Stuck In Love (COMPLETED)

Chapter 6

Sophie Esinberg's POV

A wave of relief and respite washed over me as Media Day finally came to an end. The tension in my shoulders eased as we were led off the stage and into the VIP lounge. The lounge was a stark contrast to the chaotic conference hall, offering a quiet reprieve as the media began to wrap up their equipment and file out, their murmurs fading into the distance. The weight of the day's events lingered, but for now, I allowed myself a moment of peace amidst the plush surroundings.

The lounge exuded opulence, with plush, velvet armchairs in rich jewel tones, artfully arranged in intimate clusters. Crystal chandeliers dangled from the high ceilings. The lounge was framed by rich, dark wood paneling that gave it a timeless, sophisticated feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched along one wall, offering a breathtaking view of the meticulously landscaped gardens outside. The west-facing windows captured the stunning sunset, the sky awash in an ombre of pink and purple, a living painting that seemed to blend seamlessly with the sophisticated art pieces adorning the walls. 

In one corner stood a grand piano, its polished surface reflecting the soft lighting like a mirror of elegance. The gentle strains of live classical music floated through the air. Every detail, from the fine china on the tables to the plush carpets underfoot, was meticulously curated, making the lounge not just a VIP area, but a sanctuary of grandeur and comfort. 

Behind me, the rhythmic click of heels against the marble floor echoed, managers, makeup artists, and PR teams buzzed quietly, their conversations a soft hum in the background as I searched for Daniel amidst the sea of people. 

Unlike every other nominee, I wasn't greeted by my PR team—Daniel—in the VIP lounge. The room buzzed with side-eyed glances and hushed whispers, but I ignored them, focusing instead on the crushing pain of my shattered hope to save my laboratory and the cause. I walked purposefully towards a room in the corner of the lounge area. The rich, dark wooden door bore a sign that read "Private" in golden letters. Entering the hospitality suite, I pressed my temples in a futile attempt to ease the proliferating pain in my head. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, making it difficult to focus on anything in particular.

Thick velvet curtains were drawn, casting the room into a soothing twilight. At the far end stood a marble fireplace with an intricately carved mantel, adding to the room's inviting warmth. A low-lit chandelier cast a golden glow over the space, creating a cocoon of quiet luxury.

I sank onto the plush sofa in front of the unlit fireplace, pinching the bridge of my nose to alleviate the blinding pain in my head. Rage and hurt swirled within me, a tempest of emotions barely held in check. I practiced deep breathing, trying to wrest control from the overwhelming tide of feelings threatening to drown me. The solitude of the room provided a momentary sanctuary, a place to gather my fragmented thoughts and fortify myself against the chaos that awaited outside.

The wooden frame of the door creaked as it opened, and I stopped pinching my eyebrows to look at the figure entering the suite.

It wasn't Daniel. No, it was the very man who had haunted my dreams and yet left me spellbound every time I saw him. My jaw clenched in anger as I rose from the sofa to face him, a storm of emotions raging beneath my composed facade.

His steps halted, his piercing ocean blue gaze locking onto mine. He opened his mouth, about to speak. "Soaf, are—"

"YOU," I hissed, my voice low and laced with anger, as I pointed a finger at him. "You couldn't help being the knight in shining armor in front of the media, could you?" My words dripped with venom.

"What?" Raymond's brows scrunched in confusion.

"I was going to answer the question, Raymond. But you had to cut in and make me look weak in front of the entire media!" My tone was sharp, accusing, each word a dagger aimed at his heart. "It's already damaging enough that now the entire world will know we were once—" I stopped mid-sentence, struggling to find the right word, "—well... whatever we were."