Chapter 3 Three

Sophia's sweat trickled down her hairline as twenty pairs of eyes stared at her, all with an intensity that made her nervous.

Her team members stood around her desk, watching her without blinking.

Sophia had called them to deliver the news, but she hadn't considered how they'd react to seeing her go, so she hesitated, but they kept watching her until she couldn't bear it. Sophia decided not to beat around the bush.

"I've been transferred from this team".

Their shocked gasp carried through the quiet space as they fidgeted at their spot, unable to decide whether to hug her in comfort or stay put.

Lyka was the first to break the awkward silence, swaying slightly towards Sophia. "But why... Which team did you get transferred to?" The others nodded, waiting eagerly for an answer.

I shook my head. "It's not another team... I'll be serving as an assistant to the top boss," she answered.

Her team couldn't help their horrified gasps. Their worried gazes darted to each other, anger clouding their features. Sophia knew they'd feel vindictive toward her.

"A demotion?" Leroy got out aghast. Ivan just stood in the corner like a scared mouse, not daring to open his mouth.

"Mr. Sanchez can't do this to you. Are you going to quit? You should have dragged his hair for allowing it to happen. Right guys?" They all nodded, murmuring their displeasure all at once.

She reached out to silence them, getting their attention. "I couldn't drag his hair cause let's be real, he has none. Also, this whole thing is just for six months, and then I'll be back with you guys. I already signed the contract so I have to go. I'll miss you guys terribly, but this is better than getting fired, right? I get to work on the top floor too" She tried for enthusiasm, but their expression remained the same.

"But still, you're the best team manager we have. Mr. Sanchez just can't do this" Ivan's small voice uttered from the back, drawing everyone's attention.

Mary quickly nodded in agreement. " You're right Ivan. People at the top are just assholes. They make decisions without thinking about our feelings. They push us around like pawns in a chess game... How can they just do this to you-"

Sophia stopped her flow of words by raising her hand. "Hey, what did I say about insulting the boss, huh... Just let it go, Mary" She chastised mildly. "I'm really okay with this arrangement. The pay is good too." She assured.

Lyka ran into her arms, hugging her tightly. "We'll miss you, Sophia. You've been the best supervisor I've ever worked with," she cried into the embrace.

Sophia patted her back, surprised by their actions. The others joined in too, almost tripping her. They finally let go, once the extended hug made everyone uncomfortable.

She was quick to reassure them. "Hey, none of that dull atmosphere in my team. You all have to be hyped, okay? Treat my replacement the same way you treated me, and-" She paused, remembering the barbecue party her friends were throwing for her, another attempt of theirs to get her to hook up or find a potential boyfriend. "You all are invited to a barbecue party at my friend's place tonight. I'll text you the address."

They got excited, giving each other a high five.

"You're the best Sophia," Leroy said, giving her a thumbs up.

Sophia smiled, picking up her bag. "Wish me luck at my new job," she said, and they were all rushing to hug her again.

Sophia managed to calm them enough to sneak out of the department. Her new workspace was on the top floor. The offices looked extravagant, the pieces of equipment all top-notch, but the workers she came across seemed a little stuck up.

Everything felt too remote. Everyone was minding their own business; it was a clear contrast to her former department, where they goofed around, listened to music, and shared ideas to get inspiration.

Sophia missed her team already. She approached the elevator leading to Mr. Lennox Ray's space. He worked with only five people, with her as an assistant making it six.

Gosh, such an old dictator, she thought throwing her advice of not insulting bosses out of the window.

Most of the workers had never met Lennox Ray in person, probably due to his old age. But Sophia imagined him as a man with salt and pepper hair, shaky, wobbly fingers; he probably sweated like Mr. Sanchez, too. Sophia chuckled at the thought, getting into the elevator.

"Let's meet our old new boss, and kick him where the sun doesn't shine if he gets too harsh. If that doesn't work then I'll have to improvise... Maybe spit into his coffee, and watch him drink it until I simmer down." She murmured to herself, grinning at the image it brought to mind.

The elevator pinged open, and the man coming in bumped into her hard, the cup of drink in his hand spilling onto her dress.

Sophia gasped, jumping back, before looking up at the culprit. Oh, my fu...freaking Zeus! Definitely, the type of guy to take home to Momma. The next few seconds seemed to go in slow motion. He blinked in surprise, his long dark lashes fanning over a darker shade of eyeball, eyes so intense, it made her slightly breathless when they held hers. Sophia was sure she drooled a bit from how perfect he looked; he could probably star in most women's fantasies if he decided to take his face to the film industry.

He was like those models who looked so perfect, it was hard not to watch them because everything they did was enchanting. Flawless. But his dark eyes and long, dark hair made him a bit intense and intimidating.

He grunted at impact, then stepped back with the empty cup in his hand. His eyes scanned for any spills on his shirt, irritation staining his features.

Sophia cleared her throat as she waited patiently for an apology. She guessed him to be one of the managers in the numerous departments the company had.

He looked up at her, dark eyes probing. Sophia eyed him too until he made to move past her.

Sophia scoffed at the audacity he was displaying, as her hand shot out to grab at his shirt, stopping him.

He turned to face her with an incredulous look on his face, his gaze darting to the chunk of his shirt that Sophia held onto.

Sophia knew his type, just because they were blessed with the face of an angel, arrogant, much- they thought they could do and get away with anything.

"You spilled your drink on me, aren't you forgetting to say something," she asked, raising a brow.

His hands came over hers to pull it off, but she held on with a vice.

His voice came out raspy, as he tried to pry her hands off. "Maybe next time, you should be more careful when stepping out of the elevator. Take this as a little lesson".

Sophia gaped at him, the condescending way he spoke making her blood pressure spike.

Why the hell was he speaking to her like she was beneath him? Was everyone at the top level rude?

Was this guy being disrespectful because he heard of her new assignment? Sophia didn't want to know the reason. She wanted an apology and she was going to get it.

He had given up trying to get her to relinquish her hold, his dark gaze digging into her.

"What did you just say? I should learn from this. You spilled your drink on me, and you dare to say that to me. I'm so shocked right now, wow, this is just the worst thing I've heard in all my years of existing " she said, earning her a disbelieving look from him.

He glanced at the hand clutching at his shirt. "Let go, or I'll call security. And trust me, you'll not only be thrown out," he threatened, his gaze serious.

Sophia snorted as she let go, not wanting to get sacked on the first day of work.

She was also going to let it go until he muttered a curse under his breath with an arrogant exultant look on his face, so she decided to wipe the smug look off his face.

I won't be bringing him home Mom, sorry.

Her hands left her side, striking the guy's face.

The slap rang through the quiet space, earning the shocked gasp of its occupants. Some of the workers got off their seats, looking pale, their mouths hanging open in shock.

"That'll teach you to apologize when you're wrong, and also to speak to your colleagues respectfully. I'll be reporting you to the director because you're not fit to work here." She searched for his identity tag, roughly shoving her hand into his pocket as he watched her with a shocked look on his face.

She pulled out his wallet, yanking out his card... "You didn't even bother to put on a tag. You think you're some big shot huh, Mr..." She turned the card, her breath hitching and her face draining of blood as she read the name. Her voice was barely audible.

Sophia's hands shook, as she squinted at the writing. Lennox Jr Ray. She lifted her gaze slowly towards the dark eyes that loomed over her. They were furious. It was almost as if they would engulf her if she so much as breathed a word.

How the hell do I salvage such a situation? Her mouth dried up, making her lick at them nervously. Her brain went blank as she replayed the last few minutes. It seemed everyone held their breath with her, waiting for the director's verdict.

She looked up at him, clutching his card, attempting to apologize. He didn't give her a chance.

"In my office. Now," he grounded out, strode away from her, rubbing at his cheek.

Sophia stared at the other workers who just shook their heads pitifully. She knew she'd screwed up. Big time.