#173 “Evelyn? Where’s Sophia?”


    The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as Sophia


    stirred from her slumber. Stretching luxuriously, she felt remarkably rested despite the events of the


    previous day. With a contented sigh, she rose from the bed and began to ready herself for the day


    ahead.


    After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Sophia made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where


    Benjamin was already preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling


    with the scent of sizzling bacon and eggs.


    “Morning, Sophia,” Benjamin greeted her with a smile as she entered the room. “I hope you slept well.”


    “Like a baby,” Sophia replied, returning his smile as she took a seat at the table. “And breakfast smells


    amazing.”


    As they enjoyed their meal together, Sophia couldn’t shake the excitement bubbling within her. She


    was eager to share her theory about the watch with Benjamin, knowing that he would appreciate her


    detective work.


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    “Benjamin, I’ve been thinking,” she began, her voice tinged with excitement. “What if the key to the safe


    is somehow connected to my grandfather’s watch?”


    Benjamin’s eyes lit up with interest as Sophia exined her theory, nodding along as she spoke.


    “That’s a brilliant idea, Sophia. Your grandfather was a clever man, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he left


    a clue like that behind.”


    Encouraged by Benjamin’s enthusiasm, Sophia decided to take action. “I need to call Alexander and


    ask him to check the watch box in my apartment. Do you mind?”


    But before she could reach for his phone, Benjamin intervened. “Actually, Sophia, I think we should call


    Evelyn instead.”


    Sophia frowned, puzzled by Benjamin’s suggestion. “Evelyn? Why?”


    “I just think she might be able to help us more effectively,” Benjamin exined, though his tone was


    evasive.


    Before Sophia could protest, Benjamin had already taken his phone from Sophia’s hands and dialed


    Evelyn’s number. As the phone rang, Sophia watched with a sense of unease, unsure of what to


    expect.


    “Evelyn, it’s Benjamin,” Benjamin said when Evelyn picked up. “We need your help with something.”


    Sophia listened intently as Benjamin exined the situation to Evelyn. When it was her turn to speak,


    Sophia took the phone from Benjamin and addressed Evelyn directly.


    “Evelyn, I need you to go to my apartment and check the watch box my grandfather gave me,” Sophia


    said. “I think there might be a clue inside that could help us unlock the safe.”


    Evelyn promised to do as Sophia asked, assuring her that she would keep her updated on any


    developments. With a sense of relief, Sophia thanked Evelyn and ended the call, feeling hopeful that


    they were one step closer to unraveling the mystery of her grandfather’s secrets.


    *


    The morning sun struggled to prate the heavy curtains of Alexander’s apartment, casting a somber


    pallor over the room as he sat at his desk, hunched over hisptop. His usually tidy workspace was


    cluttered with scattered papers and half -empty coffee mugs, a reflection of his restless state of mind.


    He hadn’t slept a wink all night, his thoughts consumed by the unresolved tension between him and


    Sophia. Despite their argument, he had hoped that they had made amends, but her continued silence


    only served to deepen his frustration and confusion.


    Refusing to face the outside world today, Alexander had resolved to work from home, hoping to bury


    himself in his tasks and distract himself from the gnawing ache in his heart. But try as he might, he


    couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered like a shadow over him.


    His eyes constantly wandered to the window, where he could see the building next door, Sophia’s


    apartment. It had be a habit for him to steal nces in that direction, a silent longing stirring within


    him whenever he caught sight of her window.


    But today was different. Today, he noticed that the lights were on in Sophia’s apartment, a stark


    contrast to the darkened windows he had grown ustomed to. His heart skipped a beat as a surge of


    hope coursed through him. Had Sophia returned from her journey?


    Without a second thought, Alexander closed hisptop with a resounding thud and rose from his seat,


    a sense of urgency propelling him forward. He didn’t bother to grab his jacket or keys, his only focus on


    reaching Sophia’s apartment as quickly as possible.


    The distance between their apartments seemed to shrink as Alexander broke into a run, his heart


    pounding in his chest with each step.


    Breathless and heart-pounding, Alexander reached Sophia’s door and knocked urgently, his mind


    racing with a thousand questions and fears. But when the door swung open, it wasn’t Sophia who


    greeted him, but Evelyn.


    Surprised and confused, Alexander’s initial rush of adrenaline gave way to a sinking feeling of


    disappointment. ” Evelyn? Where’s Sophia?” he asked.