ENCOUNTERING THE COWARD
1449 Words
Sophia smiled before continuing...
"But you failed to realize or perhaps, you don't care that this will not only ruin the reputation I have barely build but also make my parents the ones you so claimed to respect sad. tsk..." she clicked her tongue ...
" how hypocritical. " turning to face everyone she said." today she did it to me, tomorrow it would be another, or perhaps she has been doing it since..?her voice drawled towards the end. just that nobody could bit her in her games"?
she tilted her head lazily before looking back at Rachel.
" I will not demand an apology from you, because if given the chance next time, you will do it again, I do not entertain hypocritical people, cause you are not repentant right now, I will let this pass, considering that you never knew me before , I will let you step up your game, but too bad that next time, you will be drawned in the ocean before you even realise."
Sophia picked up her back pack after uttering this words, leaving Rachel and the rest of the family members stunned and shaken. directing accusing looks at Rachel, they began to disperse one after the other avoiding her like a plaque. Rachel gritted her teeth, searing with frustration and embarrassment. A perfectly laid out plan disrupted, Rachel could no longer underestimate Sophia, someone who knows her way with the computer so effortlessly is definitely not illiterate, but the extent of her literacy, she would soon find out.
Sophia stepped out of the front door, back pack in hand, ready to tackle the day's challenges. she couldn't believe she just wasted her time, anyway that's by the way. She was determined to make progress on her latest research project, a top-secret endeavor she and her team had been working on for months.
The crisp morning air invigorated her as she walked to her car, which her parents had prepared for her before her arrival, her mind already focused on the complex algorithms and data analysis that lay ahead. She got to her location and parked slightly away from the research company to avoid suspicion incase someone was following her.
As she turned out of her driveway, Sophia noticed a black hooded figure eating on the sidewalk. She rolled her eyes, annoyed by the lack of consideration for others. Who eats on the street, anyway? She thought to herself. Her annoyance grew as the figure, seemingly oblivious to her presence, continued to chomp away, sauce dripping down his chin.
Sophia quickened her pace, intent on avoiding any interaction with the messy eater. But fate had other plans. As she turned the corner, she accidentally bumped into the hooded figure, spilling his tea all over her notes and papers.
"Watch where you're going!" Sophia exclaimed, frustration boiling over.
The hooded figure looked up, startled, and Sophia was taken aback by the piercing blue eyes that met hers. "You're the one who bumped into me," a deep, smooth voice retorted, the tone dripping with sarcasm. "You should watch where you're going, lady."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Lady? You're the one eating on the street like a slob. Show some respect."
The hooded figure snorted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Respect? You're one to talk, Miss 'I'm-too-important-to-watch-where-I'm-going'."
Sophia's anger flared. "Excuse me? I'm just trying to get to work, unlike some people who seem to have nothing better to do than eat on the sidewalk."
The hooded figure stood up, towering over Sophia. "Unlike some people? You have no idea what I do or who I am. Maybe I'm just taking a break from saving the world."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Saving the world? With a chicken sandwich?"
The hooded figure's eyes flashed with annoyance, but he quickly masked it with a smirk. "You'd be surprised what I can do with a chicken sandwich. Maybe I'll show you sometime."
Sophia felt a spark of attraction, which only fueled her annoyance. Who was this rude, arrogant... She pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the argument. "I doubt that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
As Sophia turned to leave, the hooded figure grasped her arm, his grip firm but not ungentle. "Wait. You're not even going to apologize for spilling tea all over my jacket?"
Sophia's eyes met his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. "Let go of my arm," Sophia said finally, her voice low and even.
The hooded figure released her arm, but not before giving her a slow, deliberate smile. "This isn't over," he said, his voice low and husky.
Sophia's heart skipped a beat as she turned and walked away, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. Who was this infuriating, intriguing man? And why did she feel like she'd just encountered a storm that was about to change her life forever?
As Sophia walked away, the hooded figure watched her go, a mixture of emotions swirling inside him. He couldn't believe he'd let her get under his skin like that. But there was something about her, – her intelligence, her spirit, her sharp tongue – that had caught his attention. He smiled to himself, feeling a spark of interest ignite within him. This wasn't over, indeed.
while thinking to himself, mr Klein his assistant walked towards him with a baseball cap on his head.
" Boss, just as you suspected the head researcher is a female, but I couldn't succeed in getting her name, those people are tonque tight".
Ethan cast him a dismissive look and replied lazily " keep trying, I don't care about the approach, what I need is results". casting one last look at the direction Sophia had taken he walked away from there to the opposite direction.
Sophia walked towards the massive building that stood intimidating as one of the biggest research institute in Lightspring.
At the age of 11, she had participated in a science quiz competition representing her rural school, emerging as first place and stunning the world of scientists at her brilliant insight when she was being interviewed after the competition.
Mr Damien Quinn a leading researcher and scientists had taken interest in her, and decided to train her and not waste her intelligence on trivial courses. Even Sophia's intellect was beyond that, completing secondary college within 3 years, she had taken three courses at the same time in the university. The fact that she could keep up with all of them excelling effortlessly is what always amazes her friends and Mr Damien couldn't be any less prouder, showing off with her in every gathering he had the chance.
The year Sophia completed her scientific research course, Damien retired and passed his position to her not minding that she was just 18 years old. to him Sophia could handle anything an elder like him could as long as it's involves books and research.
Plain view research institute has been his life work, guarding it with all his life, but handing it to Sophia was as easy as giving away peanut, people who knew more, were less surprise than those who knew less, and were left to only speculate their thoughts.
Walking into her office, she dropped her bag and picked up her white jacket to wear, before heading to the laboratory section.
"Good morning mis Sophia" three female employees who just walked in greeted her in unison. she nodded slightly to them, before being greeted again by another set...
" Good morning miss Sophia" she waved them off nonchalantly. "morning " she replied
walking into the laboratory, she saw Caleb one of her team member, who is strongly devoted to scientific research, always coming to work before any person does. on seeing her, he gave her a mischievous smile.
" And here comes our Queen, good morning my lady ". Sophia not minding his antics tapped his shoulders and instructed..
" Quit being mischievous and pass me the measuring cylinder, she paused for a second. ...and also give me the USB drive that Contains yesterday's research progress, I need to check for errors now ".
"yes my lady" he replied, Sophia rolled her eyes before taking the cylinder to her desk.
Caleb proceeded to plug in the drive and then opened the content of the individual folder before getting Sophia's attention to it.
Sophia scanned through the contents before heaving a relief sigh, she thought something was off, luckily it's just her being a perfectionist.
" So my lady, is there something we need to fix?" .
" nope it's okay, we will work with that"?.
- Writer
