Weekend in New York (3)

Sophia observed Felix, he looked pitiful. She took a deep breath, and said, "I'm sorry. It's my fault. It seems I forgot to tell you that we will not be having this lunch alone." She cleared her throat. "Is that for me?" She gestured at flowers.

Felix felt so embarrassed that he wished he is a wizard who knows a vanishing spell. In that case, he would make himself disappear. Hearing Sophia talk on the phone yesterday, he jumped to a conclusion that she wants to meet with him for lunch, only two of them. And now that he saw that there are more people, he realized his mistake. Felix heard Sophia's question, if flowers are for her, and he nodded in confirmation.

"Is it for later?", she asked.

He looked at her for a minute before realizing that he is still holding onto the flowers, and it seems that she is willing to accept them. He slowly extended his hand with flowers.

Sophia found his confusion and embarrassment adorable and funny. "Thank you, they are lovely", she said with a smile as she took the flowers from him.

Hearing her like the flowers, his heart soared. His eyebrows shoot up, and his face brightened up in a moment.

Sophia laughed. "Sometimes I think you have a split personality. Changes from gloomy to happy, from timid to confident... it all happens so fast that I'm not sure what kind of personality you have."

Felix looked at her for some time before speaking. "I find you intimidating."

"If I'm intimidating, why did you bring me flowers?", Sophia asked.

Felix responded without thinking. "Because you are the most beautiful and intelligent woman I've ever met. And you deserve flowers every day." Words came out of his mouth spiced with a French accent, and Sophia found his voice very pleasing.

His words stunned her for a minute. "It seems you found your courage."

"It does not take much courage to speak the truth." He looked her in the eyes, and Sophia had difficulty maintaining eye contact, she felt her cheeks getting hot. 'Am I blushing?', she wondered.

She thought for some time before speaking, "I can tell that you are interested in me. And I need to know one thing. This acquisition of your company, did you accept it just because of me?"

Felix straightened up, "It would be romantic to say yes. But that was not the reason. I accepted it because my company was running low on funds, we would not survive more than six months. We were doing great in Canada, but market was getting saturated and our sales were dropping. We needed new products on the market, but we didn't have funds to finance them. That is why I decided to look in expanding our market, so that we can sell our existing merchandise and get money for financing next generation. Your deal allowed me to save dignity of my employees, sell my existing products, finance next generation of products that I already designed, as well as continue to design future products. Holding on to a company which is sinking does not mean anything compared to keeping the dream alive for me and all of my employees. That is why I accepted the deal."

Sophia observed him while he talked, and she could not deny that he is a very attractive man. She smiled, "I like your answer much better than if you said yes."

Felix perked up, flashing a dazzling smile which revealed his perfect teeth, and two dimples, one on each cheek.

Sophia was dazed for a moment. 'He is very handsome.' She snapped out of her daze and looked toward Sarah and Aiden, "Now, those two... the one recording us is my sister, and man next to her is her boyfriend.", Sophia turned towards Felix. "My sister is very interested to hear about designs you are working on and she is also an expert in that area. I invited you for lunch with a hope that you can exchange some ideas with her. I know that I was supposed to ask you this yesterday, but I'm asking you now: Are you willing to talk with her?"

"Of course,", he responded confidently.

Sophia waved to Sarah and Aiden to come.

"OK, sis, show is over", Sarah told JoAnna.

"No kiss?", JoAnna protested.

"You saw her accepting flowers, right? That is already a huge step for Sophia."

"True, true." JoAnna confirmed. "OK. Thank you for the show! ... Enjoy New York!" She stopped video chat.

Sarah and Felix talked through lunch and were not done. They continued talking at Sophia's apartment. Aiden and Sophia felt neglected.

"Maybe we can watch something on TV until they finish.", Sophia suggested.

"Sure…", Aiden agreed. He was not happy. He was not happy at all. There was another man occupying Sarah's attention. And they talked about something he didn't understand.

When Sarah realized that it's night outside, she looked around and saw that Aiden and Sophia are both busy with their laptops. She cleared her throat. "I think we should get some dinner."

Aiden looked at her, and pouted. "If not for hunger, you would neglect me whole day."

Felix interjected into upcoming quarrel, "It's late, I should go."

Sophia looked at him. "Stay longer, let's have dinner together."

Felix flashed a smile. Sophia was dazed again.

Sarah switched her attention to Aiden, seeing that he needs pacifying. She snuggled next to him on the sofa and started talking about plans for tomorrow.

They ended up ordering delivery and had dinner in a large dining room.

"This is the first time this dining room is used in a long time.", Sophia said. "Before I rented this apartment, it was empty for few years. And since I'm here this is the first time it's being used."

"It is a beautiful place. You should use it more.", Felix commented.

Sophia shook her head. "I'm mostly in office, and I don't have time to enjoy this place."

"Maybe Felix can come once in a while and you two can use this dining room for a meal.", Sarah chimed in.

"Maybe...", Sophia murmured.

Felix heard her, and he smiled.