My Corporate Affair

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sophie....

It was late, and I was walking out of the office building, my mind still buzzing from everything that happened today. The press conference, the way Elliot spoke so honestly, how calm he tried to look despite how nervous I knew he was. I could still see the flashes of cameras in my mind.

As I stepped outside, I noticed Elliot still talking to a few of the executives. He was standing by the entrance, talking to them in a group, his posture firm but his face still holding that exhaustion from the press conference. I couldn’t help but smile softly. He’d done it. He’d taken control of the situation, addressed the past, and put it behind him.

I stood there for a moment, watching him, and then decided it was time to head home. The streets were quieter now, the usual bustle of the city starting to fade into the night. I was just about to walk away when I saw Elliot glance over in my direction. He didn’t see me right away, but when he did, he offered a small smile.

I smiled back, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. It wasn’t often I got a moment like this with him, a quiet acknowledgment of something unsaid.

But I had to keep moving. I had a bus to catch, and it was getting late. As I started walking away, my thoughts drifted back to the events of the day. Maybe I was starting to understand Elliot better, and maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand me too.

When I got home that night, I dropped my bag by the door and sighed. It had been such a long day. The press conference was still running through my mind, and honestly, I was exhausted.

I headed to the kitchen where I found my mom and grandmother sitting at the table, chatting over tea. As soon as they saw me, they smiled.

"We saw the news today," my mom said, pouring me a cup without even asking if I wanted one.

Grandma nodded. "That young man, your boss, he spoke very well. Such a shame how people judge others."

I froze a little. "Uh… you saw the press conference?"

"Of course," my mom said. "It was everywhere. Big screens, even on my phone."

I hesitated, chewing my bottom lip. "Did you… see anything else?"

They exchanged a look and shook their heads.

"No, just the press conference," Grandma said.

I almost sagged in relief. So, they hadn’t seen the cafeteria video of me confronting the interns. Thank God.

Trying not to show how relieved I was, I sat down with them. We talked a little about how unfair it was for people to dig up Elliot’s past. They were both really supportive, and it made me feel warm inside.

After dinner, I went to freshen up, taking a long shower to wash away the stress of the day. I slipped into some comfortable clothes, dried my hair, and finally crawled into bed, scrolling lazily through my phone.

About an hour later, there was a knock on my door.

"Sophie?" my mom called softly. "There's someone outside for you." She was smiling strangely.

I sat up immediately. "Someone? Who?" I asked, confused. It was late.way too late for visitors.

"I don't know, but he's waiting by the front door," she said, still smiling mischievously.

Heart pounding with curiosity and a little anxiety, I quickly threw on a hoodie and went downstairs. I stepped outside into the cool night air, looking around, and froze.

Standing there by the gate, looking slightly awkward but somehow still composed, was Elliot.

I blinked, wondering if I was seeing things. Elliot? At my house? At night?

He shoved his hands into his pockets when he saw me, offering a small smile.

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling my heart race. What was he doing here

I stared at Elliot, still trying to believe he was actually standing outside my house. At night.

I walked a little closer, feeling the cool air on my skin. My voice came out softer than I intended. "What... what are you doing here?"

He let out a small breath and glanced away for a second, almost like he was shy. "I don't really know," he admitted, giving a little chuckle. "I just... needed to."

My heart skipped a beat. The way he said it, so raw and honest, made something warm stir inside me. I dropped my gaze to the ground for a second, trying to hide the smile pulling at my lips.

He stepped a little closer, hands still stuffed in his pockets. "I wanted to thank you," he said. "For your idea... about the press conference. It was amazing. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't pushed me to do it."

I looked up at him, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I'm just happy for you," I said softly. "You’re standing your ground... showing everyone who you really are. It’s inspiring."

Elliot gave a small smile, but it wasn’t the confident CEO smile I was used to seeing at work. This one was real... almost boyish. "If it was months ago, before I met you," he said, his voice lowering slightly, "I probably would've just apologized. Even if I didn't mean it. I would’ve apologized for having a past."

I felt my chest tighten a little at his words. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the vulnerability he rarely showed.

"You've changed me, Sophie," he said quietly.

For a moment, we just stood there. The world around us faded into the background, the night sounds, the distant cars, the soft breeze. It was just me and him.

Then, before I could even react, he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.

I froze, my heart slamming against my chest.

He hugged me tightly, arms wrapped firmly around my body, like he was afraid I would slip away. I felt his face bury gently into the crook of my neck, his warm breath against my skin.

I stood there, shocked, not knowing what to do with my hands for a second. Slowly, instinctively, I brought my arms up and hugged him back.

I could feel how tense he was... how much he needed this moment. And I realized, I needed it too.

My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was trying to break free from my chest.

Neither of us said a word. We just stayed like that, holding onto each other under the night sky.

Elliot....

I stood in front of Sophie’s door, about to knock, when the door opened suddenly.

Her mother stepped outside, carrying a small trash bag.

When she saw me, she paused , her face first surprised, then warm with recognition.

"Mr. Elliot?" she said, smiling knowingly.

I cleared my throat, feeling strangely nervous. "Good evening, ma'am. I... I’m here to see Sophie."

Her mother gave a teasing laugh, shaking her head fondly. "You young people. Let me go call her for you."

Without waiting for a response, she disappeared back inside, leaving me standing awkwardly on the porch.

A few seconds later, the door opened again, and Sophie stepped outside.

She was wearing an oversized hoodie and shorts, her hair a little messy, looking sleepy and adorable.

She blinked at me in shock. "Sir?" she said quietly. "What are you doing here?"

I gave her a small, helpless smile. "I... don’t really know," I admitted honestly. "But I needed to see you."

Her cheeks turned pink immediately, and she hugged her arms around herself, looking everywhere but at me.

"Sir, it's late," she said shyly.

I nodded slowly. "I know. But I just... couldn’t go home without saying thank you."

She looked up at me with wide, curious eyes, still hugging her hoodie closer.

"Thank you for your idea today," I continued. "It was amazing. You have no idea how much it helped me."

My voice softened. "I meant every word I said in that press conference."

Her lips curved into a soft smile. "I'm really happy for you," she said warmly. "You're standing your ground now. That's not easy to do."

I felt something stir deep inside me , a feeling I hadn’t allowed myself to feel for a very long time.

"If this had happened a few months ago... before I met you," I said quietly, "I would have just apologized.

I would have apologized for having a past... for being human."

She listened carefully, her face gentle and open, making it even harder to hold everything inside.

"But now..." I shook my head slightly, stepping closer, feeling the weight lift from my chest, "I'm not apologizing for existing anymore.

I'm just living... trying to be better."

There was a moment of stillness between us, where we simply looked at each other.

The porch light flickered softly above us.

I didn’t even think.

I just moved , and pulled her into my arms.

She gasped, stiffening a little. "Sir...!" she whispered in shock.

I held her tighter, burying my face in the warm space between her neck and shoulder.

I felt her body frozen against me, and it made me whisper, almost pleading,

"Please... just let me. I really needed this."

For a few seconds, she didn’t move.

Then slowly, carefully, I felt her hands lift and wrap around me, hugging me back.

The moment her arms tightened, my entire body relaxed.

The world felt quiet. Peaceful.

I hadn’t realized how heavy everything had been , until she lifted it just by being there.

Just by holding me.