Chapter 9 Nine

The new enemy

The door slammed shut behind Lara, and in that moment, Sophia felt as if her heart had shattered into tiny, irretrievable pieces. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room, leaving her in a suffocating silence.

Lara had rushed out, leaving Sophia behind like an unwelcome pest, an afterthought in a whirlwind of chaos.

Just when she thought she had finally found someone in the mansion who could listen to her, someone who could treat her with the respect and humanity she craved, that glimmer of hope was extinguished.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips, a mix of frustration and bewilderment. She had seen the fear flicker in Lara's eyes just before she bolted, clutching a file tightly in her hand as if it were a lifeline.

What had frightened her so deeply? The question nagged at Sophia, twisting in her mind as she tried to piece together the fragments of their brief encounter.

Why was Lara scared? The thought lingered, heavy with implications, as she replayed their conversation in her mind.

What had transpired in the cramped little office that could cause such a reaction? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on her, amplifying her sense of isolation.

With a resigned heart, Sophia knew she had no choice but to leave the room. She pushed herself up from the chair, its surface cold and uninviting, and made her way to the door.

Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of her unanswered questions was dragging her down.

As she reached for the doorknob, the reality of her solitude settled in once more, a stark reminder of the emotional chasm that often surrounded her. In no time, she was out of the office.

She couldn't wrap her mind around what just played out. One minute she was having a pleasant conversation with Lara. And the next minute, Lara was rushing out because she asked questions about Miss Florence. Finally, in her room. She felt so alone and dejected. Wishing she has someone to talk to. Night came and she went to bed. The next morning, she flicked her eyes open. And rubbed them sleepily. Seconds letter, a jot of urgency shot through her and she glanced at the time. And quickly, she flung the bed covers aside. It was 7:00. And work starts by 9:00 This was the first time she would be going to work after her marriage to Adrian. She wouldn't want to be late. And then create a bad reputation. After a refreshing cold shower, Sophia emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped snugly around her body. The chill of the water lingered on her skin, invigorating her senses as she stepped into her spacious bedroom. She approached her expansive closet, a treasure trove of fashion choices, and began sifting through her collection, searching for the perfect outfit to match her mood. After a moment of deliberation, she settled on a classy ensemble that spoke to her sophisticated style. With a sense of urgency, she dressed, her hands moving with the ease and speed of someone accustomed to getting ready for important occasions. First, she slipped into a charcoal blazer, a sharp and polished piece that exuded professionalism. Underneath, she wore a delicate champagne camisole, its soft fabric draping gracefully over her figure, adding a subtle yet alluring touch of femininity to the overall look. As she adjusted her outfit in the mirror, a confident smile appeared on her face. Today was a day for making an impression, and she was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead. She was already feeling the pulse of confidence surging through her. For the last time, she checked her reflection on the mirror. What she saw made her smile to herself. As always, she is a stunning beauty to behold. Sophia grabbed her handbag making her way to the door. Which she opened and closed gently behind her. As she walked elegantly towards the stairs. She looked forward to making things right at the company. Sophia was fueled with a strong desire to work harder. She doesn't give a damn if the Drake family likes her or not, she was here for a purpose which is to clear her father's name. If she continues to feel sad about her ordeal in the mansion, then it will hinder her progress. She focused her mind on going to work. The moment she stepped outside, Sophia went cold. And her face turned white. The confidence drained out of her, replaced by a sudden, sinking feeling. She slapped her temple with the palm of her hand. "Damn it!" She muttered to herself . The realization hit her like a physical blow. She had left her car at her apartment. How will she get to work? Ever since she had married Adrian, she had not driven her own car. She had been chauffered everywhere, a silent ornamental passenger. The keys to her car were tucked away in a drawer at her old apartment, a place that now felt like a distant memory. Her almond shaped eyes scanned the expansive ground of the mansion. Several exotic cars were packed in different places. Gleaming under the morning sun. There was the sleek black sports car Adrian drives on weekend, the elegant silver sedan, and a few others she barely recognized. The worst of it all, she doesn't have access to them. She was running late. Time was slipping away, and Sophia felt a sense of urgency pressing against her. She knew she had to be early for work, especially today. Just then, she caught sight of the chauffeur emerging from a section of the mansion close to the staff quarters. To her surprise, he was the youngest employee she had on her team. She had always noted this, but it struck her again how he seemed to be in his late twenties, perhaps even younger. A wave of relief washed over her; he was her only hope of making it to the office on time. As the young man approached, he wore a friendly smile that instantly put her at ease. "Good morning, Mrs. Drake," he said, his voice respectful and warm, carrying a hint of enthusiasm. Sophia nodded in acknowledgment of his greeting, grateful for his cheerful demeanor. "Please, can you drive me to work? I promise not to take much of your time. I don't have my car around, and I'm running late." "Sure," the chauffeur replied, his smile widening even further. "I'll take you. That's not a problem at all." He pivoted on his heel and began walking toward a sleek blue car parked nearby. Sophia followed closely behind, a wave of relief washing over her. The crisis of being late was averted. She could feel her confidence returning with each click of her stilettos against the pavement, echoing her determination as she walked. Strong and proud, she felt ready to tackle whatever the day had in store. Just as she was about to reach the car, a sudden sound sliced through the tranquil morning air, catching her attention and causing her to pause. The unexpected noise sent a ripple of curiosity through her, momentarily distracting her from her pressing schedule. "And where do you think you are going, Harold? Well, I need to help clear up some things inside the house." Sophia froze as she stopped in her tracks. The confidence in her evaporated instantly. Her knees almost gave way but she maintained a calm and composed stand. Not wanting to look or appear weak. But you are weak already. A tiny voice in her head spoke. Sophia swallowed hard. She felt anger shimmering at the surface. As she struggled to maintain her cool. The voice was unmistakably recognized. It was a voice that made her feel worse. She knew she already had an enemy, one she'd do everything within her power to defeat.