Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Sophia dragged her hand through her hair, sighing as her mind drifted to all the problems that seemed to be hanging over her head. seeking respite she picked up her phone, scrolling through her apps.

Sophia sighed as she clicked on the camera roll, and the first picture that caught her eyes had her seating straighter as she glanced around to see if anyone was staring at her.

The life of a criminal, Sophia muttered in her head, staring at the image of Lennox on his bed. Sophia gaped, memorizing every little detail, a smile tugging on her lips.

"Why are you grinning at your phone," Tzuyu said making Sophia jump, automatically slamming her phone on the table before she could stop herself. Sophia glared at Tzuyu who looked amused.

"Can you not sneak up on people, I almost died just now, you scared the crap out of me" she got out shakily, as she placed her phone back into her purse.

Tzuyu crossed her arms. "What's these vibes I'm getting from you, Sophia? You seemed suspicious so I wanted to check on what you were up to, so spill, I know you're up to something"

Sophia shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about, I was just ordering a bag online" she forced out, crossing her fingers.

Tzuyu raised a pretty eyebrow, dropping her arms. "Fine, if you say so, but I'll be watching you," she said walking back to her section.

Sophia's shoulders slumped, her breath coming out in a whoosh of air. "That was close, why is she so freaking quiet" she clutched at her chest. "I can't live like this, I'd get high blood pressure before I'm forty" she murmured, glancing at Lennox's office. Why wasn't he around, it was weird. Sophia also half-expected the cops to come in any minute to have her arrested.

Sophia stood up, deciding to go to the Cafe. The ride down the elevator made her feel more exhausted. Lennox was unpredictable, so it was hard to know how he'd choose to handle a break-in...

Sophia stepped out of the elevator bumping into someone. She stumbled back with an oomph, but the guy caught hold of her hand in time, saving her from landing on her ass. Sophia gazed up at the wall she'd bumped into, her eyes widening as they connected with those of Jonathan's.

"Sophia, wow, it's been a while since I saw that wavy hair and grey eyes of yours," he said with a smile that touched his eyes.

Sophia smiled nodding as she pulled her hands from his. "Well, I'm with Mr. Lennox now, so I don't have much time on my hand".

Jonathan pursed his lip. "I might have an idea of what you're going through, cause Mr. Lennox is not an easy guy to work with... Will you like to have lunch with me" he asked all of a sudden surprising her.

Sophia stared, her mouth working. "What?"

"You don't have plans do you?" He asked like it was the most natural thing for him to ask her out.

"I don't, but..." She faltered as he took hold of her hand.

"Let's go then" he ordered, dragging her along before she could protest.

Andria watched them go, her heart twisting in her chest as she saw them holding hands. Andria didn't want to think the worst, but it was weird that they suddenly looked like they were close friends.

*********

Sophia picked at her food, feeling nervous as Jonathan watched her every move.

"What's the secret Sophia, you keep getting prettier each time I see you" he murmured, making Sophia's gaze perk up.

"I believe that'll be because I sleep well, and I'm optimistic" she picked up a bacon strip, munching as her brows furrowed. "But you're being weird, you never pay me this much compliment".

Jonathan waved her words off. "Don't be like that Sophia, we've known each other for how long, since college..."

"We?" Sophia cut in. "You graduated two years ahead of me, so we are not that close".

Jonathan smiled, steepling his fingers together. "Good memory Sophia... Fine I'll go straight to the point, I need your help with Mr. Lennox".

"Sorry can't do, you do know the type of man he is right, he doesn't listen to a thing I say because he never wanted me as his assistant in the first place, and rule number fifty says, no asking of favors from the boss on behalf of self or a third party, so, that's pretty much it".

Jonathan stared at her unbelievably. "He gave you rules?"

"You don't know the half of it, I'm not even supposed to use the elevator, but I've managed to cancel that one out".

Jonathan shook his head. "You've got to be kidding right?"...

"I wish I was, but it is what it is" Sophia got out, shrugging.

Jonathan sat back, exhaling. "Well that was an eye-opener. It's nice to catch up Sophia, there's never a dull moment with you".

Sophia dropped her fork abruptly, glaring at him. "Enough with the compliments, shouldn't it be Andria getting those instead, or is she boring you out?".

Jonathan cleared his throat, his surprise written all over his face. "You know about us, she told you," he asked, leaning closer.

"I figured it out myself, but she confessed recently... Why are you having lunch with me when you could be eating with her."

Jonathan sighed. "I wanted to, but we had a fight, so I'm trying to give her some space to cool down before I try to resolve our issues. I don't want us to break up just because I'm too clingy".

Sophia smacked her hands on the table making him jump in shock. "What the hell is space, how long have y'all been dating that you don't know that if there's anything Andria hate, is her love interest giving her space. Apologize to her, take her out and prove your love for her, that's what'll make her forgive you".

Jonathan laughed, making Sophia's eyes widen. "That was so touching, but I can't take relationship advice from you, you know why, because you've never been in any relationship," he said, daring her to deny it. Sophia clenched her mouth shut, letting the jab pass over her head.

"That was not necessary, I was just trying to help, and I'm not dating not for my lack of trying. I have work you know" Sophia defended hotly drawing attention before lowering her voice.

Jonathan just looked amused, infuriating her further. "You always blame it on work, if work was a living creature, it would have smacked you in the face," he said lightly, making her smirk.

"Not a Worthy opponent if it's just going to smack me, I was thinking a full-fledged war or something".

"The moral of this lesson is try to get a boyfriend, and stop blaming work," he said, his voice serious.

Sophia nodded tiredly. "Fine, I'll try to get one and run it by you once I succeed".

"That's a promise," he said, pointing a finger in her face. Sophia slapped it off, shaking her head at his antics before digging back into her food.

*****

Sana yawned, earning an amused laugh from Bianca.

"You look wasted" she pointed out.

"I don't only look it, I feel it too" she muttered craning her neck, before stretching her back. "We're not as lucky as Sophia who doesn't have to worry about the competition to receive a double paycheck".

"She deserves it you know, she's been working for so long for this company, they did her dirty by making her work as an assistant, and we both know how tough Lennox is" Bianca defended.

Sana stared up at her. "You're right, I shouldn't have said that, it's just that work has been hectic lately, so I'm venting".

Sophia walked towards them, dropping the four packs of smoothies in the middle of the desk they were seating around.

"I brought lunch" she announced smiling. Sana gave a tight-lipped smile.

"You shouldn't have, we already ate".

Sophia frowned, her upper lip jutting out. "I had to wait in line to get this tho... Well it doesn't matter, y'all will feel hungry later, so where are we crashing tonight for the girl's night out?" Sophia asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Sana and Bianca stared at each other wearily.

"We won't be having a night out" Andria's voice boomed startling the three of them. They jerked to face her.

Sophia spluttered, her gaze slipping between her friends. "What's wrong, it looks like you all are mad at me".

Sana sighed standing up. "We're not mad Sophia, we just feel that now is not the time to have a night out anymore..."

"And that's not just it Sophia" Andria cut in, her voice harsh. "We have the competition your boss gave to us, yet you keep distracting us with all your foolish problems" she fired making Sophia wince.

"Andria, you know that is not true..."

"Not true? You kept us up yesterday because you went and got yourself into trouble, did you know how worried we were" she paused, rubbing her head as if she'd suddenly developed a traumatic migraine. "You know what it is that is going to happen to anyone of us who fails to meet up with Mr. Lennox's profit quota, and you don't have to worry about that, so I think you should stop acting up. Leave us alone to concentrate on our work" she snapped, her eyes afire. Sana and Andria watched the exchange, their throat working.

Sophia stared at Andria wondering what had brought out the hostility she was displaying.