Sophia turned back with a soft smile.
“Wait till you’ve got a girlfriend.
Once you’re holding her hand, you won’t be saying all this.
By then, everything else won’t even matter—she’ll be your whole world.”
We got back in the car.
As the engine started and we drifted through the city streets, Sophia tapped a button to play some music.
The speakers let out the familiar tune of “Lover”.
“Sophia, if half a year from now I’m still single, do you think you’d ever fall for me?”
“Can you tell me why you like me?”
“People always say love doesn’t need a reason.
But with you— I’ve got plenty.”
“Really?
Like what?”
“Your beauty totally messed with my head.
It’s like I didn’t even have a choice—I just fell.”
“Andrew, it means something to me that you feel that way.
But I’m not planning on falling for anyone again.”
“Not even your little admirer here?”
“No.
Andrew, I hope you understand.
I can’t accept your feelings—not because I don’t like you, but because I don’t want to lead you on.
I’d rather we stay close like this…
outside of work, just friends who get along well.”
“Alright, Sophia.
Whatever you say.”
She turned up the volume a little.
It was one of my favorite songs, usually—but sitting next to her now, her charm messing with every part of my mind, there was no way I could listen properly.
Not tonight.
As the song played, I started thinking—do I actually see Sophia the way this song talks about a lover?
Was I really treating her like one in my heart?
“You like this song?” she asked suddenly.
Without even thinking, I answered, “I do.”
“Andrew, I know what’s on your mind.
Whether it’s real feelings or just because you’re lonely and looking for someone to lean on, either way…
it’s nice to know someone out there sees me.
Meeting you in this huge city—it makes me feel lucky.”
“That makes me happy too, Sophia.
And I can tell you for sure—I didn’t fall for you out of boredom.
The moment I invited you home that day, your elegance and beauty just…
hit me.
After you left, I kept thinking about you.
Day after day.
Hoping someday I’d bump into you again.
And I did.”
Saying that, I reached over and rested my hand on her thigh.
The car moved on slowly, quiet.
My hand stayed on her the whole time—feeling her warmth, feeling that she was really here.Sophia showing up out of the blue totally caught me off guard—in a good way.
The whole ride, I couldn’t stop hoping tonight would change things, that maybe…
maybe this time we wouldn’t have to say goodbye again.
Even if, in her eyes, I’m just one of her employees, and she’ll never see me as anything more—I really don’t care.
As long as I can talk to her, hear her laugh, catch that faint scent of her perfume…
just having her around makes everything feel less empty in this giant city.
She’s completely taken over my heart.
Just one night, that one night with her, and I was a goner.
Everything about her—the way she moved, the way she talked—my body and my feelings didn’t stand a chance.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her, replaying every second of that night—the warmth, the closeness, all of it.
That’s just how Sophia is though.
She’s the kind of woman who leaves you breathless just by walking into the room.
One look and you’re hooked.
The car moved slowly, like she wasn’t in a hurry to get rid of me either, and yeah, I was all for it.
I honestly wished the city would stretch on forever, that we’d keep driving without ever getting to my place.
That way, I could stay beside her just a little longer, listen to her voice, feel her presence.
But we did stop.
Right in front of my building.
I hesitated, didn’t want to open the door.
I just stared at her, thinking how much I wanted to ask her, “Sophia, come up with me, stay a while.”
But I didn’t dare.
I chickened out.
She’s my boss now.
All I can do is respect her like she told me to, pretend all those feelings aren’t tearing me apart inside.
Sophia wants me to forget what happened that night.
Forget how she made me feel.
But how can I?
I simply can’t.
“We’re here,” she said.
I glanced outside and muttered, “Yeah, looks like we are.”
“Go on, get upstairs.”
“Do you wanna come in?
She shook her head.
“Better not.
If I go up…
I might not want to leave.”
I reached for her hand, leaned in, hoping for a kiss, something—anything—but she pulled back gently, stopping me.
“If you really don’t want me to leave, then don’t leave.
Stay.
I want you here tonight,” I said.
She sighed.
“Andrew, I can’t.
If I give in to this…
what if one day I got too deep and couldn’t crawl out?
What if I fall for you without meaning to?”
“But I’ve already fallen for you.” My voice cracked as I held her hand tighter, rubbing my thumb over it, heart aching.
Sophia reached up and grazed my cheek softly—just like she did back then, lying beside me.
There was a kind of tenderness in her eyes that broke me a little.
That night, she touched me just like this, her fingers so gentle, her eyes full of something that felt like love.
It was burned into me.
“Listen to me, Andrew.
Go get some rest.
Forget about me.
I’ve lived more than you—I’d only hold you back.
You’ll meet someone someday who’s truly right for you.”
“I just don’t get why you’re pushing me away.”
“I’ve been married before.
What would your friends say?
That the woman you’re crazy about is someone who already had a husband?
I’m looking out for you.
People talk, and it’s not just you who’ll get hurt—they might come for your family, too.”
“I don’t care.”
“Don’t be stubborn.
Go.
Or I’ll get annoyed.”
After that, she turned her head, not looking at me anymore.
“Alright then…
drive safe, Sophia,” I choked out before stepping out.
With every step I took, I turned back, again and again, watching her in that car, each glance heavier than the last.
It was goodbye, but I hated how final it felt.