Colliding Paths

The sun was setting as Sophie walked out of the "Company of Music" building, the weight of her new job and the signed contract pressing heavily on her shoulders. She needed some comfort, some familiarity, so she decided to meet her friends at their favorite cafe, the one where she used to work during her school days.

Just as she was pulling out her phone to call Zara, the sound of screeching tires made her freeze. A sleek black car pulled up in front of her, the window rolling down to reveal Aiden's cold, piercing eyes.

"Get in," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sophie frowned, crossing her arms. "I have plans. I'm meeting my friends."

Aiden raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly out of the car. "Do I need to remind you about your brother? Who's looking after him while you're out playing with your friends?"

Her heart sank. She knew Lucas was vulnerable, but Aiden's words felt like a cruel jab. "You can't just control every part of my life," she shot back, though her voice lacked the confidence she wished it had.

Aiden smirked. "Watch me."

Sophie sighed, realizing she had no choice. Reluctantly, she got into the car, slamming the door behind her.

"Where to?" he asked, his tone laced with mockery.

"The cafe," she replied curtly. "It's just down the street."

Aiden scoffed. "Why should I waste my time dropping you there?"

"Please," Sophie said, her voice softening. "It's important to me."

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable, before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. But don't make a habit of begging me."

The cafe was warm and inviting, just as Sophie remembered it. The familiar smell of coffee and baked goods brought a wave of nostalgia, momentarily easing her anxiety.

Inside, Zane Mitchell was already seated at a corner table, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as Sophie entered, offering her a small smile.

"Hey, Sophie," he greeted.

"Hey, Zane," she replied, sliding into the seat across from him.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, the bell above the door jingled, and Ella Scott walked in. Her eyes lit up when she saw Zane, but her excitement was short-lived when she noticed how little attention he paid her.

"Zane," Ella said, sitting down beside him. "You've been ignoring my texts."

Zane sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ella, I told you. I'm not ready for anything right now."

"But it's been years," Ella said, her voice tinged with frustration. "You can't keep holding onto the past."

Sophie watched the exchange, feeling a pang of sympathy for Ella. It was clear she had strong feelings for Zane, but his heart was still stuck in a place she couldn't reach.

Outside, Aiden leaned against his car, his arms crossed as he waited for Sophie. He had no intention of going inside, but he wasn't about to let her wander off without supervision.

When Sophie finally emerged from the cafe, her friend Zara Bennett was with her. The two were deep in conversation, their laughter carrying through the evening air.

Aiden straightened, his gaze narrowing as he watched them approach.

"Sophie," he called, his voice sharp.

She froze, her smile fading. "What now?"

"Don't forget what I told you," he said, his tone low and menacing.

"I haven't," Sophie replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Zara looked between them, her brow furrowing. "Sophie, is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Sophie said quickly, forcing a smile. "Let's go inside."

As the two women walked back into the cafe, Aiden remained by his car, his jaw clenched. He hated the way Sophie defied him, but there was something about her spirit that he couldn't ignore.

Inside, the group was finally complete when Kai Roberts arrived, his usual carefree energy lightening the mood.

"Am I late?" Kai asked, dropping into a chair.

"Only by about twenty minutes," Zane said with a smirk.

Kai grinned, shrugging. "Fashionably late, as always."

The group settled into an easy rhythm, catching up on the past few years. For a moment, Sophie felt like her old self again, surrounded by the people who mattered most to her.

But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the weight of her new reality—the contract, her father's betrayal, and Aiden's looming presence.

As the night wore on, Sophie realized that no matter how much she wanted to escape, her life was no longer her own. And with Aiden in the picture, it was only going to get more complicated.

.....