Chapter Nine: Lingering Memories

Alfred and Sophie's relationship seemed to be progressing smoothly, but the ghost of Alfred's past lingered.

They were in Alfred's house, sitting in the dining room, where Sophie had just served him his favorite meal.

As she placed the plate in front of him, she affectionately called him "Alfeey," a term that echoed Alexia's endearing nickname for him.

Alfred's heart skipped a beat as he turned around, momentarily mistaking Sophie for Alexia. The tension was palpable as he realized his mistake.

"Oh, I thought you were my ex," Alfred confessed, his eyes wide with surprise. "She was the only one who called me that."

Sophie's face fell, her expression a mix of hurt and frustration.

"You guys broke up 10 years ago, move on already,"

she said, her voice laced with anger. This wasn't the first time Alfred had made a mistake like this, and Sophie felt like she was constantly competing with the memory of Alexia.

Alfred knew he had hurt Sophie's feelings and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Sophie. I didn't mean to. It's just... old habits die hard, I guess."

Sophie nodded, trying to understand, but the incident left a lingering tension in their relationship.

Alfred realized he needed to work harder to let go of his past and focus on building a future with Sophie.

The delicious meal lay untouched, the atmosphere in the dining room now heavy with unspoken emotions.

Few minutes passed, and Sophie broke the silence.

"Alfeey, it's okay. I love you so much, and I will endure till you move on. Do you love me?"

she asked, her voice gentle and sincere.

Alfred's heart ached as he looked at Sophie, her eyes filled with a deep longing.

He knew he didn't deserve her unwavering love and patience.

"Sophie, I... I care about you deeply,"

Alfred stammered, trying to be honest.

"You make me happy, and I appreciate your love. But, I must confess, my heart still carries a piece of Alexia and I'm working on it, I promise."

Sophie nodded, a small smile on her face.

"I know, Alfeey. And I'll wait for you to heal. I just need to know that you're worth it."

Alfred took her hand, his eyes locked on hers.

"You are worth it, Sophie. You deserve all the love in the world, and I'll try my best to give it to you."

The tension in the room eased slightly, as Sophie's love and understanding enveloped them.

But the memory of Alexia still lingered, a constant reminder of Alfred's unfinished business with his past.

But deep down in Sophie's mind, she hated his ex, and she couldn't help but feel curious about this woman who still held a piece of Alfred's heart.

"What's her name?" Sophie asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Alexia," Alfred replied with a smile, which showed his still-flickering love for her.

"Her dad?" Sophie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Martin Locke,"

Alfred answered, starting to wonder where Sophie's questions were leading.

"Her husband?"

Sophie asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Alfred's eyes widened in realization.

"Why are you asking all this, Sophie?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Sophie's expression turned innocent.

"Just curious, that's all,"

she said, but Alfred sensed a hint of jealousy beneath her words.

The conversation ended there, but Alfred felt a growing unease. He knew Sophie's questions weren't just harmless curiosity, and he wondered what she was planning.

The memory of Alexia and the lingering emotions he still held for her had become a sensitive topic, and Alfred hoped Sophie wouldn't push him further into a corner.

Sophie drove for hours, her mind racing with thoughts of Alfred and his lingering feelings for Alexia.

She finally stopped at a secluded spot, and a man in black attire, including a black hat, entered her car.

"I sent you her details,"

Sophie said, her voice firm.

"Find everything about her. I mean everything."

She handed him a stack of cash, and the man's eyes widened with excitement.

He took the money without a word, his gaze gleaming with anticipation.

The man nodded and began to count the cash, his fingers moving quickly. Sophie's eyes narrowed, her mind focused on the task at hand.

"Get me everything,"

she repeated, her voice firm.

"I want to know every detail about Alexia and her family."

The man nodded again, his face expressionless.

"Consider it done,"

he said, his voice low and mysterious. He exited the car, disappearing into the darkness, leaving Sophie to await the package that would uncover the secrets she sought.

Sophie's mom entered her room, concerned about her daughter's whereabouts and state of mind. But what she found was a shocking revelation.

The room was plastered with pictures of Alfred, some of which were from before they even met at the bar.

Sophie's mom realized that her daughter's fixation on Alfred went far beyond a normal crush.

"He doesn't love me enough, he still loves the girl,"

Sophie said, her voice laced with an unsettling intensity.

Her mom saw a different Sophie,

one who sounded obsessed, like she had mental issues.

The room seemed to be a shrine to Alfred, and Sophie's mom worried about the depth of her daughter's emotions.

"Sophie, honey, maybe you should take a step back and reassess your feelings,"

her mom suggested, trying to reason with her.

But Sophie's gaze remained fixed, her eyes blazing with an unsettling passion.

"I love him, Mom. I'll make him mine."

The room seemed to grow darker, as if Sophie's obsession was suffocating everything around her.

Her mom knew she had to intervene, but she feared it might be too late.

Sophie's fixation had taken a dangerous turn, and her mom worried about the consequences.

Sophie's mom tried to talk sense into her, but Sophie became angry, her eyes flashing with a fierce intensity.

Her mom realized that Sophie's fixation on Alfred was more than just a passing infatuation.

"Sophie, honey, please listen to me. You need to let go of this obsession. It's not healthy,"

her mom said, trying to reason with her.

But Sophie's anger escalated, and she slammed her door shut, leaving her mom worried and concerned.

Sophie's mental health issues, which had been present since her former boyfriend's death, were now spiraling out of control.

In a flashback, Sophie was seen scrolling through the internet when she stumbled upon Alfred's pictures for the first time.

He was introduced as the CEO of the new interior decor company in the city.

Sophie was immediately drawn to him, especially because he bore a striking resemblance to her former boyfriend who had died.

Her obsession began then, fueled by her grief and longing for what she had lost.

As the days went by, Sophie's behavior became increasingly erratic, her fixation on Alfred consuming her every waking moment.

Her mom feared for her daughter's sanity, knowing that Sophie's mental health issues needed urgent attention.

But Sophie refused to listen, convinced that Alfred was her only salvation.