Chapter 22: Interview Invitation

"Oh, please, since when is love boring?" Her mother gave her a knowing look, gently patting Sophia's hand. "But fine, I won't pry. Go on then, leave me here with nothing but doctors for company."

Sophia laughed, giving her mother a playful hug. "Ethan should be here soon. He'll keep you company. Just… be patient, okay?"

With a playful wave and a final hug, she left the room, unaware of the crisis the Hawthornes were facing.

As she left the hospital, a slight smile played on her lips. She was about to hail a cub when the driver from earlier hurriedly called her.

"Mrs Evans." He nodded at her and motioned for her to get into the waiting car. Sophia was surprised to see him.

"Why are you here…? Wait, you didn't leave?" She asked, raising her eyebrows as she observed that the car was packed exactly where she had left it hours ago when he dropped her off.

"I was waiting for you," he responded professionally. "Mr. Evans assigned me as your driver from now on."

"What?" Sophia's mouth was agape, surprised by the news.

"Kevin Hart, at your service, Mrs Evans." The driver said bowing slightly

Sophia got into the car feeling the warmth spread all over her body. She wondered, why is Alexander so nice to me? What she didn't know was Alexander was still blaming himself for what happened last night.

She arrived at Valmere and sat on the soft sofa, allowing herself to relax. She reached for the TV remote from the nearby table, switching it on. She wasn't a fan of TV shows unless it was News time. But now she needed something to distract her mind before going to prepare dinner.

But the breaking news on the TV screen shocked her to the core.

The headline blared on the screen: Hawthorne Group on the Brink of Bankruptcy.

What could have happened to the Hawthorne group? They had a firm foundation built over the years.

Sophia's heart skipped as a thought crossed her mind. Is Alexander behind this? She recalled the note he'd left her, the one that promised the Hawthornes would "pay heavily." She shivered, both in fear and fascination. Just who is the man I married?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a vibration from her phone. An email notification lit up her screen:

> Dear Applicant,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for an interview with Allure Fashion. The interview is scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a.m. We look forward to meeting you.

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, a scream of excitement escaping her lips. Her application had been noticed by Allure Fashion!

She rubbed her eyes to recheck, and yes the mail was there. It's real.

She couldn't believe it. It might be just an interview invitation but the fact that she impressed them by her application means she had a chance.

I must do my best to impress them tomorrow during the interview. She thought

She jumped up, heading upstairs to prepare, her heart racing. She sorted her documents and all the design drafts before arranging them in her file folder. She placed the file on the bedroom table. Once everything was in order, she hummed a tune as she descended the stairs heading to the kitchen. She was in a good mood so she began cooking.

As she hummed, the soft melody bouncing off the kitchen walls, she felt a thrill of anticipation humming right along with her. She took out each ingredient, setting them on the counter with a careful hand, her mind already piecing together tonight's menu. Her hands moved rhythmically, a lightness in her step as she started preparing the dishes.

First, she marinated the chicken breasts with a blend of garlic, rosemary, and lemon zest, letting the fragrant mix soak into the meat. She decided to pan-sear it to a perfect golden-brown finish, letting the skin crisp up as the aroma filled the kitchen. Beside it, she prepared a creamy garlic mashed potato dish, adding just a touch of butter and cream for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Next was her vegetable medley. She finely chopped bell peppers, carrots, and asparagus, tossing them with olive oil and a sprinkle of thyme. As she roasted them, their colors brightened, giving the dish a vibrant appeal. And lastly, a side of pasta, freshly made pesto tossed over linguine, with a sprinkle of parmesan and a hint of crushed red pepper for a slight kick. As each dish came together, she plated them with care, a smile tugging at her lips as she took in the enticing spread.

The table looked like a feast, each dish offering its own tempting aroma, and Sophia felt a warm pride. She stepped back, admiring her work.

***

Back at Alexander's office, Mark stepped in. He cleared his throat, "Sir, it's nearly time for your dinner meeting with Mr. Donovan."

Alexander, who'd been staring at his laptop, gave a small nod. "Right, the dinner meeting…" he began, but his thoughts drifted.

A flash of Sophia's silhouette in the kitchen crossed his mind, and he remembered the aroma of her cooking filling the house. He blinked, feeling an unexpected tug. Surely, she'd be waiting for him to try her dinner tonight.

"Boss?" Mark's voice brought him back. "The dinner meeting…?"

Alexander's eyes flicked up, a rare warmth in them. He looked at Mark, ordering, "You will attend the meeting tonight on my behalf."

Mark was surprised, momentarily speechless. "You want me to attend? But Mr. Donovan is…"

"A potential partner, yes, I know," Alexander replied, standing and grabbing his suit jacket. "But I can't miss dinner at home tonight."

Mark's eyebrows shot up. His boss Alexander, the man who never skipped a meeting was skipping for dinner at home? Before he could question further, Alexander was out the door, leaving a very confused assistant in his wake.

***

Just as Sophia had finished setting the table,the door creaked open, and Alexander walked in, his presence immediately filling the room with a chill. He was as composed as ever, his sharp features casting an intimidating air over him, with dark eyes that held a cold, calculated intensity. Dressed in his tailored suit, he looked as if he'd stepped out of an ad, untouchable and controlled. But as his gaze settled on Sophia, something softened, just for a moment.

"Are you okay?" His voice was softer than usual, a rare warmth slipping through.

Sophia nodded, caught off guard. "Yes, I'm good," she replied, feeling her cheeks heat up as she recalled last night. She blushed at the thought; was he the one who changed her clothes? She quickly pushed the thought aside, attempting to keep her composure. "You're right on time. Dinner is ready," she said, her voice light and cheerful, hoping to mask her sudden embarrassment.

Alexander's eyes shifted to the spread on the table, the enticing aromas stirring his appetite. "I'll be right back," he said, his tone slipping back into its usual cool detachment. Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed upstairs.

Twenty minutes later, he returned, this time in a pair of jeans and a gray shirt. The outfit, though casual, still held an elegance that couldn't quite hide his intimidating aura. But Sophia noticed something different, the casual clothes seemed to soften him, making him look younger, more relaxed, almost approachable. She found herself staring, taking in the way the gray shirt fit just snug enough across his shoulders. She blinked, trying to hide her admiration.

He caught her gaze, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes before he looked at the table. "You prepared a lot," he remarked, sitting down, his tone a touch more relaxed.

Sophia, still slightly dazed, mumbled, "Not bad… good."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, surprised at her distracted response. "Of course, it's not bad," he replied coolly, as he served himself. "The aroma can tell."

Sophia's cheeks flushed crimson as she realized she'd been caught staring. She quickly lowered her eyes, embarrassed, and began to serve herself. They ate in silence, but Sophia couldn't help noticing how much Alexander was enjoying the food. She'd lost count of his servings, watching with quiet satisfaction as he took bite after bite.