CHAPTER THREE

I got to the office super early, eager for the presentation. It was an avenue to show my prowess and I would make the most of this opportunity. My sleepless night can’t be in vain and it’s time I make Celine see I am in the right place. As I hurriedly arranged the file, I whispered to myself, rehearsing exactly what I would say to him.

“Good morning” Mia greeted as she walked up to me.

“ Good morning Mia” I was surprised as this was the first time she had spoken to me since I got the job

“ Don’t tell me you will be meeting the president looking like this” she remarked with scorn on her face, her hand scanning me from my head to my toe

“And what’s wrong with what I’m wearing,” I said angrily

“Nothing anyways not like you stand a chance.” She said with a dangerous smile and she added before sitting “ That’s my man so do the business you’re being paid to do and don’t get carried away”

“You must be crazy,” I said under my breath

“What did you just say” she asked but I didn’t dignify her with a response.

“I thought as…” Mia began to speak but before she could finish, Celine entered the room

“Hope you’re ready because we will be meeting him in the next five minutes” Celine announced

“I’m more than ready” I replied confidently

“Don’t get ahead of yourself” she cautioned, looking at me pointedly. “Hope you changed the colour palette”

“I did as you instructed” I replied

“Alright, it’s time to see what you’ve got although I don’t have any expectations,” Celine remarked dismissively

My heart was racing with a furious rhythm as we made our way down the corridor toward his office. Each step felt heavier than the last. When we reached the door, Celine turned to me.

"Wait out here a moment while I let him know you've arrived," she said

I could only manage a tight nod in response. Celine slipped inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts—a perilous situation. Deep breaths, I told myself. You can do this. Just... keep it together.

What felt like an eternity later, Celine poked her head back out. "You can come in now."

“Good morning” I greeted trying to hide my nervousness

“Good morn…” He began, lifting his face and our eyes locked in. It felt like the ground should open up for me to get in. “This is the last person I want to see right now.” I thought my mouth hanging open as I struggled to find words.

He turned to Celine. “Is she the one presenting”

“Yes, Mr Hernandez. Is there a problem?” She looked confused, her eyes shifting between me and him seeking answers

“ There’s no problem Celine. Let’s get to the reason she is here. Introduce yourself and let me know what you have for me.”

Is he kidding me right now? I should introduce myself, so Alex wants to pretend like he doesn’t know me. Wow

I cleared my throat before proceeding “I’m Sophie and this is the file you requested for…” I trailed off, mesmerized by his penetrating stare. Celine not-so-subtly elbowed me, snapping me out of my daze. "Right, um, for the Landmark project."

Alex flipped through the pages, frowning. "What's this? Why is the colour palette like this?"

Before I’d answer the question, Celine had given me a look that said “You better not involve me.”

“I’m so sorry. I just thought it would be best this way but I could change it” I said looking at Celine for support

“Mr Hernandez I’m so sorry she couldn’t even do something as simple as this. She is new and still learning the ropes. I will ensure she is trained better. I take full responsibility” she said acting like a saint.

“There would be no need to tell me anything about this for now. Make the necessary adjustment and then you can come in for the presentation.” He said turning his attention elsewhere,

“Thank you,” we both said as we walked out of the office but I was out of my body. Cold running through my spine. That was Alex, the same Alex. Why him of all people? I was so lost in thought but I could see her mouth moving but didn’t hear a thing she was saying.. she tapped me when she didn’t get a reply

“Uh!” I exclaimed, startled

“I will ask again, what was the meaning of the madness you exhibited in his office”

I remained silent, unable to find an answer. All that occupied my mind was Alex. Seeing him after 5years has shaken me to my core. Thought I was over him but clearly that was a lie I had been telling myself as his face brought back memories I thought I had buried long ago.

“Sophie, do you know him? And this time don’t you dare ignore my question” She asked with a serious look

“How can I possibly know him?” I said feeling deflated

“That’s right, how can you possibly know him? You both are not in the same social class. I’m just an overthinker” she scoffed as she left me behind then stopped halfway and turned back “Remember that project was done by you and it was all your idea. Don’t you ever say otherwise”

I nodded as there was no strength left in me to even construct a word for her. I felt like a ghost walking through the office, so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Mia standing on my path and I almost bumped into her

“Are you blind, can’t you see?” She asked shifting a little

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said about to leave but she held me by the hand and took me to the printing room that was just by the corner.

“How was he?” she asked excitedly

“Who?” I asked disinterestedly

“ Who else? Alexander Hernandez, of course. My husband,” she said smiling

“I didn’t ask about personal matters, it was strictly business but he did look well,” I replied

“Please let me take over this task. I heard Celine saying you will be working closely with him.” She pleaded, pouting and giving puppy eyes

“We are not close enough for me to do you that favour” I replied

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, you should know that, It’s a gradual thing and this could just bring us closer” she insisted, pleading with her hands clasped together.

I don’t want to be around Alex. I knew he despised me, so it seemed like a win-win situation. Mia could handle the task and be with him, while I focused on other things before I lost my sanity dealing with both him and Celine in such close quarters.

“Okay, you can have it” I agreed, hoping to spare myself the emotional turmoil of constantly interacting with my past. “But you will have to tell Celine you asked for it and you can hand over the project you are working on.”

“Thank you. Thank you, Sophie. I owe you one.” She said as she took the file and danced out of the room leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I leaned back against the wall, letting out a shaky breath as images from the past flickered through my mind. Our stolen moments, the way he made me smile, how he once looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered, and then the crushing disappointment when it had all come crashing down.