Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Sophia stepped out of Bianca's apartment, wearing the spares that Bianca had grudgingly given to her after throwing a tantrum that they were her favorite pair.

"I don't understand why you're up so early, and accompanying me to work, I thought you quit" Bianca huffed, then stared at Sophia who was gently bouncing on her feet. "You quit right?" She asked narrowing her eyes.

"I did and I didn't. Don't scold me yet" she rushed out as Bianca opened her mouth. "I've been working so hard Bianca, and what? I'm just going to let all that hard work go down the drain. I should be professional about this and not let my personal feelings cloud my decisions, yes he was wrong to call my mother crazy, but it's not like I haven't had the worst bosses, however" she paused as Bianca shook her head, and massaged her temple while radiating frustration.

"I don't understand you at all... You won't quit until he pushes you off the top floor and ends your life right. You of all people should know that you can't change someone except they're willing to change".

Sophia stared at Bianca before inhaling deeply. "Mr. Lennox is just hurting ok, I've been thinking a lot about it and he looked really sad on that day".

Bianca smacked her forehead and seethed. "You must really not know the difference between sad and angry".

"Whatever! I've got to get to work before he replaces me with some other person" Sophia got out, frowning as she aired the thought that had been bothering her.

Bianca exhaled, giving her a dismissive wave. "Do what you want, I don't care... Let's have steak and vodka after work yeah".

Sophia grinned. "Of course, let's do that".

Bianca's lips twitched as she turned to walk past her, then she froze her face blanching in horror. Sophia made to step towards her.

"Mr. Lennox" Bianca choked out, and the two words had Sophia's head whipping around to see him standing there. Sophia gasped, her hands flying over her mouth. She filtered through her conversation with Bianca, analyzing it from every angle. Had they called him names? Cursed at him? Why was her brain coming up blank and how the hell didn't they notice him just standing there beside his car. Sophia looked closely, noticing how extremely boyish he looked in casual clothing, his hair which was usually styled was all messy.

It was as if he hadn't bothered to tame it as he rolled out of bed, for the love of God the man managed to look younger and sexier in casual wear and all mysterious, broody, and ruggedly handsome in his custom made suit. Sophia stared at his thick brows and dark lashes, his black eyes were hidden behind sexy reading glasses that made her think of sex in the Library, and those lips, lord have mercy, they were so full that they made her lip tingle with wonder. How would it feel if he suddenly walked towards her, jerked her by the hip, and kissed her? Sophia jolted, her cheek flushing because Lennox was staring at her and had probably caught her ogling him.

Sophia looked away from him resisting the urge to smack her face as she mentally screamed and ripped her dress for her indiscretions. "Oh my gosh, you just had to stare at him like you wanted to eat him didn't you? So you're just going to forget everything he did or said just because he's hot. Get your freaking shit together Sophia, stop thinking about your boss's lips that do not appeal to you whatsoever. Ugh".

Sophia turned to face him, swallowing audibly.

Bianca clutched at her bag, her knuckles whitening. "Mr. Lennox, what are you doing here, in my house?" She asked, her eyes darting towards Sophia and they practically screamed we're doomed.

He took a step closer. "I came to see Sophia. I asked around and found out she was here".

Sophia's eyes widened. He was looking for her, why. Her heart jerked. Could it be? She gasped internally, her eyes widening in horror. Did he finally figure out that she'd been the one to break into his house? What a worse time to run out of luck. Sophia clenched her fists as she looked at Bianca.

Bianca's eyes screamed 'you're screwed' as she met Sophia's gaze. Bianca forced a laugh, turning to face Lennox. "I'll leave you two to talk then... And Mr. Lennox, I just want you to know that you're the best director I've worked for so far, so be rest assured that you'll always have my support. I promise to work hard and give you my blood sweat and tears. All the best!" she said, almost breaking her back from how abrupt her bowing was.

Sophia stared at her, freezing at the obvious display of respect from Bianca who badmouthed Lennox any chance she got. Wow, was this how humans were?.

"I'll leave you two to talk then," she said, rushing off to hail a taxi before glancing at Sophia apologetically.

Sophia forced her lips closed as she turned to face Lennox. Her heart hammered as the silence dragged. "I didn't mean to..."

She began at the same time as Lennox. "I'm sorry for breaking your phone" he paused waiting for her to say what she had wanted to say.

Sophia frowned, her brows creasing. What was this? Lennox was here to apologize, and not about the break-in. Damn, way to shoot yourself in the foot Sophia, that was so close, she told herself, exhaling, and clutching at her heart. Sophia glanced up at Lennox to see him staring at her expectantly. "You go first, I don't have anything to say" she got out shakily.

"I came to apologize for my actions Sophia, I've not been a good boss to you or the others and you were right about everything you said. I have no excuses, but I want you to keep working with me until your contract expires". He said, his gaze sincere.

Sophia crossed her arms, thinking hard. The nerve, he was even calling her by her name now, but he had made it sound so sexy. Sophia frowned, snapping out of whatever it was that made her thoughts spiral out of control whenever Lennox was around. Her brain worked furiously, he hadn't found out who broke into his apartment so she had nothing to worry about. Yet. And he was here apologizing which meant her plan to be the best assistant he'd ever had was moving in the right direction, just a few months more and she would have her revenge, so wasn't it better to milk this sought of opportunity being presented to her for all it was worth. She nodded to herself, coming to a decision.

"You think you'll just apologize and that's it. I quit Mr. Lennox, there's nothing you can say to bring me back" she said, with an air of indifference. Was that too much, would he just shrug and leave. Sophia worried, her gaze fixed on every reaction he made.

Lennox frowned, pushing a finger through his hair. "But you just told Bianca that you were coming back to work".

Sophia's breath hitched. Oh, he heard that, and Just how much of their conversation did he hear. She shrugged, jutting her chin slightly. "Well, seeing you suddenly made me remember why I wanted to quit in the first place. I don't want to work for someone whose overbearing and..." She stopped because Lennox had moved closer to her, and a look of determination crossed his face as he pushed his hand into his pocket.

"I know you don't want to quit, so tell me what it is you want me to do to get you to come back".

Sophia's eyes widened. Just like that, he'd figured out her plan in some seconds. Sophia cleared her throat, forcing herself to appear unbothered.

"That's very presumptuous of you but fine, I'll give you my three conditions," she said and he nodded, his lips pursing and drawing her attention. Focus Sophia, for goodness sake!. "The first condition is for you to call off the competition, we are all trying our best to make this company the best in the country, and those managers have been the backbone of this company for years, so I don't think it's fair for you to fire them, just because they failed to meet up with your price quota" she forced out, swallowing as she got no reaction from him. "Second condition, the no sound curfew you imposed on your workers should be canceled, not being able to communicate stifles the work atmosphere and it gets depressing and the last condition". Kiss me, Mr... Lennox. Sophia groaned at the direction of her thoughts, for the love of God! She was most definitely coming down with the flu, but he was so damn distracting and she didn't even like him in that manner. "Be nicer to me and tell me about yourself. I want to know who I'm working for".

The last bit got his attention, but Sophia didn't expect him to react so strongly to it.

"You don't need to know about me to do your job, Miss Sophia. I'll grant the first condition, and I'll try to be nicer, I'll also relent on the sound curfew, but I pay my workers to work and not to talk". He replied curtly.

Sophia nodded, deciding to take what she could get. He could have refused to even do one or decide that she wasn't worth his effort after all.

"I'll come back to work then".

Lennox stepped closer making Sophia nervous because the space between them was growing thinner, and her skin was starting to feel warmer and funny. Sophia uncrossed her arms, bringing them up before thinking better of it and letting them hang loosely by her side. It wasn't rooting enough, so she grabbed her bag strapped as she forced herself to stay in her spot.

"I also have a condition" he whispered darkly, making her stomach dip dangerously on itself. She perspired as she waited, her mouth getting dry which forced her to lick on them nervously. Lennox's gaze slipped to them and if she felt warm before, she fucking burned at the intensity of his stare. He dragged his eyes away, and when his eyes met hers, he looked conflicted. or was it anger.

"Why?".

"Because you said you'd never leave until your contract was up, yet you did".

Sophia stared at him. Was he hurt? Did her actions hurt him?. Sophia frowned, wondering why it even affected her.

"What do you want then," she asked, her heart racing as his eyes darkened and he leaned even closer.

"I want....".