Page 2 of Chasing Sophia

My brain screams at me as I run my clammy hands over the dress Luna loaned me. Even my fanciest clothes aren’t suitable for this hotel.

This isn’t who you are. Paying someone for a date, really?

I’m trying hard to keep my inner critic in check, but it isn’t easy. So, I try to reason with it and think of the last week’s lunch with the New Year’s Gala committee, where the top musicians from our town were invited. A few will be selected to perform at the event. I was shocked to receive the invitation letter, which explained how a series of informal meetings are planned, where the committee will get to know the participants well before they go into the shortlisting round.

I was looking forward to the luncheon all week, and not even for a second imagined it would be anything less than spectacular. But once again, my big mouth ruined everything. My tongue was possessed when, in response to Nicoleta’s question of if I was single, I mentioned my boyfriend, who couldn’t accompany me due to an unavoidable work situation.

A boyfriend that doesn’t exist!

But hell if thatfactstopped me from singing exquisite songs in praise of him—so much so that the head of the committee, Miss Tee, extended the invitation to next week’s dinner party to spouses and partners.

In my defense, Nicoleta had provoked me, as always. Seeing us now, I can’t believe there was a time when we were close. She was two years my junior at the In Tune Music Academy, and I often supported her whenever she struggled with assignments. But then she joined the same music school where I teach, as a sub music teacher. I didn’t even realize when our relationship dynamics changed from schoolmates to colleagues to rivals.

I close my eyes and like every day this past week, images of Nicoleta and her Italian boyfriend, Leonardo, flash before me. The way he charmed Miss Tee was both laudable and tacky.

No one’s asking your opinion, Soph.

He knew what he was doing, and he was exceptionally great at it, if Miss Tee’s scarlet face and girly laughter had anything to say.

“Are you ready to order, ma’am?” The sweet waiter visits my table once again. Not only the guests but even the servers are pretty in this place, as if being beautiful is one of the qualifying criteria for the job.

“I’m sorry. My… friend is running late,” I whisper, and he gracefully nods and leaves.

Where the heck is Jeremy? It’s fifteen minutes past eight. I straighten the strap of my watch and expectantly glance toward the entrance. Jeremy might not be European, but he’s my only hope. He works for Luna’s dad and from the pictures she has shown me, he is… neat.

Cropped hair. Lanky frame. I can at least joke with Miss Tee that I don’t need any chairs to reach the top shelves.

My only grief is that I’ll be shelling out my entire month’s salary at this dinner, because that’s what Jeremy asked inexchange of accompanying me as my fake boyfriend to Miss Tee’s party. The Queen’s apparently has the best holiday menu.

My eyes light up at the sight of a familiar face, as if it’s not Jeremy but Robert De Niro himself walking toward me.

“Hi. Sophia, right?” he asks and before I can nod, he pulls out a chair and flops down. I told him I’d carry the paperback ofLittle Womenso he didn’t have to search around for me, and I guess that helped.

Proving he is nothing but professional, Jeremy doesn’t even ask how I’m doing and straight away waves at the waiter.

I follow his movement before a deep voice brushes my skin. “Leave.”

My head jerks up, and I come face to face with the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. My heart skips a beat as I take in the dark whiskey eyes, sharp nose, and perfect chin. A face carved by the gods, or perhaps he’s an incarnation of Adonis himself.

My shallow breathing has almost stopped, and I blame it on the lack of oxygen in my brain when I spot,after several beats,him gripping Jeremy’s collar.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I practically shout. “Leave him alone!”

“You know this guy?” The stranger stares down at me. His jaw is clenched so tightly that I can almost hear his teeth grinding.

“What’s your problem, man? I’m her date.” All of Jeremy’s attempts to get out of that tight hold end up in vain.

“I don’t think so.” The low warning in the stranger’s voice pulses in my veins. As much as my heart unexpectedly rattles like a wild animal in a cage, I’m not liking his actions, especially with the way he’s gathering attention from the neighboring tables.

“Sophia, I only agreed to be your fake date because you were desperate.” Jeremy’s pale face turns more pallid by the second. “I’ve no interest in dealing with your jealous ex, or whoever he is.”

“He is not—” The rest of my words don’t get a chance to see the light of day, as Jeremy takes a step toward the door as soon as the stranger’s grip loosens.

Panic squeezes my lungs as I watch my last hope slipping out of the ostentatious but beautifully decorated hall. I grab my purse and scamper off in hopes of catching up to Jeremy. I’ve just stepped out, no Jeremy in sight, when someone grabs my arm. Lightning sizzles inside me as I turn around to face the same stranger.

“He isn’t worth your time.”

I hold back the uncharacteristic slew of hate words forming in my brain. “What… Why… Who?” I struggle with which question to voice first.

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