Chapter 53


    #53 “One Date, and Nothing More.”


    Sophia, sitting behind her desk, was surprised by Michael’s direct question about her divorce with


    Alexander. She wondered where he could have obtained this information, as it seemed thattely, there


    was a growing interest in her past rtionship.


    “Yes,” she replied calmly, not one to hide the truth about her failed marriage. However, the curiosity of


    those around her regarding her history with Alexander left her somewhat perplexed.


    Michael settled into the chair across from her desk. “If it’s not too cheeky of me to ask,” he began, “why


    did you two break up?”


    Sophia leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. “He had so many women around him,” she


    exined with a hint of resignation.”


    He was too busy with them to care about me.” Michael raised an eyebrow, his perspective on the


    situation slowly evolving. “You know,” he said slowly, from what I’ve seen, Alexander actually likes you.


    If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t go to such lengths to keep me away from you, even trying to take away


    my business.”


    Sophia sighed. “We were married for three years and never even met,” she admitted. “In the beginning,


    he didn’t even know who I was. It was onlyter, when he became interested in me.


    Michael absorbed this revtion, a sense of rity beginning to emerge. So, he didn’t even know who


    you were at the start of your marriage,” he mused.


    “Exactly, but it’s toote now,” Sophia replied, her tone tinged with a sense of finality.


    “I can’t believe Alexander treated you. like that,” Michael expressed. Sophia’s response was tinged with


    at sense of indifference as she replied, “It was his choice.”


    Michael couldn’t help but smile slightly at her response. He found it intriguing how their conversation


    had taken this turn, and he couldn’t deny that he relished Alexander’s apparent failures.


    “And you decided to end your rtionship?” Michael inquired further, probing for more details. “He


    decided to divorce me,” Sophia rified matter-of-factly.


    Michael couldn’t contain hisughter, finding the irony of the situation rather amusing. He imagined


    Alexander’s face when he realized that his ex-wife was, in fact, the gorgeous Sophia Johnson.


    “Alexander always made stupid mistakes. But this is probably his biggest,” Michaelmented.


    “It’s all in the past now,” Sophia replied. Michael, however, seemed to find amusement in the situation.


    “I’m sure he’s pulling his hair out of anger right now, ,” he remarked, chuckling. “But I have no doubt


    that he’s eager to have you back.”


    Sophia sensed that Michael was treading on a sensitive subject, one she wasn’t inclined to discuss at


    length. So, she decided to shift the conversation’s focus.


    She couldn’t help but wonder why Michael was so intrigued by her past with Alexander and she


    decided to address his curiosity directly. “Why are you so intrigued, Michael?”


    Michael leaned in slightly, his charming smile never leaving his face.” Well,” he began, his voice low


    and conspiratorial, “let’s just say you’re not indifferent to me, dear Sophia. In fact, I’d suggest going on


    a date, not only because you’re gorgeous, but also because I’m guessing you wouldn’t mind if we


    pissed Alexander off a little.”


    Sophia shook her head. “I understand that you two have some drama,” she began, “but it’s one thing to


    make Alexander angry, it’s quite another to go out on a date, Michael.”


    Michael’s smile remained undeterred.” Oh,e on,” he teased. “It’ll be fun.”


    Sophia, however, was resolute. “Don’t involve me in your war with Alexander, Michael,” she stated


    firmly. “I also have no intention ofmitting to anyone soon.”


    Michael chuckled, taking her response in stride. “No one says we have to start anything serious. Let’s


    try it and see where it takes us,” he suggested with a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    “Michael, I don’t think that…”


    As Sophia began to voice her hesitation, Michael abruptly got up from his chair and perched himself on


    the desk in front of her, effectively closing the distance between them.


    “I don’t want you to think, I want you to go with the flow and see whates out, Sophy,” he said with a


    certain assertiveness. Sophia didn’t have a chance to respond before he pressed further.


    “You don’t still have feelings for your ex, do you?” Michael inquired, not one to back down easily.


    Sophia quickly rified, “No, it’s not that.”


    Michael continued to probe. “So, you don’t think I’m right for you?”


    Sophia couldn’t help but chuckle at his straightforwardness. “God, you should have be awyer,”


    she teased, ” you sure know how to put pressure on someone.”


    Michael, undeterred, responded with a smug smile. “If you go out on a date with me, I’d apply it to you,


    but you’ll surely like it this time.”


    Sophia found herself in an unusual position, not ustomed to someone being so upfront with her.


    Just as she was about to object once more, Michael reached out and added anotheryer to their


    agreement.


    “And you also owe me a date for the help I gave you against Emily,” he reminded her, his tone yful.


    Sophia recalled the promise she had made and relented. “Fine, one date, and nothing more,” she


    conceded.


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    Michael, pleased with the oue, responded with a sly grin. “We’ll see. Maybe you will want a


    second one.”


    Sophia rolled her eyes at him. Michael smoothly transitioned to a more professional topic, clearly


    satisfied that he had sessfully persuaded Sophia to agree to a date.


    “Speaking of Emily,” he began, “will you participate in the William’s family asset auction?” Sophia


    considered the question for a moment before responding, “No, I won’t be participating.”


    Michael nodded in acknowledgment, and then he posed another question, What about helping me with


    themission to review the rted materials? As you know their business is not the cleanest in the


    world and legal issues can arise. I wish I had a strong ally like you to help me with them.”


    Sophia, however, politely declined once again. “I appreciate the offer, Michael, but I’ve already


    committed to helping a friend with the same request.”


    Michael epted her decision with grace. “Understood. Well, in that case, I’ll handle it from here. See


    you at the auction, Sophia.”


    Sophia watched as Michael exited her office with a simple yet confident deration. “I’m looking


    forward to our date,” he said.


    Alone in her office once more, Sophia leaned back in her chair and covered her face with her hands,


    feeling the weight of the various challenges andplications in her life pressing down on her like a


    relentless roller coaster ride. She let out a deep sigh, her mind racing with thoughts of the tasks and


    responsibilities ahead.


    There was assisting Benjamin with the uing auction, being a pir of support for Evelyn in her


    time of need, addressing the scandal caused by Enlighten Press, honoring hermitment to go on a


    date with Michael, and a plethora of other duties demanding her attention in her professional life.


    As she contemted the whirlwind of responsibilities thaty ahead, Sophia couldn’t help but fantasize


    about a well -deserved vacation.