The evening stars

Best friend

Left alone in the apartment, Sophie slowly sank into the thoughts that had long tormented her. The silence spreading through the room only emphasized her inner anxiety. She hugged her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, and stared at a single point, trying to sort out her feelings. Her thoughts wandered between recent events, Alex, Rachel, and Samantha. All these people who became a part of her life now seem to have vanished, leaving behind only emptiness and doubts.

"Do I love him?" – this thought wouldn't leave Sophie alone. She recalled all the moments spent with Alex: his warm touches, promises, and kisses. But what if her feelings are just an attempt to fill the emptiness that was in her life before him? Was it true love, or did her attachment to Alex become an escape from loneliness?

She was tormented even more by guilt. The blame for destroying someone's family, taking a father away from a little girl, and now Samantha is suffering because of it. "Maybe I shouldn't have acted that way..." "Maybe all of this is a mistake..." Sophie couldn't stop thinking about how her relationship with Alex had affected everyone around them. She didn't want to be the cause of pain, yet she found herself at the center of this complicated, tangled triangle.

The phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. Sophie glanced at the screen: Nigel was calling.

— Hi, how are you? — he asked with concern in his voice, his voice familiar and warm, as if bringing her back to reality.

— I'm feeling terrible, — Sophie replied softly, not trying to hide her feelings.

— Hey, what's up with you? We haven't talked much lately, and we need to fix that. Are you okay at all?

Sophie hesitated for a moment. She knew that Nigel could always support her, but it was hard for her to talk about what was going on in her head right now.

— Yes, you're probably right, — she finally said. — Come over to my place, I'm home anyway.

— Great, I'm on my way, — Nigel replied with a smile, trying to lift her spirits with his optimism.

An hour later, Nigel was standing at the threshold of her apartment. He hugged her, as always, warmly and tightly, as if he wanted to convey all his support to her. Sophie relaxed a bit, feeling his care, but still couldn't shake off the oppressive thoughts.

— What's going on here? — he asked, stepping into the living room and surveying its mess. — What, have you decided to go underground?

— Something like that, — Sophie smirked, but there was no joy in her smile.

Nigel sat on the couch, looking at her intently. He immediately noticed that something was off. Sophie looked tired, gaunt, and her eyes reflected an inner struggle that she clearly couldn't win on her own.

— Sophie, what happened? You haven't seemed like yourself lately. You hardly answer calls, you don't leave the house... You can't keep going on like this, — he began gently, pouring himself coffee from the pot that stood on the table.

Sophie shrugged.

— I just... don't know, Nigel. Everything is too tangled up. I... feel guilty. For all of this. For Alex, for Rachel, for Samantha. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved in their lives. Maybe I ruined everything after all.

Nigel frowned as he took a sip from his cup.

— Are you serious? Sophie, you are not to blame. Their marriage was doomed long before you appeared on the horizon. Do you really think that everything depended solely on you?

— I don't know... I just feel that things have only gotten worse for everyone right now.

— That's not true, — Nigel said confidently. — You can't take the blame for all of this. You have the right to be happy. Alex made his choice, and you shouldn't have to pay for his problems.

Sophie sighed heavily, her eyes filled with tears.

— Maybe you should consider changing jobs? — Nigel suggested unexpectedly, trying to shift her focus to something more constructive.

— Why? — Sophie wondered, looking up at him.

— Well, I don't know... Changing the environment always helps to distract oneself. You are too fixated on Alex's problems, and it shouldn't upset you like this. A new challenge, a new place – it's always a good beginning.

— And who can I work for? I was just a teacher. "Except for working as an assistant to the manager in the office during college breaks," she said thoughtfully.

Nigel raised his eyebrows in surprise.

— Were you an executive assistant? — he asked again with genuine interest.

Sophie gently nudged him in the shoulder, smiling.

— Why are you so surprised? Yes, that was a long time ago.

— Nothing special, our editor-in-chief just needs a personal assistant, — Nigel replied with a smirk, illuminated by a sudden idea.

— They probably won't take me; they need someone with work experience.

— You have experience! I'll put in a good word for you; the editor and I are on friendly terms. Consider it a done deal.

Sophie looked at him skeptically.

— Are you serious?

— Absolutely, — Nigel replied confidently. — You can go ahead and write your resignation letter while you're on sick leave. Our salary is definitely higher than at school.

Sophie suddenly felt her heart fill with gratitude and relief. It was an unexpected, but much-needed support for her.

— I don't even know how to thank you, Nigel. "You always know how to help," she said, feeling her emotional burden lift a little.

Nigel smiled as he finished his coffee.

— Your beautiful smile will be enough.

Sophie easily embraced him, pressing her cheek against his shoulder, and softly whispered:

— You are the best friend.

Now she knew that, despite everything, she had someone she could rely on.

Sophie was sitting on the couch, fiddling with an empty coffee mug, when Nigel spoke up:

— I know it's tough for you right now, but I believe this job will be a great new beginning for you. Can you come tomorrow to meet the editor-in-chief? How's your leg doing? — he asked, nodding towards her leg.

— It's already better, — Sophie replied with a slight smile. — I think I can make it. How should I look? Suddenly, everyone there is wearing designer suits, and I'll look like a sore thumb in my school dress.

Nigel laughed, waving his hand.

— Just be yourself, you can charm anyone with just your face.

Sophie smiled too, although she still felt a slight nervousness. Working at a fashion magazine is nothing like what she was used to in school.

— Alright, — she said, leaning slightly forward. — Tell me about your editor-in-chief. I should be ready for this so I don't make a fool of myself.

Nigel stared thoughtfully at the ceiling for a moment, then began with his usual smile:

— Well, his name is Steven. He is 32, about a head taller than you, with chestnut hair and blue eyes...

Sophie snorted and, unable to hold back, laughed.

— Oh my god, Nigel, I asked what he's like at work, not what he looks like!

Nigel laughed along with her, rubbed his nose, and added:

— Okay, fine, fine. But besides being a handsome guy, as you already figured out — he winked at her — Stephen is also a great leader. Our magazine has become the best-selling fashion publication in Chicago during its time in operation.

Sophie nodded thoughtfully.

— Wow, he really seems to be cool. I wonder what he will be like at the meeting...

— Yes, that's right. He is demanding but fair. If you do your job well, he will support you one hundred percent. Don't worry, you'll manage. — Nigel got up and stretched. — Well, I'm going home. See you tomorrow, — he said, ruffling Sky's head as she approached him, happily wagging her tail.

— Thank you for always being there, Nigel. I would have gone crazy without you, — Sophie said, getting up from the couch and walking to the door.

They hugged goodbye, and Sophie lingered for a moment in his warm embrace, feeling that she could breathe fully again.

— The main thing is, don't worry. Come to the office tomorrow at 12, and everything will be great, — said Nigel, letting her go and heading towards the exit.

— Alright, — she replied with a confidence she hadn't felt inside herself for a long time. — Thank you, Nigel. You are the best.

— Always at your service, — he winked as he said goodbye and left Sophie alone in the silence. But this time she felt lighter.