#69 “Sophia is A Living Mystery.”
Sophia remained silent in the car on the way to the concert, staring out the window to avoid paying too much attention to Alexander.
“Why do you avoid me? You know I’m only driving you to the concert, not kidnapping you,” he joked, trying to break the ice.
“I know,” Sophia replied coldly, without looking at him. Ever since the evening of the carnival, especially after Alexander’s confession, Sophia had been avoiding any unnecessary contact with him. She was determined not to encourage his lingering feelings. Their divorce was final, and she believed it was for the best.
“I’m glad you’ll be there,” Alexander continued, attempting to maintain a conversation.
“I haven’t heard the maestro play in a long time,” was Sophia’s simple response.
Realizing that engaging in a conversation with Sophia was a challenge, Alexander decided to turn on the car’s radio. They continued the rest of the drive in silence.
Upon arriving at the birthday venue, Alexander noticed Sophia’s slight frown. He parked the car and rushed to open her door, offering his hand to help her out, but she declined.
“Don’t overdo it, Alexander,” she laughed. “You’ve seen me handle a firearm. Do you really think I need assistance getting out of the car?”
Alexander chuckled, trying to ease the tension. “No, but it won’t hurt if you let me at least pretend to be a gentleman.”
Their laughter lightened the mood as they headed towards the entrance.
When they stepped inside, the venue was already filled with people. Conversations came to a peaceful pause, and curious eyes turned toward Sophia as Alexander took her coat and handed it to the coat check attendant.
“I thought that was Michael’s girlfriend?” murmured a voice from the crowd.
“I thought so too.”
Alexander felt a wave of anger wash over him at the comments. He was about to explain the situation when Megan approached, throwing herself at him.
“You’re finally here!” she exclaimed, seemingly unfazed by Sophia’s presence.
“Hello Megan,” Alexander greeted her with a polite smile, though there was a hint of reluctance in his expression.
“Please come with me to wish your mother a happy birthday,” Megan said, gently tugging on his arm and pulling him toward the crowd.
Alexander’s eyes flickered briefly toward Sophia, a silent plea hidden within. He didn’t want to leave her, not when he had so few opportunities to be near her.
“No need to show me around; I know the place,” Sophia replied, her tone devoid of humor. “Go and fulfill your hosting duties. I’ll be fine.”
Before Alexander had the chance to respond, Sophia had gracefully disappeared into the crowd.
“Come on, Alexander, let’s go,” Megan urged again, gently squeezing his arm. With great reluctance, Alexander followed Megan, all the while unable to shake the image of Sophia from his mind. She looked stunning in that dress, and he couldn’t help but let his mind wander, imagining how it might look strewn on his bedroom floor.
However, he forced himself to focus on the present and put on a mask of conviviality as he exchanged pleasantries with the other guests while crossing the hall.
Megan chatted with him, her words washing over him, but his thoughts remained with Sophia. Unbeknownst to him, the guests couldn’t help but notice the shift from his earlier arrival with Sophia to his current appearance with Megan, sparking curiosity and whispered conversations among them.
Sophia spotted Evelyn in the bustling crowd and waved to get her attention. Evelyn politely excused herself from a conversation with an elderly couple and made her way over to Sophia.
“Thank you for rescuing me from the Andersons,” Evelyn quipped as she reached Sophia. “They’re sweet, but they do tend to chat endlessly.”
Sophia chuckled, seizing two champagne glasses from a passing waiter. She handed one to Evelyn and raised her glass for a toast.
“To friends who save us from the chatter,” Sophia proposed. “To friends,” Evelyn concurred, clinking her glass with Sophia and sharing a laugh.
With champagne in hand, they began to navigate the crowded venue, enjoying the lively atmosphere. When Evelyn playfully mentioned Alexander’s arrival with Sophia, a mischievous glint sparkled in her eye.
“I noticed you came with Alexander,” Evelyn teased. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Oliver was supposed to bring me, as always he was late and sent Alexander,” Sophia explained. but
“You made a great appearance,” Evelyn nudged her. “You all in red and he in black, you two were perfect.”
Sophia rolls her eyes and Evelyn continues. “You can’t deny it.”
Sophia scowls at Evelyn and gently grabs her by the shoulders and turns her slightly to the side. That way Evelyn was able to see how Megan had clung to Alexander.
“Ugh, her again?” Evelyn sighed, clearly unimpressed. Sophia gave Evelyn a stern look. “Now will you stop with this nonsense about the perfect couple?”
Evelyn flashed a sly grin, making one more point. “Sophia, a few things. First, Alexander looks pretty uncomfortable with her. Just look at him. Second, Megan’s behavior is dreadful. Alexander looks genuinely interested in you, despite her advances. And third, dear Sophia, no one mentioned a couple, except for you.”
Sophia was growing weary of the conversation. “Can we please stop discussing Alexander and simply enjoy the evening?”
“Maybe, but this Megan is driving me crazy. Look how she pushes at him and how sassy she is and…”
“Enough,” Sophia interrupted. “Okay, okay, I’m stopping… Let’s concentrate on the music, then. But I’m keeping an eye on her.”
Meanwhile, as Alexander and Megan made their way through the crowd, he received a text from his mother: “Come alone to the lounge.”
“Megan, I’m going to have to leave you for a while,” Alexander said, pocketing his phone.
“But I want to say hello to your mother, 11 she frowned, squeezing his hand tighter.
“I’m sorry, but that will have to wait,” he replied, breaking away from Megan. Before she had time to object, Alexander had headed off to his mother’s without giving Megan an explanation.
Inside the lounge, Caroline awaited her son with a mix of excitement and worry. She greeted him with a warm smile but didn’t waste any time with small talk.
“Alexander, has Sophia arrived yet?” Caroline inquired anxiously. Her tone was earnest, and she looked at him with a mother’s concern.
Alexander had known his mother long enough to realize that she might be somewhat fixated on the idea of him rekindling his relationship with Sophia. “Yes, Mother, she’s here.”
Caroline’s face brightened with anticipation. “That’s wonderful! You must be thrilled to see her. Alexander, you should make sure you spend more time with her tonight. Show her how much you’ve changed and how much you care.”
Alexander sighed and met his mother’s eyes. “I would love to, but you know how stubborn Sophia can be. She didn’t want me to accompany her. In fact, she’s been avoiding me.”
Caroline furrowed her brows, concern painting her face. “Why, Alexander? You really need to prove to her that you’re committed to making things work. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and I know she has feelings for you too.
Alexander leaned against the doorframe and ran a hand through his hair. “Mother, it’s not that simple. Sophia is… well, she’s determined to keep her distance from me. I’m trying my best, but I don’t want to push her too hard. I respect her decisions.”
Caroline nodded, understanding her son’s dilemma. “I know, Alexander, but sometimes you need to be a little more assertive. Just be yourself, and don’t let her slip away. You both deserve happiness, and I believe you can find it together.”
Alexander’s eyes softened as he looked at his mother. “I appreciate your concern, Mother. I’ll do my best to make things right with Sophia, but I don’t want to be too forceful.”
Caroline smiled warmly at her son. “I trust your judgment, Alexander. But remember, I’m here to support you and guide you if you need it. Now, go and enjoy the concert. I have a feeling it will be a remarkable evening.”
He was about to leave when Alexander noticed something. His mother was wearing the bracelet he had given for cleaning at the store. It was an heirloom, a family treasure passed down through the generations.
Seeing it reminded him of Sophia’s watch, the limited edition Patek Philippe he had come across at the jewelry store. A question had been lingering in his mind, and now, the sight of his mother’s bracelet compelled him to seek answers.
With a furrowed brow, Alexander turned to his mother, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Mother, do you remember the other day when I mentioned Sophia’s watch?”
Caroline, wearing the precious bracelet, looked at her son with a thoughtful expression. “Yes, Alexander, I remember. What about it?”
He paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the connection between our family and Sophia than we know. Was it all because of a promise, or is there a deeper history behind it?”
Caroline contemplated her son’s question, her eyes distant as if searching for answers in the past. ” Alexander, I must admit that I don’t know much about the intricacies of the previous generation. I do know that Sophia’s grandfather and your own grandfather were close friends. They had a history, a friendship that started when they were young.”
Alexander leaned in, listening intently. His mother’s explanation only deepened the mystery.
“She spent her childhood in the countryside for reasons I’m not privy to,” Caroline continued. “The complete history of their relationship is unclear to me. But I do believe there must be a profound connection between our families.”
Alexander let out a sigh. Sophia remained an enigma to him, a puzzle he was determined to solve. “Sophia is a living mystery, Mother. I know so little about her. You think I should try to unravel this connection, learn more about her past?”
Caroline offered her son an encouraging smile. “I believe it would be wise to try to understand the depths of her connection to our family but be careful, Alexander. She’s not an ordinary person. She’s strong, and she’s been through a lot. Consider how you can approach her and make her accept you once more.”
