SOFIAThe biggest issue of the female gender in this current society had to be the problem of picking the right clothes. Alex had asked to see me and even if it wasn't a date, I still wanted to look good. Like I said, he just brought out this side of me. Everytime.I don't think my wardrobe got the memo. Apparently apart from my office clothes which I never planned on wearing again infact I didn't mind dumping them in fire, the rest of my clothes were not it. I stared at the wardrobe irritated from all the piles and heaps. This was going to be a big job to do and I needed to clear my head before I could go on.I decided to try out some music. Everything needs a little harmony right? I started swaying my hips pretending to enjoy the song. I increased the volume to the highest and I tried to block out the thoughts in my head. It wasn't working out for me. I wanted to scream loud and pull my hair. I put off the music immediately. Why me? Why did this have to happen to me?I was already a
SOFIAHe kept looking at him and subconsciously, I reached to touch my face to feel if there was something there. I checked myself well before leaving the house and I looked great. The make up was good and the dress was not revealing.I just couldn't ignore how his eyes kept flicking up to the rearview mirror, stealing glances at me. It was unnerving, to say the least. I felt like hitting my bag on his damned head. For some reason, he gave me the vibes of my boss and it irked me. Now, I was stuck with him. I should have just walked!I tried my best to ignore his piercing stare, focusing instead on the passing scenery outside the window. The streets were busy, people were trooping out of banks and other shops. For a while, I focused but every time I glanced up, this man's eyes were on me once more. It was as though he was trying to unravel the very fabric of my being, touch me or feast on me with the intensity of his gaze.I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, stealing a quick glance at
ALEXThe cartel would be mine. So I had thought.Not until that night, not until I read that very terrible message. With the buzz of my phone and me picking it up. I could have ignored it, oh, I could just toss it aside but then I checked it. It was the strange, it was unusual, it was the most unexpected message I have ever seen and received.My heart skipped two beats, my whole body had erupted and the shock travelled from my legs up to my face, making me go all pale and shivering and I had mistakenly dropped the cup of water I was holding, letting out a loud, "What?!"That night had been the most terrible, apart from the day I lost my mother. That night, I felt all I ever looked after crumbling. It was like I had been pregnant for nine months, nursing my baby in me which was the Cartel, and then when it was time to give birth, I was told the baby died.For all my life, for all of my life, all I think of was owning the Cartel. Apart from dangerously loving hockey, the Cartel was very
ALEX "What a funny joke." I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Laughing was my comfort act, and I kept making silly chuckles to comport myself. I still couldn't believe that my father would be so brutal towards the whole successor thing. I mean it was successor for a reason. Hello? Next of kin? The man was dumb.I wondered if I had no one to back me up or root for me back at home. I would have never known about his decision. He didn't even plan to inform me. I chuckled again. I was basically out of business then. I wasn't sure if he considered me as a son, seeing all his recent decisions. At least he'd let me know.I shifted uncontrollably in my seat. I'd forgotten to wind down the glass for some air and I was getting choked up. I immediately pressed the buttons and let myself out. Wow, suffocation was definitely not the best way to go. Just less air and I felt like puking my insides out.Perhaps I needed to go to a hospital. The stress of thinking lately had begun to dawn on me. I
SOFIAThoughts were still running wild in my head like little children in a playground and then I composed myself when I saw Alex. He seemed lost, I wondered what he was thinking about. From afar, he doesn't look this pensive, but now, going closer to him, he wasn't here anymore. His mind had travelled out of planet Earth."Alex, are you okay?" I asked him with concerned eyes. He was quick to look up, and I knew he hadn't even bothered to look up all this while, not to talk of pretending to not see me coming."Hey, Sofia." He said, standing up. He then pulled out the chair opposite to his and gestured for me to sit. "Sit."I stepped aside with a smile as he pulled the chair away. I then thanked him with a nod and sat down in the comfortable chair. The chair was thin and tight but I squeezed myself in it, doing my best to avoid meeting Alex's eyes. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as we made small talk and greeted each other."Are you comfortable?""Yes." I answered.Alex wave
SOFIAIt seemed like I didn't think it through before saying, "I'll be on the lookout for another job. I will continue with the investigation and then pay you."As I sat across from him, I could feel the weight of my decision pressing down on me, making it hard to even breathe. I thought I had thought this well, I mean, there was no sense even if I went back. I couldn't ever be comfortable, no, I wouldn't. That's the choice I can even make without having to ask for anyone's opinion.I mean, my boss tried to rape me! What I was supposed to do was to sue him and ensure he bags at least, a year imprisonment. But I wasn't going to do that, I was just going to leave. But now, actually saying it out loud made it all too real.I couldn't believe that I was finally saying it out loud. I had made up my mind to leave my job, that high paying job. It was a soul-crushing decision, but the only sane thing to do. I had been battling with the idea since he ever touched me, but now that the words wer
SOFIA I couldn't imagine going through that process again. And seeing that my first time ended in a horrible situation, it was hard for me to adapt. No, I was bluffing. I did not want to do it. I did not want to work in an office ever again. I couldn't process sitting down and obeying others, basically worshipping someone who may or may not be a monster again. I refused to risk it.I took another sip of my coffee. I was beginning to think asking for milk was a bad idea. My insides were beginning to argue. "Can I visit the ladies' real quick? If you don't mind?" I asked Alex before I disgraced myself in front of him again. It was already enough that he saw me struggling out of a rape. Him seeing me trying to hold my fart in was not a good look.He looked at me concerned. Oh Trust me, it's not what you think. I wanted to say that but then I'd be giving myself away before he found out. "Are you okay? Do you need a hospital?" He asked. Ugh I didn't need a goddamn hospital. I stood up slow
SOFIAAs I was chatting away my thoughts, I noticed that Alex was just looking at me, his mind was elsewhere. He made this kind of face that suggested he was thinking out of what we were discussing. But, there was still this tendency that he was thinking about what I had told him.I sipped my coffee. The waitress surely added too much milk to this coffee and if I kept drinking it, I would mess up this whole place. I sat well, reaching for the napkin on the table and I dabbed at my mouth. I felt my stomach grumble and hoped I was the only one who heard it.It would be awkward if I excused myself again. I bit my upper lip and as I looked at Alex, I saw that he was now looking at me and there was a spark of understanding, a wistful look that conveyed empathy in his amazing eyes. Now, I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I wanted to fart again or the fact that he understood my predicament.I looked at him and he smiled. This time, I knew his wistful look wasn't on my fart, but on the man