I entered a small coffee shop just near the office as Vivian offered to meet with her 'friend'.

I started looking around the cafe but Vivian was nowhere to be found.

"Oh, hi Sofia."

I turned to a familiar blonde, a friend of Hugo.

"Uhmm..." I started, trying to remember his name.

"James Guese."

"Yes, Hugo's friend." I shook his hand.

"Are you leaving?" He asked, as I was on my way to the exit.

"Yeah, I was suppose to meet a friend but I guess-"

"Hey Babe, got us a table?"

I turned to meet the girl who spoke.

"Vivian!"

"Sofia."

We spoke in unison.

"I see you already met my boyfriend. Sofia this is James, James this is Sofia, my best friend." Vivian smiled.

"Shall we take our seat?" James offered as he pulled a chair to both Vivian and I.

"I'll go ahead and order us some beverage." James kissed Vivian's forehead before heading to the counter.

"Okay spill, when have you even learn to keep a relationship from me?" I blurted after James left.

"I was gonna tell you, I promise. I met him a few months ago when I was on a job fair in Europe and after my stressful encounter with Rex, I went to drink with a hangover the next day and that's when I met James."

"Oh my gosh! Are you crazy?! Do you even know that they're friends?"

This made Vivian dumbfounded.

"Oh no! Oh no!" She paced.

"Vi, calm down."

She stopped as James placed a tray on the table.

"I bought you a Flat White, hope it's not that bad." James uttered as he handed the cup of coffee.

"No it's fine, thanks."

Vivian went silent so I brought up the topic, knowing Vivian won't like dating his ex's friend.

"James, you're friends with Rex right?"

James stiffened.

"F*ck!" He cursed loudly, making all the people turn to our table.

"Vivian Frank?" He mumbled.

Looks like they both got it.

"I'm happy the both of you ended up together. Really, I appreciate it but duty calls. Thanks for the coffee."

I stood from the chair and left the two. I wanted to help but maybe they need privacy more than counseling.


"Sofia." Jade called over as she covered the telephone, avoiding whoever is on the other line to hear her.

I walked over to the receptionist's table.

"Yup?"

"The President went to an appointment earlier and he wanted me to catch you up with things, he said to meet him after his four o'clock meeting and also prepared your attire for the evening."

"Th-thanks."

"No prob Sofia."

I headed to the office rather taken aback. I, the President's secretary is being 'catch up on things' and was told to meet Hugo after his meeting. I mean, isn't that my job.

I shook my head and started piling the office papers on my desk.

"Ms. Black, I brought the dress the President asked for."

"Dress?" I asked the man who just came from the elevator.

"Yes, for the gala event this evening."

"Oh, thanks you can placed it there."

After the guy left, I opened my phone and dialed Hugo's number.

"Ms. Black, I assume you're preparing for the gala." Hugo started as he answered the call.

"Speaking unprofessionally, Hugo you shouldn't have done this. A gala? I can't go Hugo."

"Why? Do you have another date with that Cop friend of yours?"

"What? No! Ughh, I can't go Hugo."

I heard him chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

"I think I like you better Ms. Black, unprofessionally."

I groaned not having the attention space to bother.

"Okay Sofia, I'll meet you after the gala."

Before I could protest the call ended.

I just sighed and finished my remaining paperworks.

I glanced on the wall where the clock hang and sighed. I placed the folders on the pile to be signed by Hugo and took my coat.

"Leaving early Miss Black?"

Gabe, the security guard greeted as he opened the glass double doors for me.

"Yes, I couldn't forge the President's signature so I left the papers for tomorrow when the President arrives." I jested and he laughed.

"Take care then Miss Black."

"You too, Gabe."

I stopped by a flower boutique and bought a bouquet of lilies and made my way to the cemetery.

"Hi Dad." I smiled as I placed the bouquet on the ground.

"It's been seven years Dad and I'm happy to say that I got promoted thou not in the HR as I wanted, but my new job's quite similar to my old one and I got quite the boss too."

I sighed as I caressed my father's headstone.

"I miss you Dad, I miss you so much." I mumbled and laid on the ground.

I took my Dad's favorite book on my bag and turned to page 132 of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. I started reading aloud and let time pass.

Hugo POV

I checked my GPS and found Sofia's location. Yes, I've been tailing her quite some time now, that's how I knew she was meeting up with Desmond and since I couldn't be in touch with her all the time I secretly tapped into her phone so I knew where she was at all times. I stopped by at a memorial site and found her lying on the ground reading a book. I got off my car and slowly walked towards her.

"And Mr. Burnaby's lean friend said: "Well, it didn't seem fair, her having everything." And Mr. Burnaby said acutely: "Well, it doesn't seem to have done her much good, poor lass." But after a while they stopped talking about her and discussed instead who was going to win the Grand National. For, as Mr. Ferguson was saying at that minute in Luxor, it is not the past that matters but the future. That's the end Dad." I heard her say as she slowly sat up and closed the book.

"But no worries I'll be buying another book after this." She added after placing the book in her bag.

"I'll be going then Dad." She bid and stood up.

"H-Hugo." She stuttered.

"I told you I'll see you after the gala." I smiled and walked towards her. I removed my scarf and laced it around her neck.

"Let me drive you home."

She nodded her head.


"Uhmm.." Sofia mumbled.

"Hmm?" I hummed.

"Nothing, it's personal so—"

"It's okay you can tell me." I assured.

"Uhmm.. about your father." She paused and looked at me.

"It's okay, he's effect on me was long gone." I smiled.

Honestly, it is gone. The only reason why he's bothering me now is because of his mistress.

"I'm sorry I was just curious." She apologized.

"If you're wondering why he slapped me last time, it was only because I was getting on his nerves. Before you were appointed to be my secretary, I fired my previous secretary because I found out that she was secretly servicing my father. It wasn't a problem that he was sleeping with other women since my mother already had filed divorce papers, it'll only take about a week before they permanently separate."

"I'm sorry."

I looked at her after stopping the car in front of her house.

Something made me do it.

I leaned forward and kissed her. I was about to let our lips separate when I felt her kissing back, the kiss was sweet and gentle it felt nothing like Amber's kiss. The kiss was comforting like it was speaking itself saying that she'll never leave me.

And so, we broke apart.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed my cheek and left my car.