Sophia Parker

One whole month has passed now and I've worked with Sean everyday since then.

I found him to be an amazing guy and I am now very fond of him. He has a strong personality and always makes me laugh and smile. I began to really like him... a lot. I looked forward to his company and I enjoyed working closely with him all the time. He always took me out for lunch and paid the bill each time. It was a sweet gesture but sometimes the feminist in me made me ensure that we split the bill. Sometimes he insisted, while other times he let it slide.

I discovered a lot of things about him during the small time we've worked together. Sean is actually from a rich family and doesn't need to work the way he does. But he tries to live his life as simple as possible. Plus he enjoys banking and accounting, thats why he decided to go into it. He also lives in a condo in a very fine part of the city. I have been to his home once and it was very beautiful.

Sean, being a gentleman that he is, decided to take me out for dinner this time. We always have lunch together but he wanted something new and different. Besides I owe him a date, the time when we were supposed to but couldn't go to the theatre together.

Right now I am getting ready for the evening and Lily is helping me curl my hair in my apartment. She thinks I like Sean and maybe she is right. I do like him, he seems like a very nice person. He is respectful... and also attractive.

"I still can't believe you're going on a date with Sean. I mean, Adam was just in the picture." Lily commented.

"Well, clearly he has moved on and I also need to." He's probably having the time of his life wherever he is, not bothering to even call... or email me.

"So your using Sean to get over Adam?"

"I'm not using him Lily! I actually like him." I really did.

"Okay, okay! Do you want me to style your hair up or I should just leave it down?"

"I think I should leave it down. It looks pretty like this." I checked myself out in the mirror.

"Okay, you're ready." She said and I stood up. "You look amazing."

"Thank you."

I was wearing a simple white one shoulder body con dress with lace up heels. I wasn't too overdressed but Sean said he would be taking me to a really nice place this evening so I had to look decent.

"Are you sure you don't want to wear makeup?" Lily asked.

"No, I'm fine without it. That's what you said, right?"

"Yeah. Totally. You look..."

"What?"

"You look... pure."

"Pure? Is that a bad thing?"

"No, no, no... I mean like in an angel kind of way."

"What are you even saying Lily?" I cried.

She got saved by a knock on the door.

"Okay. He's here, let's go."

"Are you sure I look fine?" I asked one last time as she dragged me to the door.

"Sophia, I am certain you look beautiful."

"Okay."

Lily opened the door with a huge smile on her face.

"Hi, you must be Sean. Sophia is ready."

Sean stood there, his eyes transfixed on me, never glancing at Lily even once. His eyes were wider than usual as he scanned me from head to toe.

"Hey Sean." I smiled.

"Wow, you look gorgeous." He said.

"You too." We both looked at each other. He was wearing a black tux with no tie. He looked handsome.

"I'm Lily by the way, Sophia's friend."

"Hi Lily, how are you." Sean said politely. It was like he just noticed her for the first time.

"I'm good thanks. Here's you purse Sophia." She handed it to me, more like shoved it into my hands, and then she pushed me out the door. "Enjoy your evening!" She grinned and shut the door behind us. Sean just laughed, choosing to ignore her weirdness.

"Shall we?" He extended his hand to me.

"Yes." I took his hand. I tried not to show any emotion but deep down I was excited.

He drove us to a place called Nerai. It was a nice restaurant on the 54th Street. Beautiful place, sophisticated Greek dining in the heart of the city.

"I've never had Greek before." I told him when we had sad down comfortably. Our seat was by the window at a corner. "Would you order for me?"

"Of course, do you like lobster?" He asked with a smile.

"In fact I do."

"Me too. I'm having a lobster cocktail. I'll get you the same." He signalled for a waiter and placed our orders instantly.

"So tell me, why have you chosen this sort of lifestyle?" I asked him.

"What do you mean? Is there anything wrong with my lifestyle?" He asked confusedly.

"Oh no! Not at all. It's just that... you're from a rich home and you don't need to be working 8-7 everyday like us in working-class."

"I enjoy what I am doing Sophia." He said with a slight smile.

"I know, you've told me that before. But why work under someone else when you can easily setup your own business?"

He took a deep breath.

"I don't know Sophia. Maybe it's because I don't need to setup my own business. We own enough businesses in my family already. I've always had everything I wanted in my life. I still do. But I choose the other side of life."

It all made sense. Sean wanted to live a simple life, which is very humble of him. He wanted to make money the hard way, not just have everything at the tip of his fingers... even though he already does.

"Are you the oldest?"

"No, and I'm thankful for that. I have two older brothers, and a younger sister."

"Why are you thankful?"

"Because I don't get left with the responsibility of taking over everything, if you know what I mean. My brother, Andrew is basically like the next heir. We all get a percentage and some inheritance but he'll make all the big decisions." He paused for a while. "I know it sounds like I don't like big things but I just prefer to be happy doing what I want to do. Not being dumped with a lot of responsibility on my shoulders."

I totally understood where he was coming from. I couldn't say he was not ambitious because he already has everything he wants and would ever need. He just wants a modest lifestyle.

We ate our delicious lobster and we kept on talking about many things. He told me more about his family and I told him about mine. He shared funny stories about himself, I didn't think he was that interesting but he was!

"I don't understand you Sean! Any normal guy would love the fact that they easily get the attention of women, without trying!"

Sean had previously told me about the women at the places he used to work before, how that were always after him and getting him into trouble.

"Well... it is satisfying to know that, but I'll never take advantage of women because of my looks... or whatever."

"Not just your looks, your personality." I added.

"Yeah..." He brushed off my comments.

"Well I don't blame them. You're a catch, you know that right?" I flirted with him a little bit.

"Lets have some dessert wine shall we?" He awkwardly changed the subject. I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

We had wine at the end of our meal and continued our talk but this time I didn't bring up the 'women' issue.

"So how do you know Mr Wilson?" I asked.

"We were friends back in college."

"Really?" My eyes widened. "You both went to the same college?"

"Yeah."

"Isn't it awkward you know... working under him?"

I remember looking through Sean's resume when he applied for his job and I recommended him to Mr Wilson. He laughed and hired him instantly even without an interview which at that point I thought was weird. It all made sense now. Sean was just trying to be formal.

"Not really, he respects me and I respect him too."

Now that I think of it, they both look the same age. And Mr Wilson never treated Sean like an employee, he gave him his space and they related oddly well sometimes. Sean was just a friend he could trust to help lead a department in his business. The only time I ever saw him angry at Sean was the first time he wanted to take me on a date.

I was studying Sean for a moment, just looking at his handsome features when I noticed his eyes widen. He was looking at something above me.

"Speaking of whom..." He drifted off.

"What?" I asked him.

"Sean." A loud booming voice I knew all too well came from behind me. I just froze in my seat, not bothering to look back.

"Adam. Great to see you." Sean said without humor. He sat up in his chair a bit. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just passing by and I saw both of you through the window. I would like to have a word with you." He said dangerously.

"Ok sure." Sean looked at me.

I was still as a frozen fish but my heart was leaping. I could feel his presence right behind me but I couldn't look back... or even move.

"I'll be back Sophia." Sean assured me.

I couldn't even nod my head, I just gave him a look that I understood him.

He stood up and followed Mr Wilson and I was left alone. I could finally breathe properly now that he wasn't hovering on top of me. When I finally looked back, I didn't see any of them.

Where did they go?

I sat impatiently, waiting for Sean to come back. What was he talking about with Mr Wilson? And why didn't Mr Wilson want to talk with me too?

I rolled my eyes at myself. Why would he want to talk to me when he didn't even acknowledge the fact that I existed!

Well, he did say he was passing by and he saw 'both' of us through the window. That's the most recognition of me I've had from in ages.

Not too long after, Sean came back into the restaurant without Mr Wilson. He sat down opposite me as if nothing just happened.

Well, to him it's nothing.

"What happened, where is he?" I couldn't stop myself from asking because I was curious.

"He left." My heart fell.

Just like that?!

"Okay... did he tell you anything to tell me?" I asked hopefully.

"No, we didn't really talk. He just asked me what we were doing. He seemed upset... angry even."

Why is he angry though??

"I didn't know he was back in New York." I said.

"Me neither. I think he has a problem with us going out together."

"That's absurd!"

"I'm serious Sophia. Remember the first time I tried to take you out?" He asked but I didn't say anything. "I think we should go." He downed his glass.

"What? No! We can't let Mr Wilson ruin our evening."

"He's not ruining anything Sophia. We're done eating, and it's getting late. It's already 10."

"I thought we could still spend a little more time together."

"We will Sophia." He smiled at me. "Tomorrow at work maybe?"

"Noooo." I whined. "At work we'll be working, we wouldn't have time for each other like now."

"Don't worry, I'll make it happen."

He paid for the bill and drove me home. I was sad that we had to call it quits. I didn't want the date to end just yet because I was really having a good time.

"I had a beautiful evening, with a beautiful lady." He said.

"Thanks." I blushed. "Guess whose birthday it is on Sunday."

"Beautiful lady's birthday is on Sunday?"

"Yes." I laughed. He sounded amused, maybe he was a birthday person.

"How are you spending it?"

"I don't know yet. Do you have any plans on Sunday?"

"No, none at all. I can plan something for you." He smiled.

"Yeah? What?"

"It'll be a surprise." He said and I groaned. He definitely was a birthday person.

"Okay. I'll wait."

He pulled up in front of my apartment building.

"I'll see you tomorrow Sophia."

"You too." I said. I waited for a few seconds before I stepped out of his car.

I waved at him and finally he drove when he saw that I had safely entered my building.

***

-The next day-

"Phoebe! Wait up!" I called after her.

I was getting down from my taxi while she was just about to enter the building. It's a good thing we both arrived at work at the same time because I've been meaning to talk to her.

"Hey Sophia, how are you?"

"Great. Great. Uh... I haven't seen you since the sleepover."

"Yeah, you're always busy at work." She sneered.

"What?"

"You close really late these days. And I always see you with Sean Edmund, what's that about?" We both walked into the building.

"Nothing. Mr Wilson hasn't been around so I'm helping him instead... for now." I explained.

"Okay. But Lily told me you guys went out last night. On a date." Phoebe accused.

"It was the first time, and I was going to tell you about it."

"No, no, no. It's not about you not telling me about it. I thought you were into your boss?"

"Oh my gosh! Phoebe don't say it like that!"

"Like how? The way it is?"

Thank heavens we were already in the elevator and nobody could hear our conversation. I could feel the heat on my face from blushing.

"What exactly are you up to Sophia?"

"My birthday is coming up soon Lily. I just wanted to remind you." I changed the subject entirely.

"Oh, don't worry. You don't need to remind me. I know."

The elevator opened up to the 3rd floor, where Phoebe is stationed. I was going to the 4th floor to see Sean.

"Come to mine today. We'll go home together?" I offered. She just nodded and left, I wasn't sure if that was a yes.

I took a deep breath. How I managed to avoid her question, I didn't know. But I'm glad I did because I honestly don't know what I'm up to. I still feel for Mr Wilson... a lot.

No matter how hard I try to fight it, it just doesn't go away that easily. Every night, before I go to bed I always wonder what he is doing, who he's with or if he's even thinking about me. I even considered emailing him because lately that's the only way anybody could reach him, but I never know what to say to him.

But there's Sean who is a genuine nice guy. At least he gives me attention and acknowledges my existence. He seems perfect and ideal but so far I don't think he's interested in me that way. Not yet.

I got to the 4th floor and went into his office.

"Hey." I smiled at him. He always comes in before me. "Good morning."

"Good morning Sophia." He smiled back.

"Sleep well?" I asked as I made my way to my workstation beside his.

"Yes I did. Have you been to your floor today?"

"No I haven't. Why?"

"Oh, I just thought maybe since Adam is now in town, he'll come to work today."

"He didn't."

"How do you know?" He laughed at my forwardness.

"Because... I checked the parking lot before I came in. His car is not there. Have you gotten any report from Spencer Hyde?" I changed the topic. Talking about him made me feel some type of way.

"Uh... In fact I have. Thank you for reminding me. I wanted you to help me with something today." He shuffled some papers on his desk.

"Ok, what's that?"

"I need 24 copies of this document." He handed it to me.

"Sean! What the hell! This is like a hundred pages! And you want me to make 24 of these?!"

"They're not a hundred, they're just 43. I thought you said you wanted to help me but don't worry. You don't have to."

Now I felt bad for complaining.

"Ok. Ok. I'll do it. Just teach me how to use the copier."

He gave me a look as if to say he won. The things he makes me do, sometimes I wonder why I'm still helping him.

"So... how are your plans for my birthday? Better still, what are they?" I asked. We both made our way towards his copier.

"I can tell you that they are almost done but I can't tell you what they are." He smiled back at me. "Put the paper in here and press this button to copy it."

"Okay." He left me to do the work and I copied the documents. Doing the same thing repeatedly made me feel a bit dizzy. I decided to think instead.

I remember my last birthday when I turned 22. It was one of the best ones I've had so far, thanks to Mr Wilson. He took me to the Sugar Factory and gave me two tickets to the Empire State Building. Unfortunately he couldn't go with me so I took Phoebe instead. I had such an amazing time all because of him. This year I'll be spending my birthday without him and the thought made me sad.

Time passed and I looked back at Sean, only to find him staring at me.

What was he looking at?

I gave him a small smile and went back to my work.

I continued to do the repetitive action at the same time still thinking about Mr Wilson and all the nice things he has done for me. I could feel myself getting light-headed so I paused for a minute. I felt like I was going to collapse.

"Are you okay?" Sean was right behind me now. I turned around and faced him with a fake smile on my face.

"I'm fine." I said but I didn't sound convincing to him. To make things worse a sharp pain shot through my head, making me stumble a bit.

Sean held me immediately so I don't fall.

"Are you sure?" He pressed. I put my hand on my head.

"Yeah." I lied.

Truth is, I wasn't okay. I was missing Mr Wilson terribly. Since he left, there has been a constant ache in my heart which I cannot ignore anymore. I tried not to let his absence affect me but he still haunts me in my mind, in my dreams, all the time! There is no true escape.

"Tell me what's wrong Sophia. I know you're not fine." He held my face up to look at him. We were way too close for comfort but it's Sean and I trust him.

"Sean I promise, I'm fine. It's just the work that's making me dizzy that's all."

"Okay. Then stop. Don't do it anymore."

"I can handle it. Don't worry."

"No. I don't want you to do it anymore. I made a mistake giving it to you in the first place."

"Ok, if you say so." I tried to smile.

He was looking at me intensely which made me feel uneasy.

"Sean?" I said in a warning tone.

Why was he looking at me like he wanted to kiss me?

He startled me when he held onto me and pulled me a bit closer to him. We were in a very intimate position and my heart was racing. I knew what he was about to do...

And I let it him do it.

He kissed me gently and I closed my eyes. It was... good. I liked it and I let it happen. It felt nice but when I thought about Mr Wilson, I suddenly felt guilty. I broke it off immediately, pushing him away slightly.

I let the kiss happen but now I wish I didn't. Sean noticing my rejection, let go of me.

I know I told Lily that I liked Sean but I wasn't actually sure if I wanted to get involved with him. I never expected him to even make a move on me.

"I'm so sorry if you didn't want that Sophia." He apologized. "But I had to do it, it's all I've wanted for the past week."

For the past week???

I didn't know what to say. I just stared at him incredulously. If Sean was interested in me all this time then he hid it well. I had absolutely no clue.

"Sophia please. Say something." It was like we were having a staring contest.

I tried to but I couldn't. I just shook my head in confusion and turned away. I grabbed my bag from my table.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm so sorry Sean. I'm not sure if I can do this."

"Why not? Please stay, let's talk about this." He pleaded.

"I can't. I have to go."

He looked disappointed for a second but he left me and allowed me to leave his office.