Eventful Attraction: A CEO Romance.

Chapter Three. SOPHIE MILLER

"Hey, what took you so long butterfly?"

Annalise called as Sophie dropped the packs of ice creams I'd gotten

"Can you just imagine the audacity of some men?!"

She shrieked as the other girl walked into the kitchen with the empty container of Nutella.

"Please enlighten me soph"

She giggled and Sophie huffed and took the container from her, throwing it into the bin.

"Hey! I wasn't done with that!"

"So i was on my way to the fridge, i already had so many things in my arms cause-

"You didn't get a cart, as always. I don't even know how you can forget, when thats literally the first thing you see"

Sohie gave her a side eye and she rose her hands up in surrender.

"As i was saying! I was on ny way to the fridge when this...monster of a man bumped into me!"

She gestured wildly, struggling to find words to explain the beautiful man. Wait, no he was an asshole, totally not beautiful. Could men even be called beautiful? Anyway.

"Then i asked if he would apologize, because obviously he bumped into me! And then he asked why he should apologize when i couldn't see where i was going! Can you believe that?!"

She huffed as Annalise popped the cover of another Nutella container.

"Mmhmm, i totally get it"

"And he called me little girl! Do i look sixteen?!"

She asked crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot impatiently.

"Yeah, i mean no, you totally don't!"

"You aren't even paying attention to me Anna!"

Sophie huffed and plopped on the couch, the blue haired girl danced over to her with another spoon and the chocolate spread.

"I listened and he sounds like such a douche bag!"

"Right?! He totally was though!"

She said and scooped some spread

"But was he hot though"

"He was though"

She admitted and Annalise cackled loudly. Sophie rolled her eyes and pushed her friends knee with her socks clad feet.

"Come on, it's really late and we need to go job hunting tomorrow"

Annalise said and stood up, stretching her limbs

"Never thought I'd see the day where Annalise Granger would sleep before 6am"

The blue haired girl narrowed her eyes and Sophie took that as a sign to run, and run she did.

____________

"Do you really think walking into different shops will find a project for me?"

Sophie asked as her friend pulled her into their fourth shop of the morning

"Well, you may never know when the manager night need some help?"

Sophie sighed, her feet already aching from the morning's excursion.

"Anna, I don't think this is how you land an event planning gig. I mean, don't you need an actual event to plan? Otherwise, I'm just wandering around, begging for work."

Anna, undeterred, shot her a cheeky grin.

"Oh, stop being such a pessimist. Maybe we'll run into your grocery store hunk again. You know, the one with the chiseled jaw and the entitlement complex."

Sophie rolled her eyes

"Yeah, I highly doubt that, he looked like something straight out of an Ana Huang novel"

Annalise giggled and pulled her into the restaurant.

Sophie let out a sigh of resignation as she trailed behind her blue-haired friend.

"I don't know, Anna, I think the universe might just be conspiring against me."

But as they stepped into the restaurant, Sophie's eyes widened.

"Wait, isn't this place owned by the Lakewood CEO?"

Anna nodded, a sly smile spreading across her lips.

"And guess who's rumored to be here right now?"

Sophie's stomach did a little flip-flop.

"what are we doing here Annalise?"

Sophie asked, carefully removing her hand from her friends grip but it happened so fast Sophie couldn't even blink. Annalise held her hand tightly and started screaming as people passed them

"Hey you! Yeah! You! You fired my friend without any reason!"

Sophie stared at Annalise, her face a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and a hint of murderous intent.

"Are you trying to get us both thrown out? Or worse, arrested?"

she hissed through gritted teeth.

"What? He fired you! That's not fair! And he's right there!"

Annalise gestured towards a corner booth where, sure enough, sat none other than Xavier Lakewood himself, looking up with a mixture of annoyance and surprise.

"We're leaving," Sophie said, her voice low and urgent.

"uh no we're not!"

"What is all this ruckus?"

A blonde haired woman, wearing a red fitted dress asked, sassily strutting up to them, with her signature smirk. Sophie shut her eyes willing this day to start over again.

"Oh, it's you"

Annalise said, her distaste palpable in her words. The said woman smirked at the two friends.

"Yes, it's me, working with Mr Lakewood on his latest project, if you'll excuse us?"

Isabella asked mockingly, Sophie pulled Annalise's arm softly and the taller girl looked at her friends fallen face, a surge of anger built within her

"You, project stealing b***h!"

Annalise reached for Isabella's hair but Sophie pulled her back, and like things couldn't get any worse, Xavier himself strode over to them. In all his 6' foot blonde hair, green eyed glory. Sophie gulped and pulled Annalise closer to her. He looked really familiar.

"What is this Isabella?"

He asked, his voice making Sophie and Annalise share a look. The Blue haired girl smirked and Sophie slapped her palm over her friends mouth.

"Sir, these....girl barged in here and tried to..to attack me!"

She said dramatically clutching her chain.

"Yeah, cause your a f*****g filthy theif!"

Annalise mumbled from behind Sophie's palm

Sophie could feel the tension building, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Her hand, pressed against Annalise's mouth, was the only thing standing between her friend and a potential catfight in the middle of Lakewood's restaurant.

"Isabella, please calm down. And as for you two," Xavier's harsh gaze flicked between Sophie and Annalise, the intensity of his green eyes almost too much to bear.

"I suggest you explain yourselves before I have you both removed."

Sophie gulped.

"Sorry sir, it was my mistake i-

"Listen, this girl is Sophie Miller, your supposed Event planner who you fired because Isabella stole her idea. And presented it to you before she could."

Isabella gasped loudly and placed a hand on Xavier's arm. The blonde man was staring at Sophie now, the said girl gripped her friends shoulders.

"You, is this true?"

He asked. Sophie rolled her eyes. He didn't even know her name.

"It's true! And -

"It's true sir"

She said cutting of Annalise

"They're lying I swear!"

Isabella shrieked and held onto his suit jacket.

"So what do you suppose we do? The plans are already under way, and since it is your idea, you could take over it?"

Isabella stared at the man like he'd lost his mind. Sophie bit her lip as she thought over it. Did she still want this project though? He'd fired her without knowing anything, could she work for someone like that?

"Soph? What are you think about? Say yes!"

Annalise urged, but Sophie shook her head.

"No, I don't want it anymore. Mr Xavier. She can continue it"

She said nodding to Isabella who was now looking between the three of them, jaw open.

Xander rose his brows at the casual use of his name

"You, want her to... Sophie are you mad?"

Annalise whisper-screamed.

As the scene unfolded, Sophie could practically feel the eyes of the restaurant upon them. But she remained resolute, her gaze fixed on Xander Lakewood.

"No, Mr. Lakewood, I'm not mad. I'm practical. You fired me before I had a chance to present my idea. And now, I don't want to work for a company that would allow something like that to happen."

Xander's expression was unreadable, his eyes flicking between Sophie and Isabella.

"Are you sure about this, Miss Miller?"

"yes, I am. Let's go Anna"

She said and walked out. Annalise made a punching motion towards the blonde that stood beside Xavier and she squealed hiding behind him, who's eyes were trained on Sophie's retreating form.

Sophie and Annalise left the restaurant, their footsteps echoing through the dining room as they made their way out.

"Are you insane? You could have had a great opportunity there!" Annalise exclaimed once they were outside, her incredulity evident in her tone.

Sophie shrugged, trying to ignore the slight twinge of doubt in her stomach.

"Maybe. But I have principles, and I'm not going to compromise them. Besides, Xavier Lakewood seems like a bit of an ass."

"all the men you've met are asses"

Sophie snorted

"True that"

The two women laughed, their moods lightening as they stepped out into the warm afternoon sun. Sophie stretched her arms above her head, relishing in the relief that came with removing her metaphorical armor.

"You know, maybe this is the universe's way of telling me that event planning isn't for me,"

she said, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, don't say that!" Annalise protested. "You're a natural. Maybe you just need to find your niche."

Sophie thought for a moment, considering Annalise's words.

"Yeah, I guess you're right"

Annalise smiled, her cotton candy blue hair looking even paler in the sun.

"Alright let's find an actual cafe to sit in a check for open spots?"

"Agreed!" Annalise replied, pulling out her phone and starting to scroll through restaurant listings.

"We deserve a little break after that drama. Oh, and maybe we should swing by and pick up some more ice cream. Y'know, in case we get interrupted again."

Sophie snorted. "Please, Anna, you just want an excuse to eat more ice cream. Don't try to pretend it's for some greater good."

"Well, maybe it is," Annalise retorted, her grey eyes sparkling with mischief.

The duo made their way to the ice cream parlor and set up shop. Browsing websites for open spots

As they sat in the ice cream parlor, the familiar scent of waffle cones and vanilla wafting around them, Sophie and Annalise dove into their online search.

"Oh my god, Sophie, look at this!" Annalise exclaimed, her finger tapping on the screen of her phone. "The Blackwood company is looking for an event planner. And it's not just any event, its their annual gala!"

Sophie raised an eyebrow as she looked over Annalise's shoulder.

"That looks a little to big for me Anna"

Her friend knacked their heads together

"Yeah, how's that for too big?"

Sophie rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Annalise, this sounds perfect. A gala for a prominent tech company? This is the kind of opportunity I've been waiting for."

"Exactly!" Annalise exclaimed, her excitement infectious. "And with your talent and creativity, you'll knock this out of the park. You'll have Xander Lakewood begging for you to come work for him."

Sophie rolled her eyes playfully.

"I guess i could apply, but I'd have to meet them in person and that company is filled with people "

"Then we'll walk in there, it says here that an event planner is urgently needed, they're gala is in two months "

Sophie's eyes widened

"Two months? No event planner would agree to that!"

"and that's where you come in butterfly"

Annalise said snapping her fingers.

"But, i-

"Shh we'll make it work for now.... we'll send in your information and boom! Interview bagged!"

Annalise said showing her the laptop where and email from the company came in saying they wanted to meet with her tomorrow. Soohie almost fainted

"I'm really doing this"

She whispered and Annalise giggled.

"Yes, now we need to get everything ready"

Sophie bit her lip nervously, looking at the ice cream that had begun to melt in front of her.

"What if they ask me about my experience?"

"you have plenty experience! Just don't tell them about your project being stolen!"

Sophie winced

"A relationship is built on trust, I can't lie to them when they ask me about my last project!"

"Who's gonna know? After that, you'll have enough money to start up your own business!"

Annalise leaned forward, her eyes meeting Sophie's with an intense determination.

"Trust me, you won't have to lie. Not really. Just...spin the truth a little bit. It's what everyone does in interviews, right? You'll say your last project got delayed, but you're so excited to apply your skills to Blackwood Enterprises."

Sophie still looked uncertain, the idea of twisting the truth going against her nature. "I don't know, Anna..."

"Look, if you tell them the truth, they'll either think you're lying, or-

"or that I don't know what i don't know what I'm doing"

Sophie muttered

"Exactly! You see!"

Annalise exclaimed

Annalise practically bounced in her seat.

"Exactly! So, let's keep it simple, keep it positive. You'll dazzle them with your charm and creativity, and they won't be able to say no."

Sophie chuckled, her nerves starting to subside.

"You make it sound so easy."

"Hey, that's what best friends are for,"

Annalise replied with a grin, lifting her spoon in a mock toast.

"To Sophie Miller, event planning extraordinaire!"

Sophie smiled, returning the toast with her spoon.

"To me I guess?"

Annalise ordered another round of ice cream and the two talked about her interview the next day.

The hours passed in a blur, as Sophie and Annalise laughed, plotted, and ate ice cream until their bellies were full. The sun was just beginning to set when they finally emerged from the parlor, the early evening air cooling their flushed faces.

"Tomorrow's the big day,"

Annalise said, linking her arm through Sophie's.

"You're gonna knock their socks off. And when you do, you'll have to take me out to dinner to celebrate."

Sophie smiled, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves fluttering in her stomach.

"Dinner it is.

Sophie said as they walked back to their apartment.

"Oh and its gotta be that new place round papa Joe's!"

Sophie rolled her eyes.

"Your best friend won't become a billionaire over night you know "

"Then after that we can go to Fendi! Ohhh i so want that dress Rihanna wore, I would kill for it!"

Annalise droned on and Sophie pushed her slightly, the bue haired girl however, narrowed her eyes and Sophie shook her head before dashing off, her laughter ringing round the streets, the nervousness of the next day already forgotten.