CHAPTER 10

Elijah’s POV

It’s been weeks now since I last heard from Sophia. I couldn't shake the unsettling thought of the man who had answered Sophia's phone. His voice was unfamiliar, and I was certain I didn't know him. The realization that Sophia was with someone I had never even met was unacceptable. 

Desperation gnawed at my resolve as I reached out to her adoptive mother and brother, only to be met with the chilling news that they too had lost contact with Sophia. She must have changed her contact number! Was it because of me? How could she just cut off all ties with me like that?

That whole day, I couldn’t focus on anything. I was still thinking about Sophia when I saw a familiar woman running across the lobby of our office, holding some huge envelopes. Kayla Davis, Sophia’s best friend. 

“I can’t believe her! She keeps rejecting all the programs I’ve submitted!” I heard her say furiously. That’s when I noticed that my assistant Connor was walking beside her, trying to catch up with her fast pace. “She doesn’t even review them thoroughly. Maybe she doesn’t look at them at all!”

Connor looked at her sympathetically. That’s when Kayla suddenly looked up and saw me. Her eyes immediately lit up. “Just the person I wanted to see!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Hello, Elijah! I’ve been meaning to book an appointment with you, that’s why I was talking to Connor here…”

“Kayla, hey,” I greeted casually. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, Serena hasn’t been seriously considering the designs I’ve submitted,” she told me with irritation. “I think she just wants to spite me or something. So Sophia said I should come to you because you have integrity and surely you’ll handle this matter impartially.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of my ex-wife. I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest. “Sophia? Did she really say that?”

Kayla rolled her eyes. It seemed like she didn’t want to flatter me by answering the question. But eventually, she said yes.

I felt pleased. And suddenly, I had a great idea. “Okay, hand those over and I’ll review them and deal with Serena… But…” I trailed off. 

“But what?” Kayla asked, puzzled. 

“You must tell me where Sophia is at the moment,” I finished.

Her eyes grew wide. “I can’t do that! Elijah, even though you're my current boss, I can't tell you anything about my friend.”

I tried to keep my frustration in check. “Come on, Kayla, I'm not asking for state secrets. I just need to talk to her.”

Kayla shook her head, her expression resolute. “I'm sorry, Elijah, but I can't help you.”

“Please, Kayla,” I pressed, “it's important.”

She sighed, glancing around the lobby before leaning in closer. “Alright, I'll tell you this much—she's in Paris. To study art.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Paris? Art studies?”

Kayla nodded, then quickly covered her ears with both hands, her eyes wide. “That's all I can say! I really can't say anything more.”

I couldn't help but smile. “Okay, thanks.” I took her designs and began walking away, with Connor following behind me. 

When Kayla was finally out of earshot, I turned toward my assistant. “Book me a flight to Paris, Connor. I must go there on a business trip.”

We stepped into the elevator together. He looked doubtful but he nodded at me. “Right away, sir. I’ll book your flight to Paris.”

Just then, a familiar voice spoke up. “You’re going to Paris?” 

I was surprised to find Serena standing inside the elevator too. I didn’t realize that she’d already been there when we had come in. 

“Why do you need to go there immediately?” she inquired, looking at me suspiciously. 

“I have a project to take care of with our partners there,” I answered nonchalantly. 

She suddenly grinned at me, linking her arm with mine. “Oh, what a coincidence! I just got off the phone with our partners there, and it just so happens I’m the head designer coordinating with them at the moment. Let me come with you, Elijah.”

And before I could even respond to that, she turned to Connor with a huge smile. “Book my ticket as well, Connor.”