Fuck!!!!!

Sophia blinked, her mouth falling open slightly as the words sank in. “I’ve… I’ve got the job?” she repeated, her voice trembling with disbelief. Then, as the realization hit her, a broad smile spread across her face. “Thank you! Thank you so much, ma’am. I won’t let you down. I promise I won’t.”

The woman chuckled lightly, clearly amused by Sophia’s exuberance. “I know you won’t,” she said with a reassuring nod.

Sophia’s excitement bubbled over. “When can I start?” she asked, barely able to keep still in her seat.

“You can start tomorrow, if it’s convenient,” the woman replied, standing and straightening her blazer. “Or next week, if you’d prefer. But you’ll need to submit an application letter first.”

Sophia was already on her feet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “I’ll write and submit the application letter today— right away! And I can start next week.”

The manager extended her hand, her smile warm and welcoming. “Welcome to the team,” she said. “We’re happy to have you.”

Sophia grasped the woman’s hand, her grip firm despite her trembling fingers. “Thank you,” she said, her voice earnest. “I’m so grateful. I can’t wait to join your fine establishment.”

The manager nodded once, then turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Sophia stood there, watching her retreating figure, her mind swirling with a mix of disbelief and elation.

For the first time in weeks, Sophia felt like she was finally stepping into a brighter future.

\--------------------

CEDRIC'S POV— 6 PM, From The Day Before, Back At The Penthouse In Ivry Hall college...

Cedric strode out of the master bedroom, his brows furrowed, his jaw tight. Each step he took reverberated through the sleek marble floor, the soles of his leather loafers clicking purposefully. His hand reached out to the polished brass handle of the guest room door, and with a firm twist, he pushed it open.

The room was dimly lit, the evening sun casting elongated shadows across the perfectly made bed. Cedric’s eyes darted to the crib stationed by the window— empty. His breath hitched. The silence hung heavy.

“Where the hell is she?” he muttered aloud, his voice slicing through the quiet as he ran a hand through his perfectly combed hair. He stood still for a moment, his sharp gaze scanning every corner of the room as if expecting Sophia and Michael to materialize from thin air.

Stepping back, Cedric shut the door with more force than necessary, the loud thud echoing in the penthouse hallway. He pivoted sharply on his heel, his mind racing. His steps quickened as he made his way to the kitchen, his posture rigid, his expression darkening with every passing second.

As he entered the spacious kitchen, the stainless steel appliances gleamed under the overhead lights. The scent of a faintly used dish detergent lingered in the air. Plates sat in disarray on the granite countertop, remnants of an earlier meal. Cedric’s eyes flickered to the wall-mounted cabinets, the refrigerator humming quietly in its corner, the microwave pristine and in its place. Everything was exactly where it should be— but Sophia and Michael wasn't in there.

He let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration audible and sharp. “Where are you?” he muttered under his breath, his voice low and edged with annoyance.

Turning on his heel, he exited the kitchen, his long strides carrying him through the corridor. His voice rose as he called out, “Sophia!” The name echoed against the glass walls of the penthouse, but no response came.

Entering the living room, Cedric’s eyes scanned the luxurious space, the soft cream couches untouched, the glass coffee table spotless, the wide-screen TV blank and lifeless. He called out again, his tone sharper, more demanding. “Sophia!”

The silence was deafening. Cedric pressed his lips into a thin line, the muscles in his jaw tightening. His hands balled into fists at his sides.

Without wasting another second, he marched toward the front porch. Stepping outside, he was met with the cool evening breeze. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the neighborhood, the tree-lined street eerily quiet, the houses across the way dark and uninviting.

“Where the hell are you?” Cedric growled under his breath, his patience wearing thin. He turned toward the backyard, his movements brisk and deliberate. The towering woods loomed behind the penthouse, their shadows stretching ominously under the fading sunlight.

“Sophia!” he shouted, his voice booming and raw. The sound carried through the trees, disturbing the stillness of the forest. His pulse quickened, his breath coming faster. “If this is some kind of trick, I demand you stop it now!” he bellowed, his anger evident in every syllable.

Silence greeted him once more, and Cedric’s frustration boiled over. He shouted her name again, louder, his voice tinged with desperation. The trees seemed to mock him with their indifference, swaying gently in the breeze.

Cedric stormed back into the penthouse, his mind racing with possibilities, none of them good. His footsteps echoed through the corridor as he headed straight for the master bedroom. His hand slammed against the wooden nightstand, snatching up his phone. He pressed the screen with trembling fingers, dialing Sophia’s number.

He pressed the phone to his ear, the dial tone ringing endlessly before her voicemail clicked in. His breath hitched.

“Damn it!” he hissed, his grip tightening on the phone as he redialed. Once again, the call went unanswered.

The third attempt ended the same way. With a growl of frustration, Cedric hurled the phone onto the bed, the device bouncing once before settling on the plush duvet.

“Fuck!!!!!” he roared, his voice echoing through the penthouse, vibrating through the very walls.