Chapter 8: The Road Ahead

Julian pushed open the door of Ma Rachel's club, the familiar thump of music and hum of conversation enveloping him.

 The dim lighting and pulsating rhythms seemed to reverberate deep within his chest, stirring up memories of his encounter with Sophia.

As he approached the bar, Ma Rachel's face lit up with a warm smile, “Hi sir! It's great to see you again!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

She sashayed towards him, her hips swaying to the music, and Julian felt a twinge of awkwardness.

“Hey, Rachel. What's up?” he asked, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil brewing inside him. 

He couldn't shake off the feeling that he needed to see Sophia again, to unravel the mystery that surrounded her.

Ma Rachel leaned in, her voice taking on a flirtatious tone. “I was wondering what brought you here tonight. Are you looking for someone to keep you company?” She asked, her eyes batting at him.

Julian's eyes narrowed, his mind focused on one person - Sophia. “Actually, I'm looking for that girl, the one I took with me the last time I can here. Is she working tonight?”, he asked, his voice firm and resolute.

Ma Rachel's expression faltered, and she looked away, her voice dripping to a whisper. “She already resigned. She's not working here anymore”.

Julian's eyes widened in surprise. “Why would she resign? Where was she now?. He felt a pang of disappointment, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic Sophia.

“Are you okay, Julian?” Ma Rachel asked, concern etched on her face.

Julian nodded, his eyes still scanning the room as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Sophia. “Yeah, I'm fine. Can you please tell me her name?”.

“What! You mean you don't know her name, her name is Sophia by the way”, Ma Rachel said, with a shocking tone.

“Thanks, I appreciate Rachel”, Julian said leaving the club.

He turned and walked away, his mind reeling with thoughts of Sophia. Where was she? Why did she leave? And how could he find her again?.

The questions swirled in his head like a vortex, pulling him under with an intensity that left him breathless.

As he stepped out into the cool night air, Julian felt a sense of unease. He wanted to find Sophia. The mystery surrounding her had become an obsession, driving him to uncover the truth about the girl who had captured his mind.

…….

The next day, Julian went to the office. He pushed open the door to his office, the familiar hum of computers and rustle of papers enveloping him. He had spent the previous night searching for Sophia at the club, but she was nowhere to be found. 

The disappointment still lingered, but Julian was determined to put her out of his mind.

“What's wrong with me?” Julian muttered to himself, shaking his head. “Why am I even looking for her? It was just a one-night stand,for crying out loud!”.

He paced around the room, his mind racing with thoughts of Sophia. “But there is something about her……something that's driving me crazy. Is it the way she looked at me? Or is it something more?.

Julian stopped pacing and looked at himself in the mirror. “You're a successful businessman, soon to be CEO of this firm, Julian. You have everything you need. Why are you letting this girl get under your skin?”.

He took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling. “I need to focus on finding a wife. Someone who can provide me with stability and companionship, not some mysterious girl”.

Julian sat down at his desk and began to scroll through his phone, searching for potential matches. But his mind kept wandering back to Sophia.

“I think I will just settle for my PA, she is a good person I guess. Just propose the contract of marriage to her. At least in a space of one year, I will have what I want and pay her off”. Julian said whispering to himself.

“I pray she agrees. Jeez! What if she has a man? I pray she doesn't. But why can't I get this particular girl out of my head?” Julian exclaimed, frustration etched on his face. “What is it about her that's got me so hooked?”.

He threw his phone aside and stoop up, pacing around the room again. “I need to snap out of this. I need to focus on what is ahead of me, not some fleeting infatuation”.

But as he looked out the window, Julian couldn't shake off the feeling that he was making a mistake. Was he really ready to give up on that infatuation?

Or was he just trying to convince himself that he was?.