Chapter 4 : Family lunch
As Alexander walked out of the room, I felt a mix of relief and frustration. I knew I had to be careful, but I couldn't help the way I felt.
Sophia, on the other hand, was seething. She cornered me in the break room, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You think you're so special, don't you?" she hissed. "You think you can just wade in here and steal Alexander's attention away from me?"
I tried to brush her off, but Sophia was relentless. "I'm not going to let you get ahead of me, Emily. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you fail."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Sophia stormed out of the break room. I knew I had to be careful, but I wasn't going to let her intimidate me.
As I walked back to my office, I saw Alexander waiting for me. His expression was intense, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
"Hey, Emily," he said, his voice low. "I wanted to talk to you about Sophia. She's been acting strange lately, and I think it's because of you."
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Alexander's eyes locked onto mine. "She's jealous, Emily. She's been trying to get my attention for months, but I only have eyes for one person."
My heart was racing as Alexander's words washed over me. I knew he was talking about me, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to acknowledge it.
As we stood there, the tension between us grew thicker. I could feel the electricity spar, and I knew I had to be careful. But I couldn't help the way I felt.
Suddenly, Alexander's phone rang again, breaking the spell. He answered, his expression darkening. "I have to go, Emily. We'll talk later."
As he walked away, I felt a mix of emotions. I knew I was playing with fire, but I couldn't help myself. I was falling for Alexander, and I didn't know how to stop it.
The next day, Alexander announced that his family was hosting a lunch at their estate, and the entire marketing team was invited. I felt a flutter in my chest as I accepted the invitation, wondering what it would be like to meet Alexander's family.
As we arrived at the estate, I was struck by its grandeur. The mansion was beautiful, with lush gardens and a stunning view of the city.
Alexander greeted us warmly, introducing us to his family. His mother, a kind-eyed woman with a warm smile, welcomed us with open arms. His father, a tall, imposing man with a firm handshake, nodded at us.
As we sat down to eat, I found myself seated next to Alexander. Sophia was across from us, her eyes flashing with anger.
The lunch was delicious, with a variety of dishes that showcased the family's wealth. I tried to make conversation with Alexander's parents, but Sophia kept trying to interrupt, dominating the conversation with her own accomplishments.
Alexander, sensing my discomfort, leaned in and whispered, "Don't let her get under your skin, Emily. You're doing great."
I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards him. As the lunch drew to a close, Alexander's mother turned to me and said, "Emily, I hear you're doing fantastic work at Thompson Inc. Alexander's told us so much about you."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Alexander smiled at me. Sophia, on the other hand, looked like she was about to explode.
As we left the estate, Sophia cornered me, her voice low and menacing. "You're playing with fire, Emily. You think Alexander's family is going to accept you? You're just a temporary distraction."
I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I refused to let her intimidate me. "I'm not going anywhere, Sophia. Get used to it."
As I walked away, I felt a sense of empowerment. I was determined to prove myself, both at work and in my personal life.
But as I glanced back at Alexander, I knew that I was in for a wild ride.