AFTER THIS NIGHT

Unexepeted

Sharon and Sean excused themselves and took their leave. Sophia watched them walk away, pretending to be relaxed, but deep down, it was a storm within her. She felt Akira's lingering gaze on her and was afraid to meet his azure eyes. When their eyes had met earlier, she had felt a shiver run through her body.

" Champagne?" Akira asked to break the silence.

" Yes, why not?" Sophia replied, thinking that the drink might help her relax. Akira smiled at her and took two glasses from the tray the waiter offered. He thanked the waiter and then handed a glass to Sophia.

" Thank you," she said, smiling as she touched her lips to the sparkling amber liquid. Akira watched her every move, noticing her stress.

" Akira Mora?" a female voice behind Sophia said. Surprise and curiosity briefly painted Sophia's face before indifference took over. But Akira's sharp eye didn't miss it.

" Yes! Good evening," he said to the young woman who walked up to him, positioning herself between Sophia and him.

" I am Aurelia Lamour, the new CEO of L&V Enterprises," she introduced herself.

" Lamour? That's French, isn't it?" Akira asked, curious.

" I admire your perspicacity. It is indeed," she replied in a charming voice.

" Thank you," he said, taking a sip of his flute.

" Do you have a moment?" she asked. "It won't take long. I'd like to present a project in broad strokes. Feel free to contact me to learn more," she continued, wanting no refusal. Feeling out of place, Sophia excused herself. Akira attempted to follow her, but Aurelia held him back.

" It won't take long. You can find her later. She'll understand, I'm sure. And besides, I doubt she'll fly away. Or will she?" she said, forcing Akira to stay with her.

Sophia headed towards the buffet, grabbing some appetizers. She then walked towards the gardens but was stopped by a rather charming, albeit older, man.

" I feel like I've met you before," the man said, making Sophia smile. She found his statement a bit silly, considering the masks making it challenging to identify anyone.

" Oh yeah?" she asked, a sarcastic smile on her lips while remaining polite.

" Yes. But I don't know where. Let me introduce myself. Carlos Lontes." At the mention of his name, Sophia immediately knew where he knew her from. He had a room at the hotel where she worked, bringing his mistress, according to her colleagues' gossip. He had crossed her path a few times in the hotel corridors.

" Delighted," she replied simply. Carlos understood that she preferred to keep her identity secret.

" Too bad, I can't seem to remember you. With your first name, maybe..." he began, hoping she'd play along.

" If tonight we're all masked, I think there's a reason behind it. The theme of the evening is 'incognito,' isn't it?" Sophia cut him off. A mischievous smile formed on Carlos Lontes' lips. She resisted him, and he liked that. Rarely had he encountered a woman with such spirit. She was fearless, and that pushed him to want to discover more about her but under different circumstances.

" You're right. I would have liked to know your name. But no matter. It shouldn't prevent us from having fun tonight," he said, his voice full of innuendo, before bringing his glass to his lips.

" It seems I'm having trouble understanding where you're going with this," Sophia said, pretending not to understand.

" Come on, don't act all saintly, sweetheart. I know very well that you understood me," he said, looking mischievous, bringing his glass to his lips once again.

" I prefer to consider that these last few seconds never existed," she said calmly, her voice tinted with discontent.

" What woman doesn't dream of a night in my arms? I'll even pay you if you want. And very generously," he said, pulling her closer so that her lips were close to Sophia's ears.

" For one, Mr. Lontes, I am not that kind of woman. And secondly, be glad that I'm not a daddy's girl. Even less a brat. Otherwise, you might say bye-bye to your marriage," she said with great calm.

" Are you threatening me?" he hissed between his teeth.

" Oh no! Of course not, Mr. Lontes. It's just a warning," Sophia replied calmly.

" I think you don't know who you're talking to, young lady," he said menacingly, still close to her. Sophia emitted a crystalline laugh that left her interlocutor perplexed.

" Carlos Lontes, one of the most handsome men of his generation. Charismatic and self-assured. You have all the women at your feet. Only, I am not all women. As I said earlier, I'm not that kind of woman. You won't have me, Mr. Lontes, and that annoys you, doesn't it?" she said, making Carlos furious. She was right. No woman resisted him, and he intended to make sure it stayed that way.

" And I forbid you to try anything, Mr. Lontes," she said, freeing herself from his grip.

" Otherwise, what?" he asked after a mocking laugh, his gaze amused.

" Carlos, Carlos, Carlos. You underestimate me," she laughed. "Tuesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. Hotel New Castel, room 352. Should I go on?"

" Who are you?" Carlos asked, stunned by what he had just heard. The New Castel was known for its discretion. Occupying one of the largest suites, he had the privilege of using the private parking. No one from the outside could know whether he was present in the hotel or not.

" No one, Mr. Lontes. I ask you not to think too much because you won't find out. I wish you an excellent evening. Excuse me," she said, cutting him off in his thoughts before walking away.

Akira, who watched the scene from a distance, was relieved to see Sophia escape Carlos Lontes. He was the kind of man to intimidate rather than be intimidated. He always got what he wanted, no matter the means. He had no limits. The expression on Carlos's face spoke volumes about the end of their conversation. Akira was curious to know what Sophia had said to make him leave her alone.

" I feel like you're somewhere else, Akira," Aurelia said, catching Akira's attention.

" You were saying?" he asked, redirecting his attention to her.

" That you're elsewhere. It's been a while since I've been talking to you, but you seem preoccupied with something else," she said, amused.

" A bit concerned, but... forget it. If you don't mind, we can discuss it at my office. The project is interesting," he told her.

" Call me then," she said, a charming smile on her face as she handed him her business card.

" My assistant will do it as soon as there's a free slot in my schedule," he said, taking the offered card.

" Akira! What a surprise to see you here," said a raspy voice.

" I'll leave you to enjoy your evening," Aurelia said, walking away.