Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Sophia sat staring at her schedule pad in the board room as the manager of each department took their turn to present the progress they had made so far and how their technique had affected their sales but she couldn't listen and she didn't want to look at Lennox either, or at Sana or Andria who looked like she'd lost a lot of pound in just a few weeks of the competition.

Sophia didn't want to pity her and it got easier since she was seething internally at Lennox.

How dare he tell her to her face that the kiss had been a mistake, and that he only wanted a working relationship. Why kiss her at all in the first place if he was going to call it a mistake later on. Sophia hated him, yeah, the thin line between love and hate was suddenly very real to her, especially not after she witnessed the pretty model hanging on his arm like she belonged there, and he'd also allowed her to kiss him but he had pushed her off when she'd tried to.

Sophia glanced in his direction and his gaze connected with hers making her quickly look away, but then her gaze clashed with Andria who looked pale as death. Sophia was leaning over to ask if she was alright but she managed to stop in time.

Sophia turned to face Oliver and Sana and there was something about them that she couldn't put her finger on. For once Oliver wasn't spacing off and he'd actually prepared an actual presentation, and as he spoke about their department's success to Lennox, he kept glancing at Sana as if seeking her praise, or approval, or whatever it was he was searching for. It was weird, because Sana seemed like a boss all of a sudden, and Oliver was like a little puppy wagging its tail for its master's petting.

Sophia glanced at Bianca who looked chilled, a lazy smile on her lips because she knew the competition was off and hadn't worked too hard like the other, but Sophia could agree their sales were pretty decent.

Sophia glanced at Lennox again, unable to help herself even as she berated herself for weakness, but it was hard to just hate him alone.

Her phone pinged up and she read the message from Bianca.

*Why are you glaring at the boss, I thought you loved him this morning. Y'all already fighting on your day one".

Sophia sighed, then started typing furiously. "There was no 'day one' cause he said he made a stupid mistake by kissing me and then my day got ruined further because Jenny Mark, that famous model who's rocking the fashion industry right now was hanging on his arms and kissing his cheeks and he seemed really into it. I hate him so much. HE IS SUCH A JERK* she typed then hit send.

Bianca gasped as she read through drawing attention to herself. She quickly covered it with a cough, apologizing for the interruption.

Sophia remained sullen until her phone pinged.

*That's insane. So are they dating each other because the investigation done on him didn't say he was dating anyone, or was he that discreet about it?*

*I asked around. I know, pathetic of me, but I just had to know about my competition and I heard she's been his friend for a long time, but that's where all that ends, cause they don't know anything past that*

*So what are you going to do now. Are you going to give up your love? I know you started all these as a revenge plan but you fell in love, are you going to let some girl from nowhere take him away from you*

*He doesn't even want to be mine, so what's the point of fighting. I'm angry, drained, and I think I'm gonna faint if I have to go through this shattering heartbreak again* she hit send then gasped, jumping to her feet when she noticed that she'd sent the message to the group chat she'd created for her friends and her.

"Sophia, are you alright," Lennox asked, looking worried. It drew Sophia's attention and she wondered why he had to send so much mixed signals. She nodded smiling nervously as she watched Sana and Andria check their phone.

Sophia wanted to smack herself in the face as she sat down. Bianca gave her the WTF look, with a glare to back it up.

Sana* you got your heart broken? who was that guy cause I'm going to destroy him for hurting you*?

*Can you just ignore the message, Sophia sent it by mistake, so you don't need to reply, besides, only me and Sophia are still friends. You and ghost girl can go jump off a Cliff* Bianca's message popped on my screen giving Sophia anxiety.

*Why are you coming at me, Bianca. Angry I made more sales than your department did*

*Why would I be mad when you had to work 24/7 just to reach that quota, while I did mine without snapping a finger*

*I find that hard to believe*.

*Y'all sir Lennox and the bosses are staring at you* Andria's text popped making them jerk to face the gaze of their bosses.

Bianca paled, almost as Andria as Jonah glared at her. Sophia glanced at Oliver who looked uncomfortable, then at Lennox who was staring at them in his usual way, cold and detached.

Sophia's eyes collided with Lennox and she quickly avoided his gaze, feeling chastised for her behavior even tho he didn't say anything to that effect.

Lennox cleared his throat. "I'm really impressed about the progress you all made in your department, despite the short time frame that was stipulated for the competition, and even tho one of the departments failed to meet the stipulated quota, I want you to know that no one is getting laid off today".

Andria almost slumped in her seat, then her eyes teared up as she looked towards Lennox like he was her salvation.

"Everyone would be getting a reward for putting In their best, some more than others. I hope you all can continue working hard for the betterment of the company".

The bosses all smiled at one another, the tension draining from the room.

"Thanks, Mr. Lennox, you will not regret your decision. We'll make sure to work harder and meet up with the others".

Lennox smiled, and Sophia couldn't help but smile too, because his smile, a rare occurrence always made her feel giddy inside, especially if it was genuine.

"I'll hold you to that promise... And for the assistants, for supporting your bosses and helping them through the competition, you'll be getting a raise in salary".

They all clapped, cheering happily. "Thank you, sir Lennox. You're the best boss ever" Bianca said happily, and Sana nodded, both of them smiling at each other, forgetting their fight for once.

"This meeting is over. I hope in the next meeting, the percentage of sales will be higher".

"Yes, boss" they all chorused.

Lennox glanced at Sophia as he stood up from his seat. Sophia followed him, holding the door open for him to go out. He stopped beside her and was about to say something when someone slumped behind them.

Sophia jerked around, and when she saw Andria on the floor, sickly pale and unconscious, she ran towards her, forgetting all about her fight and hating herself for not paying attention sooner.