135 135- My number is…
“Urgh. So, they plan to have romance in my car and send me
accompany the kids. Smart move, Rafael”
to deliver this laptop. And t
She was still talking to herself when she stepped out of the elevator and rang the bell of the penthouse entrance.
“Who is this?” she heard a man’s voice inside.
Who was with the kids? Rafael never mentioned anyone here.
Oh my God! I hope the kids are safe.
Should I call Marissa?
No. She would panic.
How about hotel security?
“Who the fuck is this?‘ the man was annoyed and raised his voice a little. Sophia realized that it had a hint of sleepiness to it. She was still standing there in confusion when the door opened with a click and a man came out wearing a slick waffle robe with disheveled hair.
He was looking at her through half–closed eyes and Sophia thought she was familiar with the
face.
“Umm. I think I have knocked on the wrong door,” she showed him the laptop, “I needed to deliver it to Rafael Sinclair. No problem. I’ll ask the reception desk.”
She had turned on her heels when he quickly stopped her, “Hey. Did you say, Rafael Sinclair?” He rubbed his eyes with his fists and tried to open her eyes wide.
He even slapped his face a few times.
When he looked at her again his eyes turn into thin slits, “Y…you? Doctor Sophia?”
Sophia frowned, “Oh my God! Joseph?”
It dawned on her, what Rafael tried to do here. She wanted to strangle his neck.
For God’s sake. She was in PJs and didn’t even apply makeup.
“Please come he stepped aside and opened the door wider.
She was hesitant at first but now there was warmth in his eyes.
She entered the penthouse and couldn’t help but admire everything about this place. The décor was modern but sleek.
“If you haven’t arrived here yet, Marissa then you are missing so much, She thought to herself. Walking slowly, she went to the glass walls where the curtains were drawn back, offering the panoramic city view of Kanderton.
“It’s breathtaking, she glanced around and then turned to him, “You have great taste.”
He shook his head and stood right close to her. The credit goes to Rafael. I have got my house
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135 135- My number is…
here it’s on twenty–ninth street. I hope you’ll like it.
Was it a subtle invitation she detected in his tone?
He was now scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. She also felt a little clumsy standing like
this.
“Umm. I think… I should meet the kids and say hi. Where are they?” she looked around for the mini army who could wreck the place in minutes.
He chuckled softly, “They are sleeping. Slept late due to the movie night.”
Sophia nodded with a nervous grin, “Right… umm. Then I think… I should go…”
“How did you get here?”
She pointed her thumb to the door, “By elevator,”
He tried to suppress the grin and rolled his lips between his teeth, “I’m talking about the hotel. How did you get here? Do you have a car?”
“Yeah. Rafael took it to drop Marissa to the office. Why?”
He shrugged and Sophia’s eyes stuck on the low neckline of his robe that was widening with his. every movement. It made her heart race as she tried to focus on the conversation.
He was saying something, and Sophia was staring at his mouth like a fool, “Wh…what… what did you say?”
He paused and regarded her face for a minute making her more nervous, “I’m saying…” he said softly, “How will you go back without your car? Why don’t you wait for Rafael?”
“Yeah!” she nodded wildly and brushed her fingers through her hair, “you are so right.” She wanted to ignore the warm sensation in her chest, but it was becoming too much.
“Would you like some breakfast? Or anything else you want from room service?” he offered her
with a smile.
“Nah! No need,” she held up her hand, “I just had coffee.”
“Are you sure? They make great omelet here,”
“N–No. Tha How to tell him that she gulped down those croissants and donuts before coming here? Urgh.
My tummy isn’t flat. Why?
Being a gynecologist how I used to guide everyone to stay on their diet and how I used to refer
them to a nutritionist.
This time she swore she would visit one herself. Her body needed a diet plan.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she realized that he was staring at her.
“Do you dye your hair?” the unexpected question was out of his mouth before he could stop himself. It caught her off guard.
“What?”
135 135- My number is….
“Y–Your hair color. It’s unique,”
“It’s unique because it’s dyed,” this time there was amusement in her voice. The corners of his mouth also curled up.
“I’m sorry for being a bad host. Please take a seat and excuse me for a minute. I need to go and change.”
“Why? You look fine!” she at last took a seat near the glass wall and folded her legs under her. There was so much ease in this action that he paused for a minute.
“Fine?” he looked down to examine his attire and she pinched the soft cloth of her cotton PJs, “You are looking better than me. At least you are not delivering the laptop like this.”
They both cracked up together.
Sophia felt the initial awkwardness melting away as he walked over and took another chair across from her.
He was handsome and thankfully had a good sense of humor.
“So, Dr. Sophia. Tell me who you are. And yes,” he got to his feet and went inside. When he returned, he had his phone in his hand, “this time I don’t want you to leave without giving your contact details. Now please…”
He waited for her to say the numbers.
Sophia grinned and sent a silent thanks to Rafael, “Sure. My number is…”