#105 “I am Asking Alexander, not You.”
Amidst the elegant ambiance of Sophia’s apartment, the air carried a sense of familiarity and warmth as Sophia and Evelyn settled in for a candid conversation. Sophia, true to her promise, presented. Evelyn with the limited edition Burberry handbag.
“I can’t believe you actually bought me a bag. I was joking,” says Evelyn standing in front of the mirror posing.
“I know, but I wanted to make you happy,” Sophia replies. “Speaking of which you have a lot to tell me about London, the media has exploded,” says Evelyn. She sits back down next to Sophia and looks at her expectantly.
Sophia immediately delved into the narrative of her recent experiences, recounting the twists and turns that had defined her journey. Evelyn, an attentive listener, absorbed each detail, her eyes reflecting a blend of concern and empathy.
As Sophia unfolded the chapters of her life, Evelyn found herself drawn into the complexities of Sophia’s world-a world that had been entangled in a web of mystery, manipulation, and unexpected murder.
With the tale of Sophia’s exploits hanging in the air, the conversation naturally segued into Evelyn’s own life. Sophia, with genuine curiosity, inquired about Evelyn’s recent endeavors, eager to reciprocate the openness she had shared.
Evelyn, her demeanor shifting, began to unravel a different narrative-a story tinged with intrigue and a touch of uncertainty. She confessed to being entangled in a peculiar relationship in the past month.
“He’s interesting, Sophia, and we do everything that couples do,” Evelyn admitted her expression a mixture of fascination and bewilderment. “But when it comes to defining our relationship or introducing me to his. friends and family, he remains elusive.”
Sophia, her intuition finely tuned, absorbed Evelyn’s words. A thoughtful silence settled between them, allowing the weight of Evelyn’s confession to linger in the air.
“I think, Evelyn,” Sophia began, her voice gentle yet firm, “it might be worth considering distancing yourself from this relationship. You deserve clarity and openness, not a situation that leaves you in perpetual uncertainty.”
Evelyn, caught in the intersection of emotions, nodded in contemplation. The advice, though pragmatic, stirred a complex array of feelings within her.
As the evening unfolded, Sophia couldn’t shake the curiosity surrounding the enigmatic figure in Evelyn’s life. When Evelyn disclosed the person’s name – Kyle Vennillia-a. glint of recognition flashed in Sophia’s eyes. The name echoed familiarity, and Sophia’s mind raced to connect the dots.
“Kyle Vennillia, you said?” Sophia mused, a thoughtful expression etched on her face. “He’s a journalist, isn’t he?
Evelyn, her gaze searching Sophia’s face, couldn’t help but be drawn into the subtle mystery that seemed to dance in Sophia’s eyes.
“How did you know about Kyle?” Evelyn asked. Sophia, a half-smile playing on her lips, replied, “Let’s just say our paths may have crossed, albeit indirectly.”
The revelation sparked a playful exchange of banter between the two friends, their laughter filling the room. The ambiance, once charged with the weight of shared confessions, now carried a lighthearted energy as they navigated the intricacies of love and relationships.
“Speaking of connections,” Sophia began, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “have you considered confronting Kyle about the ambiguity in your relationship? It might be time to bring those unspoken feelings into the light.”
Evelyn caught between amusement and contemplation, sighed. “Sophia, you always have a way of cutting through the complications. Confrontation is not exactly my strong suit, but maybe you’re right.”
Sophia leaned in, her expression conspiratorial. “Think of it as a performance review for your relationship. You deserve to know where you stand and what role Kyle sees you playing in his life.”
Evelyn chuckled, appreciating the metaphor. “A performance review, huh? Maybe I should prepare a PowerPoint presentation.”
Sophia joined in the laughter, the camaraderie between them deepening. As the evening unfolded, the conversation seamlessly flowed between shared anecdotes, friendly advice, and the subtle dance of emotions that colored their discussions.
Sophia’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen to see a message from Alexander. The words sparked a flicker of curiosity and concern. “I have something important to tell you. Can we meet at Bistro 45?”
Evelyn noticed the change in Sophia’s expression. “Is everything okay?” she inquired, her eyes reflecting genuine concern.
Sophia hesitated for a moment before sharing, “Alexander wants to meet me at Bistro 45. He says he has something important to tell me.”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Bistro 45? That sounds serious. Do you think it’s about the ongoing investigation or something personal?”
Sophia shrugged. “I’m not sure. But it feels important. I’ll go and find out.”
Evelyn nodded understandingly. “Of course. You should go. I’ll wait for you at your apartment. Let me know how it goes.”
With that, Sophia excused herself, leaving her apartment building and stepping into the crisp night. She hailed a cab, and as the city lights blurred through the window, her thoughts danced between anticipation and uncertainty.
As Sophia arrived, she saw Megan and Alexander leaving the restaurant. Megan’s arm intertwined with Alexander’s, and a fleeting sense of discomfort brushed Sophia. Alexander, seemingly swaying slightly, appeared under the influence of alcohol.
Sophia, her concern deepening, approached them, her eyes searching Alexander’s face for any signs of distress. Megan, ever the orchestrator of drama, acknowledged Sophia with a smirk, her possessive grip on Alexander not escaping Sophia’s notice.
“Alexander, are you alright?” Sophia inquired, her voice laced with genuine worry.
Alexander, his words slightly slurred, assured her, “I’m fine, Sophia. Just had a bit too much to drink. Megan here is taking me home.”
“Are you sure? You texted me. You wanted to talk.” Sophia said gently.
“He is fine, Sophia.” Megan chimed in.
“I am asking Alexander, not you,” Sophia replied harshly.
“I am fine. Trust me.” Alexander said with a drunk smile. Megan added, “Yes, he insisted on another round, and things got a bit out of hand. But don’t worry, I’ve got him covered.”
Sophia, torn between concern and the desire to respect Alexander’s apparent choice, hesitated. The situation unfolded like a scene from a play she hadn’t rehearsed for. The air thickened with unspoken tension as Alexander, leaning on Megan for support, seemed determined to downplay the situation.
As they walked away, Megan’s possessive hold on Alexander did not go unnoticed by Sophia. She bit back the myriad of questions swirling in her mind, choosing, for the moment, to let the scene unfold without interference.
