A NEW ERA

Anything that had to do with magic was considered evil even in this modern world where people claim to be awakening.

My body shivered as I waited for Lucas to call me a witch, throw stones at me and fire me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I finally managed to say, my voice shaking despite myself.

Lucas laughed softly, an almost predatory sound. “Don’t lie to me. I know what you’ve been up to, Sophia. I said I liked you and I wanted you so apparently I had to dig you up. Find your past and what you’ve been up to from the day you were born until now. Unfortunately, your profile was boring until the part where you visited a small occult shop of a scammer.” , 

I stood abruptly, backing away from him. “Surely, that’s illegal! You can’t run such checks on me. You don’t get to accuse me of—”

He grabbed my wrist in a swift motion, pulling me back toward him. The sudden action caught me off guard, and I stumbled, almost crashing into his chest.

“Of what?” 

“You can’t accuse me of witchcraft.” I said lamely.

He burst out laughing. “You must watch a lot of movies. Witchcraft? Probably happened last in the thirteenth century.”

“You—l need to leave” I felt humiliated 

“Shhh…I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable with my teasing. Don’t run from me,” he said, his voice dangerously soft. “I’m not done with you.”

I wanted to pull away, but I didn’t. Instead, I stood there, trapped between him and the desk, my heart hammering in my chest.

He inhaled my scent. Nuzzled his nose into my neck in a way that I felt like melting into his arms.

“But maybe the magic tricks are working because I can’t resist you.” he said, his voice dripping with sensual tones. “I really want you to belong to me.” 

I looked up into his eyes, trying to hold on to the last bit of defiance I had. “Now who’s Archaic? Who’s stuck in the thirteenth century between the both of us? I’m not a property to be owned. I cannot belong to you. I won’t be controlled by you.”

Lucas smile twisted, dark and knowing. “We’ll see about that. Leave my office, Sophia.”

“What?—“ I was discordinated,

“Fix the button on you blouse as you go, they’ve been undone and you’ve been flashing me your magnificent boobs.” He said casually with a growing smirk.

I was flustered .

Such an arrogant man. I clumsily left his office.

***

I stepped out of the elevator, heels clicking against the polished floor. Heads turned. Conversations paused. A whistle cut through the murmur. My chest lifted. My back straightened. I swung my hips from left to right. I walked with deliberate grace, eyes ahead, pretending not to notice, but I felt it all. Every stare. Every glance. Every shift of posture as people turned to look.

Validation. Just what I needed!

Some of the women looked me up and down, eyes narrowed. Envy. The kind I used to feel in school when the popular girls walked by, hair bouncing, perfume trailing. The type I used to feel just a few weeks ago when the air-heads at work walked into the office looking stunning while I remained in the background.

“I can see the shift,” I thought, “I have become THAT GIRL!”

I felt hysterical.

I didn’t need to smile. The confidence radiated without effort. I carried myself with my head held up high. With Grace. I now belonged. I knew something they didn’t. I grinned inwardly at my secret.

I made it to my desk and exhaled quietly. My reflection caught the edge of my computer screen. Clean. Poised. Still me but clearly refined. I used to wonder what it would feel like to walk into a room and be noticed. Now I knew. And it wasn’t just nice. It was addictive. 

I felt HOT. I felt sexy. I felt wanted.

The day passed in a blur of meetings, emails. I caught Lucas looking my way during a pitch meeting. His eyes never lingered longer than necessary, just for a second, and then flicked away. But I always caught him.

“Will you join me for my laundry drop off today, please?” Maya asked as we walked out of the conference room at the end of the meeting.

“Why?”

“Well.. because I like your company. Can’t I want to spend time with my friend, even if it’s a few stolen minutes riding to the laundromat?” 

I squinted. “You’re up to something, Maya”

“Okay okay, you got me. I have no gas in my car at the moment. I need a ride” she said

“Cool. I’ll give you one. I also have to do some drop off too. So it’s no biggie” I agreed

After work, I changed into something comfy and went to pick up Maya. 

“Thanks for picking me up.” Maya said as she hopped in. 

We talked about every and anything during our ride. When we got there my phone rang. It was Faula, my step sister.

“Go ahead. I’ll join you later. Faula is calling.”

“Oh the evil step sister…” Maya replied.

“Shuush!” 

She shrugged. “What? She’s evil. As evil as her mom. Go on ahead, I’ll take your stuff in for you.” She said.

“Thanks, you’re a sweetheart.” I blew her kisses .

“Faula” I answered the phone 

“What sort of an ingrate are you? Mom and Dad’s anniversary was yesterday and you didn’t bother to show up?” Faula launched in without any sort of pleasantries.

“I’m sorry, work was hectic. I could make it.” I lied when I actually didn’t even remember.

“Work work work. What sort of person are you?” Faula continued. 

“I’m still at work Faula, will call you back later tonight.”

“Don’t you dare, end this call—“ she warned.

I ended the call. I didn’t have energy for her drama.

I put my phone back into my cross shoulder bag and got out of the car. 

I noticed that The wind picked up. I arranged my little skirt which seemed to want to dance to the music of the wind. 

“Maybe you should come stand here. The wind is not in this direction.” A voice said

And That’s when I noticed Him.

Tall. Clean-cut. Good posture. He leaned against the corner wall of the laundromat like he was waiting for someone. He looked at me from head to toe in awe.

Then, He smiled.

I hesitated. Cute men don’t smile at Sophia. But then I recalled this is a new Sophia Morales.

“Hey,” he said, stepping forward. His voice was warm. Measured. “Sorry to have spoken to you without any proper introduction… I noticed you were having a hard time with your dress and the wind. I hope I don’t come across as a creep..”

He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He was definitely Nervous.

“Nah…thanks,” I said.

He smiled again . “You’re just so beautiful. I’m overwhelmed by it and it’s making me nervous. I’m Usually a very confident man”

I blinked.  He looked like a sweet guy.

“If you don’t mind, can I have your number?” He asked very respectfully.

“I don’t usually do this,” I answered.

“That’s fair,” he replied. “I don’t expect a damsel like you to give out her number to every Tom, Dick and Harry. So… I understand if you don’t want to”

I smiled, pulled my phone from my coat pocket, and handed it to him. He typed in his number and handed it back.

“The name is Can,” he said.

“Sophia.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.”

“Likewise.”

We exchanged a few more words. Light, casual. 

“I think I need to leave now. Hopefully we see again. Please text me.” His eyes told me he was counting on that text from me.

“Sure thing.” I replied.

I watched as he walked away. He was handsome. I couldn’t take the smile off my face.

This is what being invisible for years had kept me from experiencing. Attention!

The truth was, I liked this— being noticed. I liked the power of it. The way people responded.