The evening stars

We're going to Italy

The Sunday evening turned out to be calm. After an emotionally intense week, Sophie decided to spend her time the way she always enjoyed — at the ice rink. Gliding on the ice, she momentarily forgot all her worries. Here, on the ice rink, she felt like herself, away from all the problems with Alex and from all the questions that were tearing her apart inside.

After the skating rink, Sophie returned home, took a warm shower, and changed into her cozy pajamas. She decided to have a "comfort evening" — she ordered pizza, bought her favorite strawberry and chocolate ice cream, and settled down on the couch in front of the television. In the background, an old movie was playing, one she had seen a thousand times but never paid much attention to.

Sophie was sitting, leaning back against the cushions, and slowly eating ice cream. Spoon by spoon, she tried to distract herself from thoughts of Alex. In her mind, their last conversation replayed over and over, her scream, his disappointment. "Maybe I acted too harshly?" — flashed through her mind. But then another thought came to mind: "How could he think so lowly of me?" Emotions intertwined with reason, and no solution ever emerged.

When Monday morning arrived, Sophie got out of bed with a sense of heaviness. Memories of Saturday night with Alex still troubled her, but she understood that today she faced a long workday. Dressed in a black suit and gathering her hair into a familiar low ponytail, Sophie looked at her reflection in the mirror. In her eyes was weariness, but she was ready to move forward, step by step.

On her way to work, Sophie suddenly remembered Stephen. She realized that she hadn't even written him a word after leaving the club with Alex. She was overcome by a slight sense of guilt. He did nothing to deserve such treatment, but she was too caught up in her thoughts and feelings.

— I need to apologize, — she thought, quickly touching up her makeup.

When Sophie entered her office building, the familiar smell of coffee and the rustle of papers instantly calmed her. She walked down the hallway, greeted her colleagues, trying to hide her tension, and finally entered her office.

On Sophie's desk stood a small box, designed so stylishly that it immediately caught her attention. On the lid, in neat letters, was written "ROSSI" — Stephen's last name. Smiling, Sophie immediately realized that it was a gift from him. As she opened the box, she felt a slight thrill—something special inside.

She carefully lifted the lid and saw a note on elegant paper:

"I thought this would suit you better than a dust cloth."

Under the note, she found a luxurious silk scarf with an exquisite pattern, which was from the latest collection of their family brand. The scarf felt soft to the touch, and Sophie couldn't contain the wave of warmth and gratitude that washed over her. It wasn't just a gift — it was a gesture that made her feel special.

She immediately threw a scarf around her neck, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Her inner world brightened a bit, and deciding not to postpone her gratitude, she headed to Stephen's office. A little nervous, Sophie knocked on his door and, hearing permission to enter, slowly walked inside.

Stephen was sitting at the table, with a casual smile, when he saw her. He had a tablet in his hands, but he set it aside as soon as she came closer.

— Thank you for the gift, — Sophie began somewhat hesitantly, adjusting the scarf around her neck. — Very beautiful.

— You look great in that, — Stephen replied, leaning back in his chair and appraising her.

— Is this your brand, right? — she clarified, although the answer was obvious.

— Well, I think my last name on the logo hints at that, — he laughed. His light, almost playful manner instantly infected her, and Sophie smiled too.

A warm atmosphere hung in the office, filled with a light, friendly playfulness. Stephen, still smiling, gently took her hand, his fingertips brushing against her palm, and asked in a more serious tone:

— How are you?

Sophie sighed, knowing that sooner or later this question would come up, and that Stephen truly cared about what was happening to her.

— That's fine, — she replied, although she felt that this was far from the whole truth.

Stephen raised his eyebrows, expressing interest but not pressing her.

— Tell me. I care, — his voice was soft, but there was so much concern in it that Sophie couldn't hold back.

— Alex asked if I had slept with you, — she blurted out, pressing her lips together. These words resonated in her memory like a fresh wound.

Stephen was surprised, but he didn't show it openly. He was calm, although something restless flickered behind his eyes.

— Wow... and what did you tell him?

Sophie cast her gaze down at the floor, trying to make sense of everything that had happened all over again.

— The truth. And I kicked him out of the apartment.

Stephen snorted, as if he were contemplating her answer.

— That's fair, — he nodded, with a hint of understanding in his voice. — And what are you planning to do next?

Sophie took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the table opposite Stephen, crossing her arms over her chest.

— I don't know, — she admitted, her voice a little quieter, almost as if she were speaking to herself. — I'm not sure I can continue any kind of relationship with him; it's all too complicated. Divorce, Sam, his family... I don't want my happiness to be built on someone else's pain.

Stephen nodded silently, holding her gaze.

Sophie sat across from Steven in his office, listening as he casually tossed out a phrase that made her heart stop.

— By the way, we're going to Italy, — he said with a slight smile, as if he had just told her that they would be having lunch together.

— By the way? — Sophie asked again, raising an eyebrow. She didn't expect this and was completely unprepared for such news. Her thoughts instantly began to race, trying to grasp what this could mean.

— I just decided to introduce you to my parents, — Stephen said calmly and confidently, as usual, as if he had no idea about her inner turmoil.

— Are you serious? — Sophie felt her heart start to race a little faster. To meet his parents? It wasn't just a meeting to discuss work; it felt like something much more personal.

— Yes, absolutely, — Stephen confirmed, continuing to look at her. His eyes sparkled with kindness and a hint of excitement, as if he was eagerly anticipating her reaction.

— Don't you think this doesn't quite fit our rule of "not rushing"? — Sophie asked cautiously, trying to understand what was behind this suggestion. She didn't want to take hasty steps, especially after what happened with Alex. She was still trying to figure herself out and what she wanted from this relationship.

— Come on, Sophie, — Steven laughed, his laughter light and carefree, as if he wanted to dispel her doubts. — My parents suggested creating an advertisement for the brand in a magazine because they are entering the American market.

— Wow, congratulations, — Sophie exhaled, realizing that this might be more related to work than she had thought. However, she still couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more here.

— I'm not involved in this at all, it's all them, — Stephen waved his hand as if it weren't that important. But Sophie saw pride for his family in his eyes.

— But this is your family, — she continued cautiously, — you never know how things will turn out.

— That's why I want you to come with me, — Stephen said softly, moving closer to her again. — It will be a long journey. We will need to discuss matters and take photos for the magazine. We will be living in my parents' house, so you will be comfortable there.

Sophie relaxed a little, but her inner voice still whispered to her that she should be more careful. The trip to Italy, meeting his parents — it all seemed too serious. But, on the other hand, she understood that this was part of her job, and professional interests were an integral part of it.

— Of course, I will go with you, — she said, feeling a mix of confidence and caution in her voice. — This is my job.

Stephen smiled, but a spark appeared in his eyes that suggested he was expecting something more. He slowly rose from his chair and approached her closer, his gaze becoming even softer, and his smile warmer.

— Actually, I was expecting a different answer, — he said quietly, leaning closer to her face, his breath felt on her lips.

Sophie felt her heart skip a beat. She knew that there was a spark between them, and now Stephen was doing everything to turn that spark into something more.

— I want to go with you, — she finally exhaled, her voice a little quieter, but she knew that Stephen heard everything he needed to.

He gently took her by the chin and pulled her closer, his touch was tender and confident. Their lips met, and Sophie felt all the tension she had been experiencing just a minute ago dissolve in that kiss. There was something soothing about it, something that told her she could allow herself to relax and trust in this relationship.

The kiss was soft, without haste. Stephen clearly wanted to show her that he was ready to wait and move forward only when she was ready for it. When they pulled away, he held her face in his hands for a few more seconds, as if he didn't want to let go.

— I'm glad you agreed, — he said, his eyes still sparkling. — I am sure that this trip will be beneficial for both of us.