Sophia finished her work early that day. Emma had a date with Jake, so Sophia had to find her way home alone. She stepped out of the hotel building and waited for the cab she had ordered. As she stood there, her mind wandered to the text she had sent to Alexander the night before. While she was satisfied she had spoken her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, wondering if she had been too harsh.A black, latest-model Jeep pulled up in front of her, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Am I about to be abducted?” Sophia thought, trying to peer through the tinted glass. Just then, Dominic emerged from the car, and Sophia felt a wave of relief.“Good evening, Miss Bennett,” Dominic greeted with a smile. “Sorry about my driver’s poor parking skills. We were in a rush to catch you before you left.”“Good evening to you as well, Mr.?” Sophia replied, realizing she didn’t know Dominic’s last name.“Dominic is fine,” he said, waving off the formality.“What can I help you with, Domini

Sophia watched Dominic's car until it disappeared around the corner, then turned her attention back to Camelia, who was now looking directly at her. She squared her shoulders and walked toward the porch, her steps measured and deliberate. As she approached, Camelia’s expression shifted from curiosity to a sly smile. “Sophia, there you are. I’ve been waiting for you.”“What are you doing here, Camelia?” Sophia asked, keeping her voice steady.Camelia’s smile widened. “I just wanted to talk. There’s so much going on, and I thought we should clear the air.”Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Clear the air? About what?”“Oh, you know, all the recent excitement. Your sudden rise to fame, your new... relationship,” Camelia said, her tone dripping with insincerity.Sophia clenched her fists, her patience wearing thin. “If you have something to say, Camelia, just say it.”“Oh, so now you have the boldness to talk back to me?” Camelia said, moving closer to Sophia, her eyes glinting with malice.“Wha

“Stop it!” Sophia shouted, her voice muffled by the flour coating her face. She tried to shield herself with her hands, but the assault continued, relentless and humiliating.The leader stepped forward, his sneer turning into a menacing grin. “You think you can just walk into the limelight and not face any consequences? Think again.”Sophia’s mind raced. She had to get out of there. She turned to run, but the group blocked her path, closing in like a pack of wolves.“I told you we have a message to deliver to you, don't just scurry off without hearing it” The leader said.Sophia squared her shoulders, trying to muster any semblance of courage she had left. “What message? Why are you doing this?”The leader smirked, taking another step closer. “We want to remind you of your place. You might think you’ve hit the jackpot with Alexander, but people like you don’t belong in our world. Stay out of the spotlight, or things will get worse.” Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest. She realized t

****************Alexander settled into his bed, having rushed through his nightly routine and skipped dinner altogether. Frustration from the evening’s events weighed heavily on him. As he lay in the dimly lit room, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts churned relentlessly.‘Was this really Sophia's plan from the beginning?’ he mused, his mind racing with doubts and suspicions. He wondered if she had been paid to sabotage him, and if that was the case, how had her mysterious benefactor known about his plan to propose the contract? The thought gnawed at him, making sleep an elusive prospect.The necklace Sophia had worn that evening was an amulet his mother had once owned, a family heirloom imbued with sentimental value. He had given it to the first and only girlfriend he had ever dated, Bridget, during their brief but intense relationship. His father had arranged the relationship, a strategic move in the world of hig

******************Sophia sat anxiously on her couch, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She had sent Alexander the picture of the package as proof, but hours had passed, and still, there was no response. Doubt gnawed at her. Did he still not believe her despite the evidence?She tried to distract herself, but her thoughts kept circling back to the events of the past few days. Emma had been a great support, but it was Jake who had provided the context that made Alexander’s reaction more comprehensible.Jake, Emma’s boyfriend, had come over the previous night after hearing the full story. He was the Editor-in-chief of Elite Chronicles, one of the most reputable magazine companies in the city. When he arrived, his face had a look of concern mixed with curiosity.“Sophia, I think I can shed some light on why Alexander reacted the way he did,” Jake had said, settling into an armchair across from her.Sophia had looked at him, hopeful and desperate for any explanation that could make s