with quick-lunch counter. It was self service kind of café. The café was filled with delicious aroma that made one's mouth water.

Both the areas were covered by glass.

Once she came out of the staff room she saw Joseph, one of the part-time waiters in the café sitting with sulking face at the counter. As soon as he saw Sophia approaching with fast steps he rolled his eyes and said "Welcome! Today you are again behind hand. I had to cover up for you."

"I am really sorry Joseph and also thank you. Actually I missed my stop. Moreover I am just ten minutes behind time."

"Stop rationalizing yourself Sophia. I covered up for you and instead of being great full to me, you are making me aware that I am here because of you from only ten minutes." He rambled in anger.

"I didn't mean that Joseph and it's not like I didn't thanked you, please stop narrating like this, as if I am malicious to you." 

"You are Sophia." 

With that he got up from his seat and stomped out to go to the café. Sophia saw his disappearing figure when her eyes noticed Lisa standing. Sighing Lisa entered and looked at Sophia with commiserating eyes.

Not long before Joseph had proposed Sophia, but she rejected him as she's not ready to emotionally attach herself with other being and them suddenly disappearing from her life.

"What?" Sophia asked irritated. 

"You know what. You could have given him a chance. Or are you planning to die single. Don't you want to enjoy your life? Moreover you could have got a good companion in the form of Joseph."

"Lizzie, it's not about chance, I don't have time for any kind of relationship. I am not in fit state into the bargain. The void created by losing my parents can't be filled to the brim by anyone." Sophia replied softly like she's tired of explaining yet again and again. 

"Sophia, darling, just look at him, how personable he is, any girl would be ready to jump off if he asks for. Perfect in every aspect, let be study, family, hard working. Besides he was head over heels for you. I just don't take on board why you are refusing such a proposal. He's such a gentleman."

"Lisa please. Now stop it. What's more if he's such a gentleman he would have accepted my rejection and not behaving like this, saying mean things to me." Sophia said making face as long as fiddle.

Lisa felt bad to force her friend like this but it was true. Joseph is one of the good natured men who would take a very good care of Sophia.

"I know what you are saying is totally correct but for now he is angry Sophie. He is not getting your philosophical points over his normal brain." Lisa laughed out loudly saying so.

"Stop reasoning him Lisa or shall I call Samuel and tell him about your condition of drooling over other boys?" Sophia asked devilishly trying to hold her laugh.

"Ahaaa! And let me see how you will be able to call him." 

With that Lisa stepped forward and started tickling her and Sophia started to laugh out loudly, trying to save herself from Lisa's attack.

"Aaahh! I am ticklish, Lisa don't." Sophia said laughing.

Suddenly the bell hanging over the door jingled loudly and both girls made their head turn in the direction to see who entered. By the door they saw a handsome, hunky man dressed in complete black tuxedo and coat with his tie hanging loosely over his unbuttoned collar. The only thing wrong was his eyes. They were grey hawk like sharp, penetrating eyes, with few strands of black hair falling over his forehead covering them too. As soon as Sophia saw them staring her with great intensity, it sent chills over her body. After a moment or two she turned her eyes away from his lidless eyes and stoop up from her chair.

Dusk approached slowly, painting the sky in its own color as twilight was about to fall. Noah was working on his laptop sitting behind his desk, with his glasses on. He had tucked his tie loose hanging around his collar with couple of buttons undone. His muscular arms were bare for display as he had folded his sleeve.

For the past week he had been working day and night, as he'll be giving a new direction to his company. And today he was determined to wrap up everything.

Although busy with new métier, he never forgot his enchantress. Every now and then, the little spell caster kept on crawling through his heart, making him more intrigued over her.

Only he knew how he was controlling his madness. Like some sorceress, she had a great deal of supremacy over his mind. Only if he can perceive her again what all things he would do and this time won't let her recede from view.

Suddenly he heard a knock on door. Without shifting his gaze he asked person to enter by replying "Yes." in his deep voice resonating in room.

Opening door, Stefan came in and before he can say anything Noah said in calm husky voice "Call for meeting by 8 P.M. and ask everyone to give final presentation. We will be wrapping it by today."

"Sir, you'll have to go to the funeral. Today's morning, Mr. Jacob passed away." Finally Stefan let out.

Noah finally lifted his gaze with tired eyes to take a glance on him. Stefan thought that again he'll have to bear this stern man's wrath, although he was not the one to be blamed, no one was to blame, but to his surprise nothing came. On contrary he calmly replied letting his head fall resting his back over back post "Why that old man choose this vary day to die? Call chauffeur to get drive ready, I'll be there within ten minutes."

Coming out Stefan let out sigh of relief and called the driver. Within ten - fifteen minutes he mounted car to visit crematorium dressed in black coat and tuxedo without Stefan accompanying them.

While riding the driver heard a deep throaty voice "Make a stop by florist shop and buy wreath for the funeral."

"Yes sir."

After five minutes driver stopped by a café attached with a small florist shop. Noah lifted his head to see through glass door and walls of the shop. As soon as he turned his gaze in that direction, he saw a girl laughing her heart out. He felt pace of his heart rhythm hiking up.

She was the same girl he saw near Bacchus Whine Bar & Restaurant walking through the footpath.

"I'll go."

Driver heard making him stopping in his way to buy them. This made him think how much of importance is this Mr. Jacob is for whom he personally is going to buy wreath.

Getting off he approached the shop and stood there observing her. Her soft figure became clearer. She clothed herself in coral colored loose t-shirt behind black apron paired up with a pair of jeans. She had her beautiful chestnut curly tress combed in a low pony with a few strands falling over her dazzling cheeks. Because of hard laughing her cheeks turned crimson red in color, showing not too deep dimples. Although other day she had applied light shade of pink over her lips, but today her natural rosy lips seemed more tempting to him, straight away his mind started to have wild thoughts of how they would taste. Instantly his tired gaze started to gleam.

He opened the door with a loud jerk which made her look at his direction causing her laugh to cease. For some time they shared looks with different gaze, innocent curious looks of her and well of his, it was quiet an intense, lingering gaze.

After few seconds she turned her contemplate away from him. But he, he kept giving her fixed look full of fervency to her as if he would eat her alive.

Because of her demeanor he saw, the way she laughed, gave him a confused innocent look and the way she turned her gaze away from him shyly which he absorbed deeply, made him more possessed by unknown evil spirit within himself.

"At the end of the day I finally found you sweetest." Satan thought.