Crazy In Love

Chapter 4 Making Me Late

The next morning Sophia wakes up before the alarm rings. She grabs her phone on the bedside table and looks at the time; it's 6 am. She changes into her workout clothes and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes in her mini gym. She cooked her breakfast and ate. 

She takes a bath; after 15 minutes, she wrapped her body in a towel and dried her hair with another towel before blow-drying with a hairdryer. She does her daily routine tone-moisturizes her face and body, then applies an eyebrow and lipstick. 

As she was about to change into her office clothes, her cellphone rings. She answered the call while putting on her clothes.  

Nathan: Good morning, angel. How was your night? 

Sophia: It was good?

Nathan: I'm about to bring you breakfast. Can I come up? "I'm downstairs."

Sophia: "But, I've just finished eating breakfast." 

Nathan: Can I come although you are finished? "It's a waste. It would be best if you accompanied me to eat; it's your favorite." 

Sophia: Fine! 7th floor, room 705.

Nathan: Ok, I'll be there in a minute! Little did she know he was there a while ago; he was hesitant to come up to her unit. He's just stalling time.

Ding, Dong, the doorbell rang." Sophia opened the door and asked," 

What breakfast did you bring? "Pancakes and fruits, low-fat milk, and my coffee, "Nathan replied.

"The food is good; it's hard to resist. You know, I will get fat if I eat this much every day." Sophia says. "Lazy girl, eat will leave after." "Don't worry, you are not fat, and besides, you are not a model," You have a big appetite for a 5-foot foodie;" Nathan's face looks amused. 

"Hey! I'm 5'3", thank you. I know I'm short, but you can be 6 foot or something; mentioning my height, it's taboo for me." Sophia says, pouting. 

Nathan smirked, "Don't worry, I like petite and chubby women; I don't like skinny ones." 

Before Sophia could retort, he cuts off. "It's 10 minutes before 8; let's go! "I drop you at the company.

" Ahh, you're making me late for work, Sophia says. 

Nathan brings her laptop bag, and Sophia follows her to the parking. 

Nathan opened the door for Sophia, And she sat in the co-pilot seat; then he sat on the driver's side drive all the way to the company.

" Thanks for the food and the ride." "You're welcome, Angel." "Sophia gets down in the car and waves goodbye. 

Time passes by, and it's lunchtime' Tok, Tok, Tok. "Come in," please? 

"Director, it's lunchtime; what food do you want to eat?"I'll buy it for you."

"I'm not hungry; go eat your lunch; buy me a strawberry smoothie." 

"Ok, Director, I'll go ahead." 

Hmm! Sophia replied without looking.

 At 1 pm, Sophia's secretary arrived and brought the drinks. She drinks it while working. At 3 pm, she stretches out her hands and massages her neck.

She stood up and went to the comfort room. She went straight inside the cubicle when she heard someone murmuring, but she ignored it. 

Then she heard the door opened and running water. As she was inside the cubicle, someone speaks.

 "Did you see our new Director? She looks aloof and strict."

 "Did you see the car that she rides earlier, the one that stops in front of the company?

"It's a Bugatti limited edition; only 10 are sold worldwide."

And did you see the guy who drives the car?

"Not really we only saw his side profile the other day. He looks hot." 

Is he her boyfriend? 

Then the other girl says," Wow! really, we almost hire the same year at the company, but she was promoted fast."

How'd you know that? 

"I heard it from one of the human resource employees, and they say she's not easy to be bully and toyed with; she has back up from higher-ups." 

Sophia heard a cubicle being opened. "Hey, what are you gossiping about here? Get back to work."

"Yes, mam." They cower and left. 

Sophia got out of a cubicle and washed her hands. 

"Did you hear them talking about you? 

"Don't worry, don't bother let them gossip; it's their loss, not mine." Sophia retort.

"Is that so, stretching her hand? I'm Layla Delany of Marketing Department".

Sophia extended her hand for a handshake." I'm Sophia Hankey, Marketing and Advertising Director." "Nice to meet you."

"It seems we will meet often." Hankey as in auto Ford car loans? 

"Yeah, I'm one of their daughters," Sophia replied.

"No wonder you promoted fast!

 "Nah, it's not for connection; it's talent and brains."

"So, you are the creator of the advertisements for all the products of the company? 

"Yes, I am." "But of course, with the help of teamwork and combined team efforts."

Then Sophia's phone vibrated in her pocket. She took out her phone and answered the call.

"Hello, yes, Vice President. I'll be on my way to your office."

"Nice talking to you, Miss Delany; I'll go first."

Tok, Tok, Tok "come in." 

Are you looking for me, Vice Pres?

"Here, we have a new product to launch in fall this year, and also the take over of the new President will take office here." "I heard from the Chairman that his grandson wants to take office here in our branch." "Ok, Vice President, I will study the portfolio and form a team." "I will show you the rough draft before finalizing it."

"Report to me as soon as possible, Miss Hankey. We have three months to prepare."

"Yes, sir."

As Sophia get back to her office, the phone in her pocket vibrated.

Sophia: "Hello, Grandpa. There's something wrong?

Grandpa: No, "Sophia, I have something  to talk to you." Can you drop by at my place after your work? 

Sophia: yes, grandpa 

Grandpa: Ok, I'll wait for you, bye. 

At 4 pm, Sophia got off work early and went straight to her grandpa's house. Her grandfather had said that he arranges for her to meet the grandson of his businessman friend. He was from the military and was going to retire to handle their family business. He was a little aloof, decent, and have a good temper; as he was from the military, he was ruthless in handling business. He never entered into any relationship; military men are loyal, honest, and trustworthy; they keep their honor.

"Ok, grandpa, I'll meet him."

"He was better than your boy next door boyfriend."

As Sophia's phone rang, she answered the call.

Sophia: Hello! 

Nathan:" I'm going to your company. I have to tell you something important."

Sophia: I'm here at grandpa's house. What's the matter? 

Nathan: "Send me the address. I'll come to pick you up."

Sophia: "Ok, I'll text you the address." 

As Sophia was hungry, she went into the kitchen to look for food. Unbeknown to her, Nathan had just arrived and was interrogated by her grandpa before calling her. 

"Sophia, someones is looking for you; his name was Nathan! Grandpa shout.

"I'll be there in a minute," Sophia answered.

" It's up to you, young man, Don't forget what I told you and your promise to me." "I will tell the old man that you already met her,"  grandpa told Nathan.

" I promise I will, grandpa." 

"Good!

 "Wait a minute. What are you talking about? 

"Do you two know each other? Sophia asks, wondering.

"He's the one I'm talking about that you're going to meet, Sophia."

What! 

"You know about this, Nathan?

"Nope, I happen to know this as I meet your grandpa."

Sophia looks to Nathan then to her Grandpa, who was smiling. 

"Go ahead, go to your date; we already arrange the place." "We reserve a seat at your favorite restaurant, Sophia."

We? who's we? 

"My grandpa and your grandpa Sophia," Nathan answered.

Sophia and Nathan arrive at "The Lobster" seafood restaurant, the waiter brings them to their reserved place overlooking the pictures of the pier. 

Nathan let Sophia order their food, and all the ingredients used are fresh. She ordered steamed lobster, baked scallops, barbecue oyster, baked salmon, and clam chowder. 

Do you have a big appetite for a petite woman like you? What should I call you a "dwarf foodie." 

"Whatever, I don't care as long as I can eat my favorites." Sophia, eat with gusto and almost gobbled up all the food on the table.

" By the way, what do you want to tell me earlier over the phone? 

My grandfather and your grandfather arrange our date and our marriage, Nathan says.

What! When? Sophia reacts. 

Nathan suggests," I did not object to my grandpa's arrangement so that he will stop pushing me for blind dates to any random woman whom I felt disgusted with. I felt like puking." "But with you, it's different."

"Listen, Sophia, though we've known each other for days." "You are my cure and my medicine, and you're the first woman that I am physically and emotionally attached to."

"I don't know what happened to me; starting that night we first meet, I can't get you out of my mind."

"I object with my grandpa for the arrange marriage I want us to experience to date, getting to know each other, be engaged, and give you a dream wedding."

"And, of course, we should both be like each other. Love can be developed over time." Is that okay with you? 

Sophia nods for confirmation. Sophia doesn't know how to answer.

After their dinner, they drove home; They don't talk much on the way with their own thoughts.

Nathan drops Sophia off at her place; as she was about to get out of his car, he speaks, 

"Doesn't think too much about the arrangement they set up. I will delay it for the time being."

 Do you trust me, Sophia? "Sophia nod, Ok. Goodnight, Nathan. Goodnight too, Sophia.