MY NIGHT STAND CEO

CHAPTER3

Sophia wandered through the space, taking a quick tour of the apartment, each room more impressive than the last. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she noticed the attention to detail in every corner, stylish furniture, tasteful art on the walls, and an air of sophistication that seemed to match Louis's achievements. It was clear he had worked hard to get to where he was, and she couldn’t help but admire the fruits of his labor. What she didn’t realize, however, was that through all of her exploration, Louis was quietly watching her from the corner of the room, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity she hadn’t yet noticed.

He poured them both a glass of wine and gestured for her to sit on the leather couch. “This is nice,” she said, glancing around.

“Thanks,” he said, sitting beside her. His closeness sent a wave of nervous energy coursing through her.

As the conversation continued, it felt as though time itself had momentarily slowed, and for a brief moment, the years between them seemed to disappear. They shared stories and laughter, and the ease of their old connection seemed to return as if it had never been interrupted. Louis was as charming as ever, effortlessly weaving humour into their conversation, and his attention to her was unwavering, making her feel as though she was the only person in the room. His warmth and charisma were undeniable, a part of him that hadn't changed since their high school days.

Yet, beneath the surface, there was something different about him. A shift in his demeanor that she couldn't quite place. While his charm and humor were still present, there was a palpable edge to him now. He carried himself with an air of confidence that almost bordered on arrogance, a subtle shift that made him seem more assured, even slightly detached in his self-assurance. It was as if the boy she once knew had transformed into someone more self-possessed, someone who was no longer just the familiar Louis she remembered but a man who had learned to navigate the world on his own terms.

One glass of wine turned into two, and before Sophia realized it, Louis was leaning closer, his hand brushing against hers.

“You know,” he said, his voice low, “I always thought you were cute in high school. Quiet, but cute.”

Sophia’s breath stopped as he closed the distance between them. When his lips met hers, she froze, a mix of excitement and fear streaming through her. His kiss was intense, demanding, and she found herself leaning into it despite the warning bells in her head. One thing led to another, and soon they were tangled on the couch, his hands exploring her as he pressed kisses down her neck. But when his fingers found the hem of her dress and began to lift it, she stopped him.

“Wait,” she whispered, pulling back.

Louis paused, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I’ve never done this before,” she admitted, her cheeks burning.

“What?” His confusion gave way to disbelief. “You’re a virgin?”

Sophia nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Her naive mind led her to believe that her announcement would excite him.

Louis laughed a sharp, dismissive sound that made her stomach churn. “Wow,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, I knew you were shy, but this? What are you, saving yourself for some fairy tale prince?”

Sophia felt the sting of his words like a slap. “I just...I thought—”

“You thought what? That I would be into this? Look, Sophia, I don’t do the whole ‘sweet and innocent’ thing. It’s boring. You’re boring and inexperienced”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her whole expectation had crumbled in front of her.

“Maybe, when you should get the experience,” Louis said, standing and grabbing his keys. “One that’s not so...pathetic, I'll think about us being an item.” Before she could respond, he opened the door and gestured for her to leave. “Good night, Soph.”

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Sophia stumbled out into the cool night air, her chest tight with a mixture of emotions that she couldn't quite sort through. The weight of the evening pressed heavily on her, and her mind felt like it was spinning, reeling from everything that had just transpired. The streets around her were eerily quiet, with only the soft hum of the city in the distance, the occasional car passing by. The city lights above cast long, haunting shadows across the pavement, stretching out like silent witnesses to her thoughts as she slowly made her way home. Each step felt heavier than the last, her heart racing with confusion and uncertainty.

By the time she reached her apartment, she was shaking. Her hands trembled as she fumbled with her keys, struggling to steady her breath. The familiar comfort of home should have been a relief, but instead, it only amplified the chaos she felt inside. She crept through the door quietly, hoping to slip by unnoticed, not wanting to disturb Hailey, who she knew would likely ask questions. But as soon as she stepped into the living room, it was clear that her best friend had been waiting for her. Hailey sat there, arms crossed tightly over her chest, a clear expression of worry etched across her face. Beneath that concern, there was a simmering anger, her gaze sharp and probing, as though she had known something had been wrong all along. The quiet of the apartment was suddenly charged with tension, and Sophia’s heart sank. She knew she couldn’t hide the truth from Hailey, but she had to try.

“Where have you been?” Hailey demanded.

“Out,” Sophia said, avoiding her gaze. Sophia did not want to worry her friend about her encounter after she was warned.

“I was worried about you,” Hailey’s tone softened.

Sophia didn’t respond but hugged her. She gave Hailey a fake smile to stop her from worrying. “Stop worrying, I'm home. I'll go up and freshen up.”

Without waiting for a response, she retreated to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She sank onto her bed, tears streaming down her face as the weight of Louis’s words crushed her. She has never felt so heart broken. Sleep came knocking on her door. Finally her sad form felt at peace.

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Fresh morning came, Sophia woke with a heavy heart and puffy eyes. She made herself a cup of tea. She had woken up with a new determination. She wasn't going to be the shy girl any more. If she needed to get Louis' affection, she had to grow up. Men like Louis needed mature women, she told herself.

“It's time for you to grow up Sophia. You are a woman now.”

Later that day, Sophia stood in front of the mirror, her gaze fixed on her reflection. She studied herself with a mix of determination and frustration, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. The more she thought about the evening with Louis, the more she felt this overwhelming need to prove something to him, that she could be everything he wanted. She had spent so long doubting her own worth, questioning whether she was enough. But now, staring at her own reflection, she made a silent vow to change that. She would show him, and the world, that she was capable of being Louis desired woman.

In that moment, she resolved that all it would take was losing her virginity, gaining the experience she believed was necessary to become the confident, alluring woman she thought she needed to be. If she could just take that step, she convinced herself, she would unlock something within her, something that would finally make her feel desirable, powerful, and worthy of the attention she craved. It was definitely about pleasing Louis, reshaping herself into the person she thought would command the respect and admiration she longed for. She didn’t know how she would go about it, but the thought of stepping into a new phase of her life, one where she could shed her insecurities, consumed her. It was the one thing she felt she could control in a world that so often made her feel invisible.

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