Chapter 3:

The following day, Sophia woke up as usual. She taped her mother, "Mama," her mother opened her eyes slightly and looked at her. She greeted her and told her about her new job and needed to hurry to meet up with time, as Lisa would be watching after her.

Sophia does not have time to wait. She went to the workplace, and the manager instructed her on what to do.

The café bustled with customers on her first day. Sophia moved quickly, balancing trays, cleaning tables, and taking orders. 

Today was the first day of this type of work, it wasn't her experience. She was exhausted but determined to work hard and prove herself. 

In the middle of the busy afternoon, some two men came in with their exotic car. 

One of them—tall, and dressed in an expensive suit—froze the moment he saw her. His sharp color eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost. He kept staring at her.

She saw them, she went and greeted them, took their order, and served them.

The man, Richard Edison, leaned toward his colleague. "Do you see her?" he murmured. Meeting Sophia reminds him about his late wife.

His friend followed his gaze. "She looks just like—" "I know," Richard said. He was surprised to see that kind of resemblance, he had never encountered such a face before.

He couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked 'exactly' like his late wife. The same delicate features, the same warm brown eyes, the same soft curve of her lips. It was unbelievable, to him, as he kept gazing at her throughout that moment.

Sophia, feeling their stares, swallowed hard and continued working. But she could still feel the man's eyes on her. She pretended as if she was not feeling it.

Later, as they finished, one of them called her and paid her for the order with extra change. She wanted to give them back the remaining balance of the money. 

" Where do you stay?" he interrupted immediately. "Seaside village," she responded. "Oh, You can use the remaining change for your transport. "Thank you, Sir," she said and smiled gently. Then, they get up and leave.

Sophia was afraid, in her life, she would rather not be too associated with people she didn't know. She went to the manager and told him what happened. 

"Please Mr. Manager," "Godson. My name is Godson, not Mr. Manager" The manager corrected her promptly. "Okay! Mr. Godson, do you know that man who paid me the money?" 

"His name is Richard Edison, he is the CEO of Edison's company. One of the biggest companies in this town." Mr. Godson, the manager, replied to her. 

Sophia jumped, confidently. "Yes, I had that name before. "Richard Edison is a popular person in this town," she said. 

"But how could he give me money that I never worked for?" She asked again. "Maybe he appreciates your service." The manager responded.

She was pleased for the remaining hours, later she finished for the day and went home.

Her mother was sleeping, she couldn't do anything as she was exhausted, she went and showered, then came back and lay down on her bed later she fell asleep.

The next day, she woke up very late, her mother was still sleeping. She ran out to Lisa's room, begged her to look after her mother and gave her some money, she would rather not be late today.

She checked her watch, it was 8:20 AM. Not only that, but she was supposed to be there around 8 o'clock. She rushed to the road and boarded a taxi to the Café, then she walked to the manager.

She greeted him. "Please, I apologize for coming late today, there was traffic on the way." She said and glanced at the manager's face. "No problem," the manager said. "Thank you sir" She responded with a smile on her face.

Sophia started working, and later that day, Richard Edison showed up again with three of his friends.

Sophia saw them as they stepped into the café, she went and greeted them with a soft smile, she arranged chairs for them and cleared the table for them.

However, Richard didn't sit together with them, he sat down separately in one corner.

She asked them for their order. 

"What would you like to order?" she asked, forcing a polite smile. 

Richard didn't answer as he was pressing his phone.

The other three men gave their order, and she returned to Richard Edison, "Sir, what would you like to order?" "I'm not hungry," he said 

"Please sir, take something" She insisted for him to take something." Alright, Richard cleared his throat. Sophia smiles.

"Give me a half cup of coffee." He said, his tone soft. She nodded and went inside to bring their order.

He studied her, as if searching for something. As Sophia was going, she slightly turned her face to Richard with a sharp look, Richard still never took his eyes off her.

After serving them, some minutes later, when she was less busy, she sat down to watch Richard, he was a handsome guy. She looks at him, trying to capture his attention. But, he was busy pressing his phone.

They later finished and they wanted to go. Richard called her. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" He said looking at her.

Sophia hesitated. "I'm working, sir." 

"It won't take long." Richard said. Sophia turned to look at her manager, who had been observing her, and the manager nodded. "Go ahead. Just be quick."

Sophia wiped her hands on her apron and sat down opposite Richard. "What do you want to talk about?" 

"I need a personal assistant," he said politely. "And I want you to work for me." 

Sophia blinked. "Me? But you don't even know me." 

"True," he admitted. "But I have a good instinct about people. And I can see you're hard-working."

"I already have a job here, or how do you expect me to leave my present job for you?"

"How much is your salary?" Richard asked. "I'm on trial period" she responded instantly.

"I'll pay you five hundred dollars a week, and one thousand dollars bonus per month." He said and started pressing the phone.

Sophia nearly choked. "Five hundred dollars a week, and one thousand dollars bonus per month?" That was more money than she had ever seen in her life. 

He gazed at her again, "You're on a trial," Richard pointed out. "Why settle for uncertainty when I'm offering you security?"

Sophia does not have any options anymore. She left the sit and went to the manager who was sitting at the shop. She explained everything to him and let him know about her sick mother, she required money, and she'll accept the job from Richard.

The manager gave her the go-ahead and wished her Good luck. 

However, the thought of her sick mother, lying weak in bed, made her decision for her. She came back to Richard. "I accept the job," she said softly. 

A small smile played on Richard's lips. "Good. My company car will pick you up this evening." 

Richard collected her home address, he paid her for the order and gave her extra money for transport. He jumped into their car and they drove off.

Sophia swallowed. Just like that, her life had changed. She rushed to the manager, "Thank you sir for a three-day trial." She said happily. 

He wished her good luck. She sat down, her eyes full of tears of joy.

At that moment, she wiped out her tears "Had she made the right choice?" She asked herself.

"Richard Edison." Who is she? How did she become attractive to him? Was this luck? Or something else entirely? Her thoughts are full of different questions. Currently.

But, she snapped her finger with a smile. "I am a lucky girl," she said to herself.