Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 44: She Really Is Something Else

They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment. But as the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, the reality of the day ahead began to settle in. Sophia had to go to work, and they both knew the delicate balance they had to maintain. She was determined to build her career without anyone knowing the full extent of their relationship, especially now that Alexander was the chairman.

As they prepared to leave for the day, Alexander insisted on driving Sophia to work. She agreed but made him promise to drop her off far from the office, where no one would see them together. He chuckled at her insistence but complied, understanding her desire to maintain her independence at Allure Fashion.

As they neared the drop-off point, Alexander pulled over to a quiet street several blocks away from the company. Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him, smiling.

“Thank you for the ride, honey,” she said, leaning over to give him a quick peck on the cheek before opening the door to step out.

But just as she was about to walk away, Alexander called out, “Honey, wait! You forgot something.”

Sophia froze mid-step and turned back, peering around cautiously to ensure no one was nearby before quickly heading back to the car. She leaned in through the window, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“What did I forget?” she asked, glancing around to make sure no one had noticed her running back to the car.

Alexander’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he leaned closer to her. “You forgot to kiss me goodbye,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Sophia’s eyes widened, her lips parting in disbelief. She shook her head, laughing softly. “I can’t believe you!”

But even as she said it, her heart fluttered with warmth at his playful gesture. She quickly leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “There, happy now?” she whispered.

Before Alexander could answer, she pulled back and hurriedly glanced around again, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She gave him one last look, and with a shy smile, she darted away from the car as if she had just stolen something, her hurried steps making her seem both playful and slightly panicked.

Alexander watched her, shaking his head in amusement. She was still so adorably secretive about their relationship, and it only made him love her more. He watched her retreating figure, his heart swelling with affection for the woman who had completely captured his heart.

“She really is something else,” Alexander muttered to himself with a fond smile, feeling even more in love than before.

Sophia arrived at Allure Fashion with a renewed sense of purpose. The events of the past night still lingered in her mind—Alexander’s heartfelt apology, the beautifully crafted rings, and their intimate moments together. She felt closer to him than ever before, even though their relationship remained a secret at work. That secrecy, however, didn't bother her as much anymore; if anything, it allowed her to prove her worth on her own terms. She was determined to succeed without anyone suspecting the connection between her and the powerful chairman.

As she entered the office building, she was greeted by the familiar bustle of Allure Fashion, where designers were hard at work preparing for the selection process to represent the company in the prestigious international fashion competition. Securing the chance to represent Allure Fashion on such a global stage would be a career-defining opportunity, and Sophia knew this was her moment to shine. She was fully immersed in her role, leading the design team with confidence and precision.

Her office was neatly organized, filled with mood boards, fabric swatches, and sketches. Sophia sat down at her desk, her focus immediately shifting to preparing her best work for the internal selection. The competition was tough—several top designers within Allure were vying for the same chance. Sophia thrived under this pressure, knowing that her vision and leadership could set her apart.

As she reviewed the designs, her thoughts briefly wandered to Alexander. Even though she had warned him not to let anyone at the company know about their relationship, it was becoming harder to keep her emotions in check. Every time she thought of him, she found herself smiling involuntarily. She chuckled softly, remembering his playful demand for a goodbye kiss earlier that morning. It was these little moments that made her realize how deeply she had fallen for him.

Before she could lose herself completely in her thoughts, her assistant, Emily, knocked on the door and walked in, holding a few documents.

“Sophia, I’ve finalized the materials list for the designs you’ve been working on,” Emily said, handing the papers over. “We’re still waiting for confirmation on a few international suppliers, but everything looks solid.”

Sophia glanced through the list, nodding approvingly. “This looks great, Emily. I’m impressed with how quickly we’re moving. Keep following up with those suppliers—I don’t want any delays.”

“Will do!” Emily said with a smile before leaving the office.

Sophia turned her attention back to the sketches laid out in front of her. The chance to represent Allure Fashion in such a high-profile competition was a dream come true, and she was confident in her ability to lead her team to success. Still, she knew this was a pivotal moment in her career. Securing this opportunity would establish her as a formidable name in the fashion industry, and she was determined to give it her all.

Hours passed as she worked tirelessly, reviewing designs, offering feedback, and refining her own contributions. Her passion for fashion drove her, and the weight of the upcoming selection process only added to her determination.

---

As the day wore on, Sophia received an unexpected visitor—Larry Gilbert. She was slightly taken aback when she saw him, as he hadn’t informed her he was coming. Nevertheless, she welcomed him with a warm smile.

“Sophia, I hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” Larry said, his tone casual yet polite. “I was in the area and thought I’d drop by.”

Sophia shook her head, gesturing for him to sit down. “Not at all. I could use a break, actually.”

Larry took a seat across from her, glancing around the office with a curious expression. “I’ve always admired your work ethic. It’s clear you’re passionate about what you do.”

“Thanks,” Sophia replied, leaning back in her chair. “There’s a lot of pressure with the upcoming selection, but I enjoy the challenge.”

Larry smiled, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he spoke again. “You know, I think you’re going to do great. You’ve got the talent, the vision, and the determination. It’s just a matter of time before everyone recognizes that.”

Sophia felt a flutter of warmth at his words, grateful for his support. Their friendship had grown unexpectedly deep over the past few weeks. While she was still cautious around him, Larry had become someone she could talk to about work, and he offered her valuable insights without any pressure or expectations.

“Thanks, Larry. That means a lot,” she said sincerely.

They chatted for a while, discussing the fashion industry, the challenges of running a business, and the pressures that came with success. Larry had a way of making conversation feel easy and natural, and before long, Sophia found herself genuinely enjoying his company. Though she hadn’t completely let her guard down, she couldn’t deny that Larry’s presence had become a comforting one, especially with all the chaos surrounding her life recently.

As they wrapped up their conversation, Larry stood up and gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything, Sophia. I’m rooting for you.”

She nodded, watching him leave the office. Something about Larry still unsettled her, though. Despite his friendly demeanor, there was an air of mystery around him that Sophia couldn’t quite shake. But for now, she chose to focus on the positive—he had been nothing but supportive of her career.