Chapter six

Sophia, Bianca, Andria, and Sana stood outside the company, staring at the vast complex. The breathtaking way it looked in the early morning hours had their jaw dropping even though they'd seen it countless times.

Someone suddenly bumped into Andria, and they all snapped out of their trance, almost simultaneously, as the woman apologized and went on her way.

Sophia blew out a breath and then faced her friends. "Well here goes nothing. Wish me luck, guys."

Bianca touched her shoulder, her gaze 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 especially. I've been doing this for years you know," Andria bragged, making the others roll their eyes.

Sophia smiled. "I'll make sure to do that ma'am". She uttered with a salute then hugged each of them in turn. "Alright. Let's do this!"

"Let's go!" They chorused in unison and walked into the building, separating only at the elevators leading to their different department.

Sophia let out a sigh as the elevator closed, then glanced down at the comfy sneakers she was wearing, her lips curving into a smile. 

Lennox's rules had said no heels allowed, but she was actually grateful for it because wearing heels all day long was a freaking nightmare.

Letting out a happy sigh, she turned, a smirk touching her lips as she checked out her reflection on the glass interior of the elevator. "Not bad at all, I mean I even washed my hair today, and that's something all by itself". The said hair was parked neatly, with only some strands curling at the side of her face. 

Sophia hummed as the ride ascended, feeling good about herself. 

The elevator stopped as it reached her floor and opened. 

Sophia took a deep breath, stepped out, and came face to face with Lennox, and that was when she remembered the no-elevator. 

Crap.

She bowed in greeting, almost breaking her back, with how low she went. Then she glanced up only to hear his faint footsteps as he walked into his office.

Such a 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, so don't even try" she advised, the hate in her tired eyes glaring. 

Didn't she get enough sleep? And what was with that advice? I shouldn't do anything? Was she trying to get me fired?

"You also need to be quiet once that Bell dings. I don't want you getting us into trouble like 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, the perpetual scowl on her face deepening. It was as if every word 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. Why was Tzuyu so hostile? Was she threatened by me, or was that just her attitude with everyone? Whatever I'll just ignore her, she said, focusing on doing a flawless job that would lead to no query. 

Lennox's door looked like it was locked, the shades were also 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, but the beeper on her desk remained silent, and no phone calls came through either. It was like everything went straight to his office. 

She watched as 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 twice as much as everything you earned? 

Sophia shuddered at the feeling. The silence was also starting to get 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.

Coming up with a plan, she picked up some files, stepped away from her desk, and then tripped on her feet.

Her yelp of pain had everyone getting up in alarm.

Tzuyu was the first to get to her before the others gathered around her. The quiet rule was all but forgotten. 

Sophia smirked inwardly.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay? Did you twist an ankle?" Tzuyu 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 muscles 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, her mouth opening to explain the situation but 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 so much," she moaned in pain, just to make sure the disbelief in his eyes faded to concern. It didn't.

Mark got up from his crouching position, taking out his phone. "Don't move, I'll call for an ambulance".

"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 would. His gaze was cold, disappointment rolling 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 and make a fool of yourself, okay," he said, pointing to the installed cameras.

Stupid, so freaking stupid. Of course, there were surveillance cameras. She glanced at the workers from the corners of her eyes, heart crawling up her face. Her hands squeezed behind her back.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lennox. It's just that everywhere was so quiet, and it was giving me a headache... But you're really so awesome Mr Lennox. 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. Sophia frowned then looked through the bill, her jaw dropping as she saw the amount written on it.

The others watched the unfolding drama, not understanding, yet not daring to go back to their desk without his permission.

"What's this for! Are you giving me a fine for breaking the rules, but even if you are, forty thousand dollars? That's ridiculous!" She almost waved it in his face, but stopped herself in time.

"That" he paused, his eyes boring into hers. "Is for trashing 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 clicked.

"That's outrageous. There's no way that little dent amounted to this much!" She cursed 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, then faced the rest of the workers. "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 sparing her a backward glance.

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