Chapter six

Sophia, Bianca, Andria, and Sana stood outside the company, staring up at the vast complex of it. The breathtaking way it looked in the early hour of the morning grabbed the attention of the onlookers. They snapped out of their trance, almost simultaneously.

"Well here goes nothing. Wish me, luck guys."

Bianca touched her shoulder assuring. "You've got this Sophia. If you're in a bind, just text us. We'll help you out" she looked at the other, who nodded in support.

"Yeah, you should text me. I've been doing this for years" Andria bragged, making the others roll their eyes.

Sophia smiled. "I'll make sure to do that ma'am". She hugged each of them in turn. They all walked in, separating only at the elevators leading to their different department.

Sophia made sure not to wear heels, feeling grateful for that particular rule. She put on a darker shade of clothing, making sure to look trim and proper, she watched her reflection on the glassy wall smirking. "Not bad at all, I mean I even washed my hair, and that's something all by itself". The said hair was parked up neatly, and only some strands escaped, curling at the side of her face. Sophia hummed as the ride ascended. Once the elevator opened, she came face to face with Lennox, remembering the elevator rule all of a sudden. She bowed in greeting, almost breaking her back, at how quick it was. She looked up only to hear his faint footsteps as he walked into his office. The jerk. She straightened, relaxing her back muscles. Tzuyu stepped towards her, looking hostile like she always seemed to be. Was there a chip on her shoulder or something?. Sophia pushed the thought aside, giving her a friendly smile.

"Don't bother with doing anything. He finds faults, no matter how perfect you think you've done a job" she advised, boredom written all over her tired eyes. Didn't she get enough sleep? "You also need to be quiet once that Bell dings. I don't want you getting us Into trouble as you almost did yesterday".

Sophia nodded, choosing to just ignore her jab. "I'll be quiet as a mouse. You won't even know I'm here".

Tzuyu shrugged, her face in a perpetual scowl like the words coming out of Sophia's mouth were poison to her ears. She sauntered back to her seat.

Sophia walked towards her section, muttering under her breath. Tzuyu didn't seem to like her, she wondered why. Was she threatened by me, or was that just her attitude with everyone? She pushed the notion aside, focusing on doing a flawless job that would lead to no query. Lennox's door looked like it was locked, the shades were drawn up, blocking the world out. It felt like a cage. Was he happy locking people out, or was It because he was a sad person?

Sophia waited after doing the little work that got through her desk. The beeper on her desk remained silent, no phone calls came through either. It was like everything went straight to his office. The others worked until their fingers were numb. Maybe that was why Tzuyu was hostile. The thought could be accurate. Who wanted to work like a slave, then watch someone else do nothing, yet receive double of everything you earned. Sophia shuddered at the feeling. The muteness was also getting to her. A constant buzz in her head made it hard to concentrate. Sophia got off her seat. She needed a commotion, something to give the suffocating atmosphere some sparks.

She tripped on her feet, falling to the floor with an exaggerated Yelp. Tzuyu was the first to get to her before the others rushed toward her. The quiet rule was all but forgotten. Sophia smirked inwardly.

"Oh my gosh, are you ok? Did you twist an ankle" she asked in concern, surprising everyone as she felt around her leg? Sophia faked a pained groan, shaking her head.

"I think I dislocated my knees" she got out, earning a sympathetic gasp from Kyle.

The abrupt swish of the door opening got their attention. Lennox came out, a palpable dark aura hovering over his entire being. She couldn't look away once he pinned his cold eyes on her, it was reprimanding. It was like he knew that she had done it on purpose to defy his rules and get his attention. He crossed his arms, the muscle straining the white shirt he wore. Sophia didn't realize when her gaze had slipped. He had that pull to him, which made it hard to look away. He was hypnotizing. His voice was a rumbling storm when he spoke.

"What's the commotion about".

Tzuyu licked her lips nervously before she attempted to speak, Kyle beat her to it.

"Sophia tripped and dislocated her knees".

Sophia didn't like the intense gaze that he fixed on her. It made it difficult for her to breathe. What was this feeling, she asked herself, forcing herself to speak.

"Something must have been in the way. It hurt" she moaned in pain, just to make sure the disbelief in his eyes faded to concern. It doesn't. Mark got up from his crouching position, taking out his phone.

"Don't move, I'll call the hospital. You'll be fine".

"Don't call anyone" he ordered, his voice loud and clear making everyone stop what they were doing. Lennox walked towards her, then grabbed hold of her arm, pulling her sharply onto her feet. She was too surprised to respond in a way that a person with fractured bones reacted. His gaze was cold, disappointment coming off him in waves, almost overwhelming her senses. Sophia felt small. "I prefer when my rules are followed, Miss Sophia. The next time you pull a stunt like that, you'll be out of here. Try to take notice of your surroundings any time you decide to become an actress" he pointed at the installed cameras.

Stupid, so freaking stupid. Of course, there were surveillance cameras. She looked at them from the corners of her eyes, not daring to raise her head all the way, her hands squeezed behind her back.

"I'm sorry Mr. Lennox, it's just that everywhere was so quiet. But you must be an awesome person. You might be strict, but you care about us. You even came out here to..."

"Shut it, that won't work on me" he fired, making her flinch. He took her hand, startling her. Sophia looked at him, as an unbearable flutter started in the pit of her stomach. He placed a receipt on her open palm, then let go, and she looked through the bill gasping. The others watched the unfolding drama, not understanding, yet not daring to go back to their desk without his permission.

"What's this for... This is ridiculous. Forty thousand dollars" she almost waved it in his face but stopped herself in time.

"You trashed my car. The red car you spat on, then dented with your heels. I had to repaint it. That's what it cost". He cocked his head, watching her. Sophia's eyes widened comically, once the memory clicks.

"That's outrageous. There's no way that little dent amounted to this much". She cussed in her head. I should have known the asshole owned the car... A very apt contrast for someone who was all about quietness, driving such an automobile. She felt like pulling out her hair. He watched her calmly as if nothing could shock him.

"It's the latest model. Be happy you didn't break anything, or else you'd have been in debt for the rest of your life. Get back to work" he ordered, facing the rest. "And I hope this never repeats itself".

They all nodded, bowing a bit to avoid the harsh gaze he directed toward them. Tzuyu threw a glance filled with hatred at Sophia, making her feel awful. Lennox walked back into his office, without spearing her a backward glance.

Sophia clutched the bill until her knuckles turned white. "That darn jerk. "