14. First meet at company

The next morning, as planned, they arrived at the company separately. Sophia took extra care with her appearance, wanting to project confidence and professionalism. Yet, as she walked through the familiar halls of the company, there was a strange sense of anticipation lingering in the air, one that she couldn't quite shake off.

When she finally stepped into the conference room, she was greeted by the usual bustle of her colleagues, all of whom seemed to be in unusually high spirits. The annual meeting was always a significant event, but this year, there was an added excitement—everyone knew that the mysterious and rarely-seen company owner, Lucas, would be attending.

Sophia took her seat, her heart pounding slightly as she waited. Despite knowing Lucas's true identity, she couldn't deny the growing sense of awe and disbelief that settled over her. It was almost as if the events of the past few days had been a dream—a surreal experience that didn't quite fit with the reality she was accustomed to.

Then the door opened, and Lucas entered the room.

The reaction was immediate. A wave of energy swept through the room as every head turned toward him, the excitement palpable. Lucas moved with an air of quiet authority, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that accentuated his powerful build, and his expression was calm and focused, as though he had been in control of every aspect of the day since the moment he woke up.

Sophia watched him, unable to tear her eyes away. There was something surreal about seeing him in this context, surrounded by their colleagues and subordinates. The Lucas she had shared intimate moments with last night seemed almost like a different person—this was the Lucas who ruled the company, the enigmatic figure who was revered and respected by everyone in the room.

As he took his place at the head of the table, she felt a strange mixture of pride and distance. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time, and yet she couldn't help but feel that familiar, almost magical connection that had begun to form between them. The thought made her heart flutter, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the papers in front of her to hide the emotions that threatened to surface.

Throughout the meeting, Lucas was every bit the leader that everyone expected him to be—decisive, intelligent, and deeply involved in every aspect of the company's operations. He spoke with clarity and confidence, making it clear that he was in control. And yet, every now and then, his gaze would briefly meet Sophia's across the table, and in those fleeting moments, she saw something softer, something that reminded her of the man she had come to know outside of this professional sphere.

For Sophia, the meeting felt like a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, she had to maintain her composure and professionalism; on the other, she couldn't help but feel a deep, almost dreamlike connection to the man who, just hours ago, had been holding her hand under the stars.

By the time the meeting ended, Sophia was left with a strange sense of disorientation. Everything seemed to have gone smoothly, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still in the midst of some fantastical story, one where reality and her own emotions were becoming increasingly difficult to separate.

As the room began to empty, Lucas lingered for a moment, catching Sophia's eye once more. There was a subtle nod between them, a silent acknowledgment of the unique bond they shared—one that they both knew had only just begun to unfold.

After the morning meeting, Sophia had barely settled back at her desk when she received a message from Lucas's assistant, asking her to come to his office. Her colleagues, who had already noticed the rare appearance of the company's enigmatic owner at the meeting, immediately began speculating about the reason behind the sudden summons. She could feel their curious glances and hear the hushed whispers as she made her way to Lucas's office.

When she entered, she found Lucas sitting at his desk, looking as composed as ever. However, there was a playful glint in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat. He leaned back in his chair and gave her a teasing smile.

"So," he began, his tone light and mischievous, "how are you holding up? Still adjusting to everything?"

Sophia couldn't help but smile back, though she felt a little flustered by his casual teasing. "It's... a lot to take in," she admitted, glancing around the office as if it might offer her some sense of normalcy. "But I think I'm managing."

Lucas chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Good," he replied, his voice softening as he looked at her. "I know things have been a whirlwind lately, but I'm glad to see you're handling it so well."

There was a brief pause, during which Sophia felt the warmth of his gaze on her. It was in moments like this that the reality of their new relationship really began to sink in—this man, who was both her husband and her boss, held so much power over her life now, both professionally and personally.

"By the way," Lucas continued, his tone shifting to something more casual, "how about we skip the dinner out tonight? I was thinking I'd cook for you instead."

Sophia blinked, surprised by the offer. "You... want to cook for me?" she asked, trying to picture the suave and sophisticated Lucas in the kitchen.

"Why not?" he said with a grin. "It's been a while since I've had the chance to cook, and I thought it might be a nice way for us to unwind after everything that's happened. Plus, it'll give us a chance to talk without any interruptions."

Sophia felt a flutter of excitement at the thought. The idea of Lucas cooking for her, of spending a quiet evening together in their home, was both surprising and incredibly appealing. "That sounds wonderful," she agreed, her voice soft and sincere.

"Great," Lucas said, his smile widening. "I'll make sure everything's ready by the time you get home. Just leave dinner to me."

As she left his office, Sophia couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—curiosity, excitement, and a deepening sense of connection with Lucas. The thought of the two of them sharing a quiet evening at home, away from the prying eyes of the world, filled her with anticipation.

But as she returned to her desk, she also couldn't shake the feeling that her colleagues were watching her even more closely now. They were undoubtedly wondering what could have possibly been discussed in Lucas's office, and the curiosity was almost palpable. Sophia knew she'd have to keep her emotions in check, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, especially when Lucas kept finding ways to surprise and delight her at every turn.