Chapter 4: Day in My Life Sophia POV

“Maybe he just forgot to call.” I looked at the screen of my phone and sighed to myself. The room was dimly lit by the gentle glow, but there were no new alerts. Jake didn't respond to my final text message, which asked, "Where are you?" I hesitated between sending another message and letting it go as my fingers hovered over the keyboard.

How could I let it go, though? Last evening, he hadn't returned home. The bed felt colder and emptier than ever, and every sound in the house had sent my heart racing, hoping it was him walking through the door.

The sun filtered through the thin curtains, painting streaks of light on the walls. With a groan, I moved my legs away from the bed. Victor's cold disdain, Vanessa's threats, and now Jake's disappearance were all weighing heavily on me at once.

He’ll show up. I reminded myself, "He always does," but it felt more like a false comfort than a reality.

The office was alive with its usual activities, the sharp click of heels on polished floors, phones ringing constantly, and the low hum of voices weaving through conversations. Today, my desk, which was tucked away in a corner close to the conference room with glass walls, felt more like a prison cell.

"Grant!" Through the din, Vanessa's piercing voice snapped me out of my trance.

"Yes, Vanessa?" I answered in an even tone.

With an air of superiority, Vanessa Sinclair stood in the center of the open-plan workplace. Her exquisitely done hair was frighteningly beautiful, and her pencil skirt and tailored white blazer shouted power. With her manicured nails, she impatiently tapped a tablet in one hand.

She looked at me as if I were a faulty product and said, "I need you to prepare the notes for the charity event. The itinerary needs to be finalized by the end of the day, and make sure the caterers have confirmed the revised menu. I don’t want any surprises.”

I gave a nod. "I'll get started right away."

Leaning slightly in, she continued, "And, Sophia, try not to mess this up. The last thing we need is you embarrassing the Sinclair name any more than you already have.”

I bit back the response that was brewing on my tongue, even though her words hurt. “Understood.”

Vanessa smiled obviously relishing the power trip, and then walked confidently to her office with glass walls.

I heard bits and pieces of conversations drifting through the air as I sat down at my desk.

The woman at the next desk enthusiastically whispered to her colleague, "Did you hear about the guy coming to the event?"

“You mean Ethan Blake? The tech genius?”

“Yeah, him! It seems that he is also insanely attractive. Vanessa’s already planning how to get his attention.”

I made an effort to ignore them, but as their excitement increased, so did their voices.

"Do you believe he'll want to partner with Sinclair Global?"

“Probably. We would really benefit from collaborating with him, as he has been making waves in the tech industry."

One of them laughed slyly and said, "And for Vanessa, if she plays her cards right."

I couldn't resist taking a quick look inside Vanessa's workspace. I could tell she was talking about the event, and probably Ethan Blake just by the way she seemed animated while on the phone.

The name was somewhat recognizable. He was young, creative, and already well-known in IT circles, according to what I had read about him in passing. But it was evident from the way he was discussed by everyone in the office that he was more than simply another business owner.

Even though the office had calmed down by midday, the tension I carried from home persisted. I grabbed my phone as it vibrated, thinking it may be Jake.

It wasn't.

Rather, it was an email reminder on the event planning. Reading the list of tasks I was given made my heart sink. Vanessa was obviously adding as much as she could to make sure I wouldn't have time to think about my own issues, much less breathe.

My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle voice saying, "Hey, Sophia."

Mia, a junior employee, was loitering close to my desk when I looked up. She was one of the few people here who treated me like a human being.

I managed a tiny smile as I said, "Hello, Mia."

Mia nervously said, looking over her shoulder to make sure no one else was listening, "I just thought you should know that Vanessa has been telling people that you're having trouble with the event prep. She said she might have to step in if you can’t handle it.”

I made myself maintain my composure by clenching my jaw. "Thank you for informing me."

Mia scowled. "I don't understand her constant criticism of you. It’s like she’s trying to push you out.”

I said, "It's fine," but my tone revealed the underlying annoyance. "I'll finish everything. She won’t have any excuses to step in.”

After giving me a pitying glance, Mia withdrew to her own workspace.

The remainder of the day was filled with phone calls, emails, and frantic scheduling. I completed the event's schedule, double-checked the attendee list, and verified the menu. Vanessa made a show of being "hands-on" with the preparations by hopping in and out of her office during this time.

I felt like I was running on fumes by the end of the afternoon. My stomach was literally embarrassing me, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, but there was no time to stop.

"Grant!" Vanessa’s voice rang out again.

I got up and walked toward her office, preparing myself in my mind.

"Yes, Vanessa?"

She held a printed guest list and leaned against her desk. She waved it at me and said, "This is out of date. Ethan Blake’s name isn’t here. I want his name added to the VIP section right now as he has confirmed that he would be there."

I gave a nod. "I'll update it immediately."

Vanessa smiled her voice brimming with phony worry. “You’re not too overwhelmed, are you? I’d hate for you to feel... incapable.”

Her words were a jab but I refused to rise to the bait. "I'm all right," I said calmly.

"Good," she responded with a piercing smile. “Because I plan to make a lasting impression on Mr. Blake, and I don’t need you ruining it.”

I stayed behind to make sure everything was ready for the event as the office started to close for the day. The otherwise peaceful room was filled with the hum of the cleaning crew.

I took another look at my phone in the hopes of seeing Jake. Still nothing. My anxiety had turned into a persistent pain in the pit of my stomach.

Vanessa's voice came from her office as I was ready to pack and head off. "Come here, Grant!"

"For crying out loud." I sighed and walked over, wondering what she wanted now.

Vanessa was browsing through her phone while standing next to her desk. As she spoke, she didn't raise her gaze. “Did you hear what they’re saying about Ethan Blake?”

"No," I warily answered.

With a hint of enthusiasm in her voice, she remarked, "He's not just a tech genius. He is revolutionary. A collaboration with him might greatly benefit Sinclair Global. And if I play my cards right...” When she eventually looked up at me with a cunning smile, she trailed off.

She talked about him as though he were a trophy to be acquired rather than a person, which made me uneasy.

She yelled, "Well, don't just stand there.Ensure that everything is flawless for tomorrow. And don’t forget to update that guest list!”

With her comments still ringing in my ears, I nodded and walked out of her office.

It was silent and cold on the way home. The street lights' illumination created lengthy shadows on the pavement, and the streets were almost deserted.

I half expected to see Jake waiting inside the tiny house I rented, his recognizable smile ready to welcome me. But the house was quiet and dark.

Putting my bags down, I collapsed onto the couch as fatigue overcame me. The event, Vanessa's cautions, and mysterious Ethan Blake were all on my mind at once.

What sort of man attracts Vanessa in that way? I pondered.