Chapter 5 UNWELCOMED ENCOUNTER

The whole atmosphere suddenly became tense. Pamela was fuming with anger and was about to respond when the waiter interrupted their heated moment by placing their food on the table.

"Your food is here, ma," the waiter said politely.

Sophie had ordered chicken pasta with salad, while Pamela chose rice with Chinese sauce and chicken.

"As you can see, Kingsley, we're here to eat, not to chit-chat. Please excuse us," Sophie said firmly, trying to reduce the tension and stop Pamela from doing something reckless.

"They're right, darling. Let's leave. I don't like the smell coming from their table," Kingsley's lady sneered, dragging him away.

Sophie glanced at Pamela's furious face and silently pleaded with her not to react. After a long breath, Pamela calmed down.

Although Sophie was hungry, the moment she looked at her food, she felt nauseous. She thought maybe it was just because she hadn't eaten all day. But after one bite, she nearly threw up at the table.

Suddenly, she stood up and rushed to the restroom. Pamela quickly followed, deeply concerned.

"Are you alright? Was the food that bad?" Pamela asked as she helped Sophie clean up.

"I don't know, Pamela. Just the smell of the food made me want to throw up," Sophie replied weakly.

"Let's go home so you can rest. I already lost my appetite the moment that selfish bastard walked in," Pamela said, and Sophie nodded in agreement.

They left the restaurant, ignoring the sea of insults hurled by Kingsley and his girlfriend.

---

As soon as they got back to their apartment, Sophie lay down on the bed. She had a slight headache and felt extremely tired.

"I believe the stress of job hunting for the past weeks is finally catching up with you," Pamela joked before letting Sophie rest.

---

The next morning, Sophie woke up feeling slightly better. She was about to head to the restroom when Pamela knocked on her door, holding a breakfast tray.

The moment the smell of breakfast hit her, Sophie bolted into the bathroom to throw up again. Pamela dropped the tray on the bedside table and rushed in after her.

Watching her carefully, Pamela spoke up. "Sophie... are you pregnant?"

Sophie looked up, confused, but then a realization hit her. She hadn't seen her period in over two weeks. And she hadn't used any contraceptives that day-her mind had been too broken to think clearly.

"I'll run to the store and grab a test. But as a nurse, all your symptoms scream pregnancy," Pamela said, quickly grabbing her purse and heading out.

Minutes later, she returned and handed Sophie a pregnancy test kit.

Sophie followed the instructions with trembling hands, her heart pounding as they both anxiously waited for the results.

After a moment, she looked.

Positive.

Pamela gasped in excitement. "Oh my God, Sophie! You're pregnant! You've always wanted to be a mother!"

But her joy slowly turned into concern as she saw the fear and confusion in Sophie's eyes.

"What's wrong, darling? Are you scared of raising Kingsley's child alone? Don't worry-I'm here with you, every step of the way," Pamela said, wrapping her arms around her.

Sophie broke down in tears. "I'm not scared of raising the baby alone, Pamela... I'm scared because I don't know who the father is-Kingsley or the stranger from that night."

"What do you mean?" Pamela asked, her eyes widening.

"Before Kingsley broke up with me, I slept with him that morning. And that night, I slept with the stranger."

Pamela gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Sophie's life had just taken an unimaginable turn.

---

A new week arrived quickly.

It was Sophie's first day at her new job. She drove slowly through the morning traffic, watching people move around the city, lost in her thoughts.

Eventually, she arrived at a towering skyscraper. Lucas Corporation glistened in gold steel lettering across the building's front.

She glanced at her watch to make sure she wasn't late and walked towards the revolving automatic glass doors.

Inside, a security guard stopped her. There was a machine in front of him scanning employee IDs.

"What business do you have here?" he asked sternly.

"I just got employed here," Sophie said, handing him her printed job offer letter.

After a quick call through his earpiece, the guard nodded. "You can go in, ma. Take the elevator to the 10th floor and ask for Mr. Patrick."

"Thank you," Sophie said as the system granted her access.

The reception area was stunning-white walls with tasteful art, and a chandelier sparkling in the center of the room. Everyone was immaculately dressed in business suits.

She entered the elevator with several employees and stepped out on the 10th floor. A blonde receptionist welcomed her with a polite smile.

"Hello. I'm here to see Mr. Patrick. I'm the new employee," Sophie said warmly.

"Certainly, ma. May I have your name to inform Mr. Patrick?"

"Sophie Rodrigo."

The receptionist typed on her laptop and then smiled. "He's expecting you. Please have a seat. I'll call him for you."

Sophie sat on a comfortable couch and was handed a magazine to pass the time.

But the cover photo made her freeze.

There, staring back at her, was Daniel Lucas-her one-night stand.

The headline read:

"Daniel Lucas – The Youngest Billionaire is Now the City's Most Wanted Bachelor."

Sophie's heart thudded in her chest.

Her boss was the stranger she slept with.

"Oh no... I can't do this. I can't accept this job. I won't be able to look at his face after what happened," she muttered and immediately stood up, rushing out of the reception.

The receptionist called after her, confused.

Sophie wasn't paying attention and collided with someone in the hallway. She nearly fell-but strong arms caught her by the waist.

She looked up to thank the person-only to lock eyes with him.

Daniel Lucas.

That was the last thing she remembered before fainting in his arms.