Sofia"We have to be careful. He might be armed," one of the officers cautioned the others, reminding everyone of the seriousness of the situation.Unaware of the shadow trailing him, David seemed to be searching for something in that abandoned place. Out of sight, we followed every move with bated breath, eager for any sign that Aaron and Laureen were nearby.Then, a murmur came over the police radio, indicating they had found something. The suspense heightened as we watched the team stealthily approach a rusty door. David, still lost in his thoughts, remained oblivious to the presence of the police.The door creaked open as the agents carefully opened it. The darkness inside swallowed their outlines, but their silhouettes moved with determination. A beam of light from a flashlight cut through the darkness, revealing a dirty and abandoned space."It looks like the scene of a kidnapping," one of the officers informed me."It does?" I asked, confused.Then the man's body camera reveale
I have my lips pressed together as I observe Laura's reaction. I've just told her what we've been through in the past few days. She's motionless, her breath held, her restless eyes scanning my face as if processing the information she just received. Then she gives me a brief but tight hug and goes to the baby carrier where Aaron is peacefully asleep, picking him up and cradling him lovingly against her chest. Her eyes are now closed, and I notice a shiver running through her. "By God, Sofia! Why didn't you call me?" Her voice is deep and trembling. "I had no idea what you were going through!""I was already so scared, knowing I was at risk, with my house taken over by a battalion of police. I was terrified at the thought that David might find out somehow, and then I would never see my son again!" I run my hand over Aaron's back, who remains asleep, oblivious to everything that has happened to him. "And, to be honest, I didn't even have the mental capacity to think about anything else,
Sofia"Good, but I have another reason for being here.""Tell me, because I'm dying to change the subject!" Laura declares, putting Aaron, still asleep, in the car seat and heading to the kitchen to get two glasses of iced tea. I follow her, leaning on the counter, as she serves us."I have a proposal for you."The girl furrows her brow and peeks at me."Proposal?""Yes. After everything that happened, I realized that my priorities were a mess! Especially after everything that happened at the restaurant. I owe a lot to my husband and son, and that needs to change.""And where do I fit into this story?"I smile, teasing, knowing that it annoys her because she's very anxious."Sofia!" she scolds, stomping her foot. "Spit it out, woman!"I laugh and speak up before the other person has a crisis in front of me."I would like you to be the manager of the restaurant.""Me?""Yes. You. My beautiful friend, whom I trust the most in this world and know will handle the job well.""But I know no
Meeting Aaron Reeves and Isabella FerraraIn this vibrant city, where the diverse aroma of kitchens fills the air, I, heir to the prestigious "Sabor de Sofia" restaurant chain, am constantly searching for new inspirations to maintain the exceptional culinary standard set by my mother. And then comes Isabella Ferrara, a talented and passionate chef known for her authentic and innovative restaurant called "Enchanted Gastronomy." I had heard of her before, but... damn! I had no idea she was so beautiful! Big, blue, speculative eyes. A mouth... I would pray to taste. Well-shaped, full, and in a heart shape. And the body. Oh, that body! She's not very tall, but she has curves that left me dizzy. Yes, she definitely shocked me with her appearance.Our paths crossed unexpectedly during a local culinary event, where we were invited to showcase our specialties. However, from the start, there was an antipathy between us, coming from her side. My familiarity with running a culinary empire clashe
Isabella Aaron's expression turns serious as he absorbs the impact of my words. The tension between us escalates, fueled by our mutual stubbornness. "You know, Isabella," he retorts, frustration tinting his voice, "you're quick to judge without really knowing me. But I won't waste my time trying to prove something to you." I scoff, feeling a wave of anger. "Prove something? Why should I care? You're just another arrogant, spoiled man who thinks he can have whatever he wants." His eyes narrow, a flash of pain crossing his face. "You think you have me all figured out, don't you? Well, let me tell you something. There's more to me than meets the eye. And maybe, just maybe, if you took the time to look beyond your preconceived notions, you'd see that." I shake my head, unable to let go of my resentment. "I highly doubt that, Aaron. Actions speak louder than words, and so far, all I've seen is a man who thrives on power and manipulation." He takes a step closer, his voice low and inten
SofiaEvery day is the same in this office for the three months I've been working here. The highlight for me is always when Brandon Reeves shows up. The boss always arrives punctually at 10 to 9, takes a brief look around at the employees, and then heads for his office. Is it crazy to imagine that his eyes linger on mine for a few seconds longer? This man has haunted my nights since I first saw him. In the office, he's impersonal, distant. But in my dreams… he's warm, passionate!The elevator arrives and wakes me from my reverie. It's him! I feel heated. I hope my face isn't flushed from the effect of my memories. And here he is! The impeccable, tailored gray three-piece suit, shaping a perfect body. The determined walk, the head held high, of someone who knows his place, his power. His suitcase in one hand, in front of the men jostling for his attention. His well-trimmed beard makes him look even more manly. Dark eyes and hair, always well combed. How many times have my fingers run
Sofia Unable to waste any more time on conjecture, I leave the bathroom and head for the President's office. I feel the curious stares of the other employees following my every step. So I keep my posture upright and concentrate on not overbalancing in my heels, which aren't even that high. The thing is, I suddenly seem to have forgotten how to walk like a normal person. I still feel a bit out of place. Even after three months in the job, I haven't managed to make a friend. Perhaps it's because of my reserved, slightly shy manner. I have a few friendly, attentive colleagues who help me with whatever I need in this period of adaptation, but that's about it. When I got to the President's office, I didn't know how my legs were still holding me up.“Miss Shaffer,” the secretary hastens to stand up and open the door for me, indicating that I should enter, “Mr. Reeves will be back soon to speak to you. Like a robot, I enter the sumptuous room, but I'm so nervous that I can't appreciate
SofiaIt must have been about five minutes since I found myself standing in front of the door to room 220, which actually turned out to be the penthouse of the building. I thought I might have made a mistake when I got here, when the elevator opened its doors and showed me a single corridor leading to a single door. But the numbers attached to that door leave no doubt. I swallow. I've been doing that a lot over the last few hours. Brandon Reeves had booked a penthouse just for one night with me? What am I doing? Perhaps the greatest folly of my life… I delude myself that I'm here to tell you some truths, that you can't buy me. But the mere idea of… having him touch my body, possessing me… It leaves me breathless! I've spent the day trying hard not to ponder his proposal. Yes, I'm almost panicking about my financial situation. However, going to bed with a man for money? That never crossed my mind! I snort out a laugh and reflect that, in fact, I never thought a man with money would