Chapter 2 2

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of polite conversations and forced smiles, but Alexander Pierce's presence loomed in Sophia's mind like a shadow she couldn't shake. By the time the last guest left and the staff began cleaning up, her nerves felt like a tangled web.

"Long night?" Elise asked, leaning against the wall as Sophia helped rearrange the space.

"You could say that," Sophia muttered, stacking empty champagne flutes on a tray.

"Marcella looked like she was ready to rip you to shreds," Elise said with a grin. "Guessing she didn't love how much Mr. Billionaire was glued to you all night."

Sophia sighed. "It's not like that. He's probably used to analyzing everything-and everyone-around him. I'm just a curiosity."

Elise snorted. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Men like Alexander Pierce don't waste time on curiosities. If he's interested, he'll make it known."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "You've clearly been reading too many tabloids."

"Maybe," Elise said with a shrug. "But I'm rarely wrong about these things."

Sophia didn't respond. The truth was, Elise's words had struck a nerve. There was something in Alexander's gaze, something unspoken that lingered far longer than it should have. But Sophia wasn't about to let herself get caught up in a daydream about a man who lived in a completely different world.

She busied herself with final checks of the gallery, ensuring the artwork was secure before locking up. By the time she stepped outside, the city had quieted, the late hour softening its usual chaos.

As she turned the corner toward the subway station, the sleek silhouette of a black car caught her attention. She paused, her heart skipping a beat when the back window rolled down, revealing Alexander.

"Ms. Rivera," he said, his voice smooth and unhurried. "Do you need a ride?"

Sophia blinked, caught off guard. "That's very kind, but I don't want to trouble you."

"It's no trouble," he said, his expression calm but insistent. "Please."

Something in his tone made it impossible to refuse. Hesitant but curious, she approached the car and slid into the backseat, the scent of leather and faint cologne surrounding her.

The driver pulled into traffic, and for a moment, silence filled the car.

"Long night?" Alexander asked, echoing Elise's earlier words.

"Productive," Sophia said, folding her hands in her lap. "Though I'm surprised you stayed as long as you did."

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Art has a way of holding my attention."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "That's a diplomatic answer."

A faint smile curved his lips. "I don't give my time lightly, Ms. Rivera. I stayed because I wanted to."

Her breath caught, but she forced herself to maintain composure. "I hope the exhibit met your expectations, then."

"It exceeded them," he said simply. "Your instincts are sharp. You see what others don't."

The compliment caught her off guard, and she struggled to find a response. "Thank you. That means a lot, coming from someone like you."

He tilted his head slightly. "Someone like me?"

"You're a man used to excellence," she said carefully. "Your approval doesn't come cheaply."

He chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "True enough. But I'm also a man who values authenticity. Tonight, I saw both-in the art and in you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned to look out the window, the city lights blurring past. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

"I disagree," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

Sophia didn't know how to respond, so she let the silence settle again. But it wasn't uncomfortable; it felt charged, like a string stretched taut between them.

When the car pulled up in front of her modest apartment building, Alexander spoke again. "Thank you for the tour tonight. It's rare to meet someone so passionate about their work."

Sophia smiled faintly, her hand on the door handle. "Thank you for coming. I hope we'll see you at the gallery again."

"I have no doubt," he said, his gaze lingering on her as she stepped out of the car.

As the car disappeared down the street, Sophia stood on the sidewalk for a long moment, the night air cool against her skin. Something about Alexander's words, his presence, felt like a promise-or a challenge.

And for reasons she couldn't quite explain, she found herself hoping their paths would cross again.