Chapter 5 Chill of Disappointment

Sophia 's phone buzzed incessantly on her desk, the insistent ringing was in contrast to the quiet hum of the late afternoon office. With a sigh, she snatched it up, the caller ID flashing "Mr. Hayes" in bold letters.

"Hello, Sophia ," came Hayes's voice, smooth as ever. "Before you leave today, be sure to swing by the penthouse. It's quite important."

Sophia 's pulse quickened a fraction. Visits to the penthouse weren't exactly on her daily routine. In fact she had neither stepped into his office nor the penthouse since she was promoted.

"Okay, sir, I'll make sure to come by before leaving," she replied, professionalism masking a flicker of curiosity.

The rest of the afternoon crawled by. Every task felt magnified, every email an eternity to compose. Finally, the clock struck five, and Sophia practically sprinted out of the office, a nervous thrill bubbling in her stomach.

The penthouse door chimed as she entered, and there stood Hayes, a sheepish grin on his face. "Sophia , there you are! Perfect timing, come in, come in."

He ushered her into the vast living room, glaringly different to her own tiny apartment. An awkward silence settled as Sophia perched on the edge of a plush sofa, unsure of what to expect.

"So," he began, running a hand through his hair, "my girlfriend's birthday is coming up tomorrow, and I want it to be special. I was hoping you could help me pick out a gift."

The air whooshed out of Sophia 's lungs in a surprised puff. "Girlfriend?" she stammered, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features, quickly masked by a professional smile. "I wasn't aware you had a girlfriend, Mr. Hayes."

He chuckled. "Oh, she's just one of many," he replied, winking. "So, any ideas on what a lady might like?"

Sophia forced a smile. "Well, sir, picking a gift is quite personal. You need to consider her tastes, her hobbies... what's her favorite color? Does she enjoy reading? Traveling?"

Hayes's face fell. "Whoa, whoa, slow down there," he said, holding up a hand. "This is getting a little intense. Just something to make her smile, you know?"

Sophia pursed her lips, battling a wave of emotions. "Perhaps something she's been hinting at wanting?" she offered tentatively.

Derek's grin faltered completely. "Bingo!" he exclaimed. "But that's the problem! She keeps dropping these not-so-subtle hints about... marriage."

Disappointment curdled in Sophia 's stomach, a bitter aftertaste to the initial surprise. This charming, successful Mr. Hayes she'd admired turned out to be... not quite the prince she'd imagined.

"Marriage?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, a flicker of unease crossing his features. "Yeah, and let's just say... that's not exactly in the cards for me right now."

He leaned closer, his voice conspiratorial. "Look, I just want to have some fun, you know? Keep things light. Any ideas what a girl might like in that case?"

Sophia stared at him, the scales falling from her eyes. The charming facade had chipped away, revealing a man who saw women as toys, not partners.

"A nice watch or a necklace, perhaps," she responded, her voice devoid of its usual warmth. "Something impersonal." the disappointment in her voice wasn't lost.

He shifted uncomfortably. "Right," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "Well, thanks for the help, Sophia . I appreciate it."

"No problem, Mr. Hayes," she replied, rising to her feet. "Actually, I should be heading home. It's been a long day."

He reached for his keys, likely offering to drive her home, but Sophia cut him off. "Don't worry about it," she said, her voice firm. "I'll call a cab." she gave a curt nod and headed for the door, leaving him standing alone in the room, the silence suddenly heavy and oppressive.

As she stepped out into the bustling city night, an heavy rain began to fall.

The cab ride home was a blur of city lights reflecting off the rain-streaked windows. Sophia stared out, the rhythmic drumming of the rain mirroring the frantic beat of her heart. Hayes's words echoed in her mind, each syllable chipping away at the idealized image she'd built of him.

Disillusionment settled in her gut, a bitter aftertaste that lingered long after the initial shock. The charming, intelligent Mr. Hayes the man she'd dreamt of impressing was revealed to be a commitment-phobic playboy, treating women like accessories. A wave of anger washed over her, quickly followed by a crushing sense of disappointment.

Back in her apartment, she collapsed onto the worn sofa, the city sounds muted by the thin walls. Pulling off her damp shoes, she sank deeper into the cushions, burying her face in her hands. Tears welled up, blurring her vision. It wasn't just the disappointment; it was the realization that her initial attraction stemmed from a place of insecurity, a yearning for validation and a life beyond the confines of the reception desk.

The shrill ring of her phone startled her. Glancing at the screen, she saw Nancy's name flashing. With a shaky breath, she answered.

"Hey, Sophia," Nancy's voice came through, laced with concern. "Just checking in. You okay?"

Sophia hesitated. How much could she reveal without sounding pathetic? "Yeah," she started, her voice thick with emotion, "just... a long day."

There was a pause, then a gentle sigh from Nancy. "Sounds like more than a long day. Care to talk about it?"

Sophia took a deep breath, the knot in her throat tightening. Briefly, she recounted the encounter with Hayes, the request for a gift, and the startling revelation about his girlfriend. As she spoke, the dam broke, and the words tumbled out, a torrent of frustration and hurt.

Nancy listened patiently, an occasional soft murmur of understanding. When Sophia finished, a heavy silence settled between them. Finally, Nancy spoke, her voice laced with quiet anger.

"That jerk," she spat. "Seriously, who does he think he is? Using women like some kind of disposable accessory? You deserve so much better, Sophia. You're brilliant, kind, and way too good for him."

Sophia closed her eyes, a flicker of warmth battling the chill of disappointment. "Thanks, Nance. I needed to hear that."

"Of course," Nancy continued, her voice softening. "But hey, remember why you were never interested in that kind of life anyway? You want a real partnership, someone who respects and values you for who you are, not just what you can do for them."

Sophia smiled faintly. Nancy had always been the voice of reason, the one to see through her starry-eyed naivety. "You're right," she admitted. "I just... got caught up in the moment, the whole 'powerful CEO' thing."

"Hey, it happens," Nancy chuckled. "But remember, power comes in many forms, Sophia. You have the power of your mind, your skills, and your unwavering determination. Don't let anyone, especially some arrogant playboy, dim your light."

Sophia 's smile widened. Nancy always had a way of turning things around. They reminisced about their dreams, the late nights spent pouring over college textbooks, scribbling ambitious goals on sticky notes. Back then, the world seemed like an endless possibility, and success was theirs for the taking.

"Maybe we should revisit those old dream boards," Nancy suggested playfully. "See how far we've come, and maybe even tweak them a bit for the future."

"Great idea!" Sophia exclaimed, a spark of determination reigniting in her eyes. "We could do a whole 'adulting goals' night. Pizza, wine, and brainstorming the future Sophia s we're going to be!"

Laughter, genuineness and carefree, filled the conversation, chasing away the shadows of disappointment. After a brief catching up, they hung up. She let out an exhausted sigh. The disappointment hadn't vanished entirely, but she was feeling much better.