MY NIGHT STAND CEO

CHAPTER 2

Sophia stood in front of the large glass doors of her former high school, her heart pounding in her chest. The building had not changed much since she graduated nearly a decade ago. The familiar bricks and the well furnished classrooms were a contrast to the storm brewing inside her. Tonight was her high school reunion, a night meant to celebrate old friendships and fond memories. Yet Sophia couldn't shake the uneasiness. She smoothed the hem of her emerald dress and looked at her reflection in the glass door.

“Stop fidgeting,” Hailey said, looping her arm through Sophia’s. Her best friend wore a pink jumpsuit that seemed to match her bubbly personality. “You look amazing. Now stop worrying.”

Sophia forced a smile on her face. “Thanks, Hail. I just don't know if I should’ve come,” Sophia sighed.

“Nonsense.” Hailey squeezed her arm. “We are here to have fun and show that jerk that you no longer have a thing for him.”

Sophia knew exactly what Hailey meant. Louis, the golden boy of their high school days. Star quarterback and the subject of Sophia’s secret teenage infatuation. While she had spent her adolescence fading into the background, Louis had thrived, swimming in the adoration of everyone around him.

As they entered the gymnasium, now decorated with twinkling fairy lights and streamers, Sophia’s stomach tightened. She was more nervous than ever. Familiar faces greeted her, some offering warm hugs, some staring and others merely polite nods. The air was thick with nostalgia and laughter, but her attention was caught elsewhere. And then she saw him.

Louis had stood near the punch table, his deep, familiar laugh mingling with the lighthearted chatter of his former classmates. He seemed almost untouched by time, his tall frame still commanding attention, his effortless handsomeness as striking as ever. That boyish charm, the one that had always set him apart, remained intact, causing her heart to skip a beat in recognition and ache with a bittersweet longing.

“Don’t even think about it,” Hailey muttered under her breath, following Sophia’s gaze.

“I am not,” Sophia said quickly, though her cheeks burned.

Hailey raised an eyebrow. “Soph, we have talked about this. High school crush remains in high school. Besides, he is the same arrogant jerk. You’re better than that. Don’t let him pull you back.”

Hailey had spoken with such intense bitterness that Sophia had been left utterly bewildered, unable to grasp the source of the venom in her words. The sharpness in Hailey's voice had been foreign, a level of hatred that seemed to spring from somewhere deep within her, leaving Sophia to wonder what had triggered such a surge of anger.

Sophia nodded, but the pull was undeniable. Before she could dwell on it, Hailey offered a smile. “I’m going to grab us some drinks. Be right back. Don't go anywhere.”

Left alone, Sophia took a deep breath and wandered toward a photo display of their graduating class. She traced a finger over her younger self in the group photo, her shy smile barely visible behind the others. Memories of each event flooded her mind.

“Still shy, huh?”

The voice had sent an involuntary shiver racing down Sophia’s spine, a familiar feeling that instantly set her on edge. She had turned slowly, her heart quickening as she faced the source of the sound. To her surprise, Louis had been standing just behind her, his signature smirk carefully fixed in place, the kind that had always been both maddening and magnetic. As her eyes had locked onto him, she couldn’t help but notice how much more handsome he appeared in such close proximity, his features more striking and his presence more undeniable than she had remembered.

“Louis,” she said, her voice faltering. “Hi.”

He grinned, leaning casually against the wall. “You look...different. In a good way.”

“Thanks,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’re still doing that,” he said with a chuckle, gesturing to her hand. “You always used to play with your hair when you were nervous.” Sophia was surprised Louis had remembered how she displayed her emotions. Her heart fluttered.

“I’m not nervous,” she said, though the warmth creeping up her neck betrayed her. She tried to play it down as being cool.

Louis tilted his head, studying her. “You have not changed. Still you. I like it.” The compliment made Sophia’s heart skip a beat. She wanted to tell him she didn't change because of him. She wanted to be the same girl, thinking he liked it. It took a lot of courage to not fall on him and tell him how much she still liked him.

They had spent quite some time talking, reminiscing and catching up on the years that had passed since high school. Louis had ventured into the real estate industry, where he had built a successful career, now overseeing a portfolio of properties scattered across the city. His eyes lit up as he spoke about his work, though his tone remained grounded, boasting about his accomplishments.

Sophia, on the other hand, shared bits and pieces of her career in marketing. She had been thriving in her field, but she chose to downplay her success, not wanting to come across as boastful. As she spoke, she carefully navigated the conversation, offering enough to convey her passion for her work without drawing too much attention to her achievements. Both of them were aware of how much time had passed, and their conversation flowed naturally as they reconnected over the paths their lives had taken.

“Let’s get out of here,” Louis said suddenly, his tone low and inviting.

Sophia blinked. “What?”

“This place is dead,” he said, glancing around the gym. “Come on. Let’s go somewhere we can actually talk.”

Sophia hesitated, Hailey’s warning ringing in her ears. But before she could respond, Louis extended a hand. “I don't bite, Soph.”

The moment he used the nickname, a sudden, unexpected flutter of nerves stirred in her stomach. It was a feeling she hadn't anticipated, one that caught her off guard and made her heart race. Despite every instinct telling her to keep her distance, to resist the pull of the moment, she found herself doing the one thing she hadn't planned on. Against her better judgment, she reached out and took his hand. The simple gesture sent a wave of warmth through her, her mind whirling with the emotions she had tried so hard to bury.

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Louis had led her away from the reunion, guiding her to his apartment just a few kilometers from the school. The moment she stepped inside, she was struck by how much it contrasted with the image of him she had carried in her mind. His apartment was sleek, modern, and impeccably designed, an entirely different atmosphere from the boy next door charm she remembered from their high school days. Everything about it seemed polished and purposeful, a reflection of his success and the life he had built.