#68 “You Look Absolutely Stunning Tonight.”
The early morning light filtered through the curtains as Sophia groggily navigated her way to the kitchen. Despite her accomplishments as a lawyer, there was one thing she couldn’t quite master – getting up early. She had known since her school days that she was a night owl, and no matter how hard she tried, waking up early remained a daily struggle.
Her demanding job required it, and it wasn’t getting any easier. She sighed and rubbed her eyes as she prepared her morning coffee, the aromatic brew gradually pulling her into a state of alertness. Just as she was beginning to feel more awake, her phone rang, startling her.
Sophia glanced at the screen and saw that it was Evelyn calling. Evelyn was the polar opposite when it came to morning routines – she was up and full of energy by the crack of dawn.
“Good morning,” Evelyn’s cheerful voice greeted Sophia as she answered the call. Sophia, still in the process of waking up, replied with a hint of amusement, What’s so important that it can’t wait for me to finish my coffee?”
Evelyn’s enthusiasm was undeterred. ” Oh, come on, you know I can’t contain my excitement for the concert. Let’s both get ready together.”
Sophia sighed, feeling the weight of the early hour. “Honey, I’m still half- asleep, it’s too early, the concert isn’t until tonight, and I have work to tackle before that,” she explained.
Evelyn playfully persisted, “Alright, I get it, but you should know you’re missing out on the best makeup session by resisting my offer.”
Sophia couldn’t help but chuckle at her friend’s antics. Evelyn was truly a makeup artist extraordinaire.
“I’ll take my chances,” Sophia replied with a hint of humor. “Now, I need to get to work. I’ll talk to you later.”
“See you tonight,” Evelyn chimed in before ending the call. Sophia realized that reviewing the invitation for the concert was a good idea, especially considering that it was starting early in the evening. She knew that she wouldn’t have enough time to commute to work and return in time to get ready for the event. And after the excitement of the previous day, she definitely didn’t want to miss a single moment of the concert.
With a determined nod, Sophia made the decision to work from home that day. It would give her the flexibility she needed to manage her work commitments and still have ample time to prepare and attend the concert later in the evening.
As she settled into her home office setup, her phone rang again, causing her to grumble in frustration. “What’s with all this early morning calling?” she muttered to herself, setting her coffee aside and getting up from the couch to retrieve her phone.
Sophia glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Benjamin. She answered the call and was greeted by his voice on the other end.
“Good morning, Sophia,” Benjamin greeted her politely. “I wanted to let you know that I received an invitation to the concert as well. Would you like to go together?”
Sophia hesitated for a moment, her thoughts racing. She had already made plans for the evening and wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea to change them now. Finally, she replied, “Thank you, Benjamin, but I already have plans for the concert.”
Benjamin sounded understanding as he responded, “I see. Well, I hope you have a wonderful time, Sophia. Perhaps we can catch up another time.”
“Yes, definitely. We will meet there. Have a great day, Benjamin.”
With that, they exchanged polite goodbyes, and Sophia returned to her work, her mind now focused on the tasks at hand and the upcoming concert that she was eagerly anticipating.
With the morning still stretching ahead of her, Sophia settled back into her study, her focus zeroing in on the materials related to Megan’s Enlighten Press. It was clear to her that this venture held a level of significance she hadn’t initially realized, and she needed to unearth every detail that might aid her in her quest.
As she delved deeper into her research, a complex web of information began to unravel before her eyes.” The company’s financial records appeared sound, with no glaring risks or issues that could be exploited.
What’s more, Enlighten Press seemed to enjoy the formidable backing of Horizon Media Holdings. This support created a formidable shield around the company, making it challenging for Sophia to take any decisive action, even if she were to release the information she had gathered thus far.
Sophia knew that she needed to find a chink in the armor, a fatal weakness that would enable her to carry out her plan. It was clear that she couldn’t act recklessly; she needed to be strategic and patient. To achieve her goal, she had no choice but to continue her interactions with Megan, gathering more information and probing deeper into the company’s inner workings.
Sophia knew that she had to tread carefully, always vigilant for any opportunity or vulnerability she could exploit. It was a high-stakes game, she was determined to play it to the and best of her abilities. The battle against Enlighten Press was far from over, and Sophia was ready to continue the fight.
Sophia, buried in the documents, did not realize when the day began to wane. She looked at her watch and realized it was about time to start getting ready.
As the afternoon sun bathed her apartment in a warm, golden glow, Sophia put the finishing touches on her makeup, expertly accentuating her features. Her eyes were adorned with a subtle smoky eye, enhancing their natural depth and mystery.
She had chosen a soft, rosy blush that delicately kissed her cheeks, adding a touch of youthful vitality to her look. Her lips were painted with a shade of red that matched the dress she had picked out earlier, giving her a timeless elegance that turned heads.
Sophia’s hair was swept up into an intricate updo, with a few loose tendrils framing her face in a way that appeared effortlessly elegant. The overall effect was captivating – – a harmonious blend of classic beauty and modern charm.
As she admired herself in the mirror, the soft chime of her phone interrupted her reverie. She picked it up to read a message from Oliver, her anticipation giving way to a slight disappointment. It seemed that Oliver, despite his musical genius, had succumbed to one of his biggest flaws once again his chronic tardiness.
With a resigned sigh, Sophia read the message. Oliver had encountered an unexpected delay on his way to pick her up, which meant he wouldn’t be able to accompany her to the concert as planned. Instead, someone else would be coming to pick her up. It was a scenario she was all too familiar with when dealing with her talented but time -challenged friend.
Sophia couldn’t help but shake her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. She had grown accustomed to Oliver’s quirks.
Sophia descended the steps of her apartment building, the soft rustle of her elegant dress making her feel like she was floating on air. Her steps were confident, and her demeanor exuded a quiet self-assuredness that drew the attention of passersby. She was ready for an evening of music and sophistication.
Sophia decided it was time to go downstairs so as not to keep the person who was supposed to take her to the concert waiting. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her gaze fell upon a familiar figure waiting near a sleek black car. It was Alexander.
Sophia blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by his presence. She hadn’t expected to see him here, and her puzzled expression was evident.
Alexander, dressed in a tailored suit that oozed sophistication, turned towards her with a warm and genuine smile. His eyes widened in appreciation as he took in Sophia’s breathtaking appearance.
“Wow, Sophia,” he exclaimed, his voice laced with genuine admiration. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.”
“Ah, thanks,” she replied confusedly. ” What are you doing here?”
Seeing Sophia’s puzzled expression, Alexander realized he needed to explain his unexpected presence. He cleared his throat and spoke with an apologetic tone. “I must apologize for the surprise, Sophia. Oliver, our musician for the evening, encountered some unexpected circumstances, and I was asked to step in and ensure you reached the venue safely. It’s my responsibility as the organizer of the concert.”
Sophia nodded. Of course, Alexander would be here; no matter how hard she tried to avoid him, he kept showing up. However, she couldn’t deny that he looked great tonight too.
Her eyes stayed on him a moment longer than she intended, but there was something about him that she couldn’t resist. He had worn suits before, but this one was different – all black, even the shirt, but it fit him beautifully. It accentuated his muscles perfectly.
“Good, let’s go then,” she said, her voice catching slightly as she realized there was no way to escape.
He smiled at her and opened the car door for her to enter.
