Betrayal is not Defeat

Chapter 5

I turned the bracelet around my wrist, and watched how it sparkled in the light. It was simple, but beautiful. This was the third gift I received this week. No one has ever given me a lot of gifts this way.

The first was a gold necklace. Then, a gold anklet that fit perfectly on me. Now, this.

I placed the bracelet down carefully and stared at it. My eyes stayed on it a little longer before I headed for the meeting room.

Soon I walked into the meeting room. Alexander was already there. He stood with his arms crossed, looking toward the window. As soon as I stepped in, he turned his head. His eyes met mine and didn’t move away.

I looked down quickly and walked to my seat. But I had a feeling that his eyes were still on me.

It was like there was something, something I didn’t understand yet but could feel every time we were close.

Alexander had started paying more attention to me. Not just as my boss, but as a person. He asked me for my ideas during meetings. He made small jokes that only I understood. His eyes stayed on me a little longer than they should have.

And he even started protecting me especially when clients came in and didn’t take me seriously.

“You will bring the company down with your decisions.”

“I can't believe you work here.”

“You lack the intelligence for the fashion world.”

They acted like I didn’t belong in the fashion world. But Alexander always stepped in. He didn’t yell or make a scene.

He simply said, “I trust Sophie’s judgment. Therefore, her decision stands.”

That was it. His voice was calm, but strong. It was enough to silence anyone.

Those words… they meant so much to me.

With every kind thing he did, my heart opened a little more and more.

But I was still afraid, because when bitten once, you would be shy twice.

‘We can't work Sophie, I need a divorce.’

I couldn’t forget Ethan's merciless words as I remembered them. He used to be sweet, caring, and made me feel special. But later on in life, he changed. He left me for dead. And ever since then, I have built a wall around my heart.

So I tried to keep things professional with Alexander. But my God, Alexander didn’t give up.

That afternoon, after the long meeting where no one could agree on anything, I stayed behind to clean up. Papers were all over the table, and I was tired.

“You always stay behind,” a deep voice said.

I tried to see who it was as I turned, then I saw Alexander standing by the door. He was not on his suit, and his sleeves were rolled up.

“I guess I am used to cleaning up after chaos,” My smile was looking tired as I said.

He walked into the room slowly and came to stand beside me.

“You shouldn’t have to do that alone,” he said quietly. “Chaos is sometimes part of the process. But you really don't need to carry it by yourself.”

His words hit me deep. He wasn’t just talking about the room.

As I reached for another paper on the floor, his hand gently stopped mine. I looked up.

Our eyes met.

The room felt still.

His hand held mine for a second longer than necessary.

Then… it just happened.

I don’t know if he leaned in first or if I did. But our lips met. The kiss wasn’t fast or wild. It was slow and honest. The kiss he gave me felt like he was asking me for a chance, for my trust.

And I did.

When we pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I will always be here for you, Sophie. You don’t have to run anymore,” he said.

I was speechless. All I did was to just close my eyes.

This was love, and for the first time in a long time, I felt loved and safe.

Later that day, I laughed more around him, not just as a boss, but as someone who cared. I let him see me when I was tired.

The walls around my heart had begun to break, and I did nothing about it because, with Alexander, I felt alive again.

He was willing to get closer to me the more, and I was so powerless to push him away.

But, as always, life had other plans.

When it was evening, some of my colleagues were already on their way home, but I was still in the office.

“Sophie, are you working late today?” a colleague of mine asked.

“Not really, I just want to finish this before I take my leave.”

I have been trying to sketch ideas for a new campaign. I actually wanted Alexander to see them before anyone else.

“Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow.” She said as she walked out of the office and headed home.

Soon, the office was quiet, and a few minutes later, I was done with the sketch.

The lights in the hallway were still bright as I walked to Alexander's office. When I got there, I made a soft knock repeatedly but there was no answer.

The door was not locked and I was not sure if he was in, so I opened it slowly.

“Alexander?” I said quietly.

He was not there. But his brown suit was hanging on the rack, so I figured he had just stepped out for a moment.

I walked in, holding my sketchpad close to my chest as I decided to wait for his arrival.

Then I heard someone in the restroom of his office saying, “Mr. Pedro, make sure you finalise the design during the next meeting…”

That was his voice, it sounded like he was on a call with Mr. Pedro because I saw Mr. Pedro left the company minutes ago.

“Bizzz! Bizz!”

Suddenly, my attention was interrupted by the buzzing sound of his second phone on the desk.

I promise, I didn’t plan to look because I didn’t want to.

But it happens that the screen lit up, and I saw the name. My heart stopped as I froze.

I stared at the name again, trying every means to doubt if he was the one calling. Then I forced myself to pick up the call to listen to the voice of who was calling.

And just as my trembling hand did. “How is it going brother…”

The voice broke me immediately, that was definitely his voice. I still didn't want to believe it but it was clear!

Ethan Carter was calling Alexander.