CHAPTER 24HENRY’S POVI sat at my desk, staring at the computer screen but not really seeing anything. My mind was elsewhere, lost in a maze of thoughts and doubts. What had I done last night, and how had it affected Sophia? It was a question that had been nagging at me since the moment I'd walked into my office that morning.The sound of my ringing phone snapped me out of my reverie. I glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Layla. A mixture of relief and guilt washed over me. I hadn't called or texted her after our date last night, and now she was calling me. I quickly picked up the phone."Hey, Layla," I greeted, trying to sound as casual as possible."Hey, Henry," she replied in an equally casual tone. "I was just wondering how Sophia's doing. You left our date pretty abruptly last night."Her words hit me like a gentle reprimand, and I felt even worse. "I'm sorry about that, Layla. Sophia... well, she had a bit of a rough night, and I needed to make sure she was okay."Ther
CHAPTER 25SOPHIA’S POV I sat at my desk, trying to focus on my writing, my mind kept betraying me. It replayed the memory of that passionate kiss with Henry. The sensation of his lips against mine, the warmth of his embrace—it all felt too vivid to be just a figment of my imagination. I scolded myself, convinced that no such thing had happened. I was an adult, and my fantasies should stay in the realm of fiction.My internal struggle was interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door, followed by Henry's entrance. I looked up at him with a frown, ready to fend off another scolding. "What do you want now? Another lecture?" I asked, my irritation seeping into my voice.Henry shook his head, his expression earnest. "No, Sophia, I'm not here to lecture you," he replied calmly. "I came to apologize."I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his unexpected admission. "Apologize? For what?"He sighed, clearly choosing his words carefully. "Look, Sophia, I know you're an adult, and you have every right
CHAPTER 26SOPHIA’S POVI sauntered into the dining room, the morning light dancing across the table, and found Henry already seated, lost in thought. His furrowed brows and distant gaze made me wonder if it was too early to ask for a favor. But I couldn't let that deter me. With a cheerful smile, I greeted him."Good morning, Henry," I began, trying to set a positive tone. "I've got a little favor to ask."He looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Sure thing, Sophia. You know you can ask me anything."Encouraged by his response, I leaned in slightly, my voice tinged with enthusiasm. "I want to intern at your company."Henry's response came quicker than I expected, and it was not what I wanted to hear. "No."My smile wavered for a brief moment as I tried to process his answer. "But you said I could ask you anything."He let out a resigned sigh, his expression unwavering. "I did, but this is something I can't agree to."My determination flared, and I
CHAPTER 27HENRY’S POV Layla and I strolled hand in hand through the serene corridors of the aquarium. The soft blue glow of the tanks bathed us in an otherworldly light, and the mesmerizing dance of fish captured our attention."Look at those angelfish," I pointed to a pair gracefully gliding through the water. "They look like they're wearing evening gowns."Layla laughed, her eyes sparkling. "They certainly do! I've always found the underwater world fascinating."We moved on to the next tank, home to a school of neon tetras. Their iridescent bodies shimmered as they darted around, creating a vibrant spectacle."These little guys are like nature's disco lights," I remarked.Layla nodded in agreement. "It's incredible how such small creatures can bring so much color and life to the world."As we continued our exploration, we found ourselves in front of a tank filled with clownfish. One of them, with its vibrant orange stripes, caught Layla's attention."Hey, check this out," she said
CHAPTER 28 SOPHIA’S POV I woke up that morning with a silent prayer on my lips, hoping that the day wouldn't bring another clash with Henry. It was like a never-ending cycle, one minute we were all smiles, and the next we were locked in heated arguments. I longed for a peaceful day, devoid of tension and drama.As I descended the stairs, I couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store. To my surprise, Henry wasn't alone in the living room. My heart leaped with joy when I spotted my father standing there, looking as distinguished and loving as ever. Without a moment's hesitation, I rushed to him, engulfing him in a bear hug."Daddy!" I exclaimed, feeling an overwhelming surge of affection. "I've missed you."His warm embrace enveloped me, just as I remembered it from my childhood. "I've missed you too, Sophia," he replied, his voice filled with genuine affection.But before I could savor the precious reunion any longer, Henry chimed in with a teasing grin, "Ah, a real daddy's gi
CHAPTER 29SOPHIA’S POVI took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what lay ahead. I had made a decision, one that was challenging my pride and stubbornness. I needed to give Kayla a chance, not only for my father's sake but for my own peace of mind. I sought out my dad and found him in his study, engrossed in some paperwork. He looked up, his eyes lighting up when he saw me."Hey, sweetie," he greeted, his smile warm and inviting."Dad," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "I... I'm sorry for the way I reacted earlier. I want to make an effort to get to know Kayla."His smile widened, and he stood up, coming over to hug me tightly. "That's wonderful, Sophia. You won't regret it."With a sigh of relief, I went up to my father's bedroom, steeling myself for the next part of my mission. I opened the door, and there she was—Kayla, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking perfectly at ease in our home.I walked up to her, my expression stern, and she glanced up, her eyes mee
CHAPTER 30HENRY’S POVThe next day, Collins and I sat in my living room, sipping on our glasses of whiskey. The evening was calm, and the amber liquid in our glasses seemed to be doing its job in relaxing our weary souls."You know, Henry," Collins began, his voice slightly slurred from the whiskey, "I really think Kayla might be the one."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden declaration. "The one? You mean like the one you'll marry?"Collins nodded, a goofy smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, man, I mean it. She's different, you know? She's got this charm that just draws you in."I couldn't help but chuckle at his lovesick expression. "Well, that's great, Collins. I'm happy for you."He took another sip of his whiskey and then turned the conversation in my direction. "So, Henry, what about you? Why aren't you dating anyone?"I sighed, not entirely sure I wanted to delve into this topic. But Collins was persistent, and he knew me well enough not to let things slide."Look
CHAPTER 31SOPHIA’S POVI couldn't shake the whirlwind of emotions and complications that had become my life recently. So, I did what I always did when I needed a reality check, a laugh, or just some good old-fashioned advice – I called Kylie.As soon as she picked up, I dived right into the drama. "Girl, you won't believe the mess I'm in right now. Remember Henry? Well, he's been giving me those judgmental, 'I know what's best for you' lectures, and it's driving me insane."Kylie chuckled on the other end. "Oh, dear. What did he say this time?"I groaned dramatically. "He's upset because I've been pretending to date Jason. Can you believe it? And the worst part is that he's right. I can't keep lying to my dad like this, but I don't know how to fix it without making everything more complicated."Kylie's laughter was infectious. "Well, well, well, Sophia, you've gotten yourself into quite the telenovela, haven't you?"I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, yeah, laug