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Sophia Parker's life took a turn when a modest young man who introduced himself as Alex walked into her Café, and left her a tip and a thank you note that she waved off. He became a regular customer in her Café and engaged her in friendly conversations, taking her for a walk and a date which he tagged a friendly one. Alex grew to love her simplicity and intelligence and got fond of her. Their love got ignited and they bask in their euphoric attraction. What Sophia didn't know was that her modest boyfriend who reportedly is a guy struggling to get a job is the billionaire tech guy, Alexander Rothschild. Things fell apart when Sophia got an offer to work in a Company in the neighboring city and was perplexed when her modest boyfriend was sitting among the interview committee and he's introduced as the CEO. When their relationship was on the verge of recovery from the deception it was earlier built on, Jacqueline Sinclair emerged with Alex's worst nightmare, Lylah and they are here to stay, disrupt and destroy. Jacqueline claimed to be pregnant for him and on hearing that news, Ava slumped and was rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Chronic kidney failure. Will Sophia survive? Will Alex and Sophia's love thrive through these adversities?
THYE CAFÉ 5 pm
"One cup of Espresso" A hasty customer ordered.
"Coming right up" Sophia responded cheerfully.
She brewed the coffee with a smile on her face, made a love design on it, and served it with a smile.
"Happy drinking" She wished heartily and the customer flashed her a smile and left.
She sighed and started cleaning the counter. That has been her daily routine. Brew a coffee with a smile, serve with a smile, and do everything with a smile even though her situation permits her to just lose it and cry down torrents of tears.
Her phone rang and she ransacked her bag to bring it out. The number calling was saved as "Clio's class teacher". She heaved a sigh and picked up the phone slowly.
"Hello" She muttered.
"Hi, this is Clio's class teacher" The voice said.
Sophia nodded as if she could see her.
"I've been trying to call you but your number has been busy" The lady on the other end continued.
Sophia has seen the call but ignored it on purpose because she has run out of excuses to stall them.
"I'm sorry about that. I left my phone at home" Sophia lied.
"That's fine. I'm calling to remind you about Clio's tuition fee. It's long overdue and failure to pay might lead to withdrawal. Please make sure you pay as soon as possible" The lady relayed.
"No problem. Thanks for the reminder" Sophia mumbled.
"Alright. Bye" The call ended.
"Oh God" Sophia exclaimed gently when she dropped the phone. Her countenance fell drastically and sadness was evidently written on her face.
"Where do I get the money? My salary for this month isn't till the next two weeks... Gosh" She lamented again.
Her head dropped on the counter in dejection. She wouldn't have done that if it was rush hour. But it was already evening and people rarely come in during this time.
"Hello" A Soothing voice called out.
She jerked up in reflex and quickly masked her expression with a smile.
"What can I get you?" She asked perfunctorily.
"An espresso" He replied in an endearing tone.
Sophia looked at him and his blue eyes bored into hers.
"Coming right up" She took her gaze off him and set to work.
"It will rain very soon. Won't it?" The guy asked.
"Oh, really?" Sophia feigned interest.
She was not in the mood to strike up a conversation with a random person. She has a lot going on in her mind already.
"Yes" He nodded. "I'm Alex by the way" He started.
The coffee machine made a soothing noise.
"The forecasting agency predicted that there won't be any rain in the next two days. So, I think you're wrong sir" She blurted and focused her gaze on the brewing machine.
"They can be wrong you know, they are humans too" Alex pressed on.
"The thing here is not about them being humans. It's about them being expert and professionals in their Field. They are the ones who can predict the weather better because it's their area of expertise" She explained avidly.
Alex was stunned and only muttered an okay.
"Here comes your expresso. Happy drinking" She said with her usual smile.
Alex collected the coffee from her hand and their hands touched. Sophia's gaze locked with his again.
He brought out money from his pocket and dropped it on the counter. From the bulge, Sophia could tell it was more than the stipulated amount.
"I think you overpaid" She pointed out to him.
"Consider it a tip, For the conversation I enjoyed" He smiled boyishly and exited the Café.
Sophia stared at him until she couldn't see him anymore.
"What was that?" She wondered and felt her heart skip a bit.
No doubt, he was a handsome and simple guy with admirable facial features.
Sophia grabbed the money on the counter and felt a rustle with it. She looked at it and saw that it was a crispy folded paper.
Curiously, she opened it and it read thus: Your smile can light even the haziest of days.
Sophia felt her insides churn strangely as she read the handwritten note. She traced her fingers along the perfect handwriting on the note and let her fingers savor the smooth texture. She revered the sincerity of the letter and how It got to her. No doubt, she has been receiving random compliments but never has she received a handwritten one.
"When did he write this?" Sophia wondered.
She soon waved the feeling off and started preparing to leave.
"Sophia" A middle-aged man entered the Café and called her.
"Boss" Sophia flashed her most endearing smile.
"How is your health?" She asked.
"What can an aging man do than to hope for good health?" He replied heartily.
"How was sales?" He drew out a chair and sat closer to the counter.
"It was fairly better than yesterday's" Sophia divulged.
"Sounds fair enough. Let's make calculations and you can close for the day" He said.
Sophia brought out all the money she made and they both counted it and sorted it out.
"Thank you Sophia" He appreciated genuinely.
"You're welcome boss" Sophia responded cheerfully.
"I will see you tomorrow" He said and walked to the entrance.
"Boss" Sophia called out in a low but audible tone.
"Yes" He stopped in his tracks and turned to her.
Sophia clasped her hands together nervously but she reasoned that she had no other options.
"I need your help" She intoned shyly.
"Is everything okay?" He asked with concern laced in his voice.
"Yes. I mean no. It's Clio" Sophia stuttered.
"Clio? What happened to her? Is she sick?" The man panicked.
"No, she's well and healthy" She refuted.
"So, what's the matter?" The man pressed on patiently.
"Her school fees have been long overdue and the school is considering her withdrawal" Sophia explained melancholically.
"That's so sad" The man sympathized.
"Please, can you give me a salary in advance? Please" Sophia pleaded with misty eyes.
She detests doing things like this but she has no choice if she still wants Clio in school.
"I'm sorry Sophia but I have to pay for my health fee"
"Oh right" Sophia felt guilty for bothering the ailing man.
"But I will see what I can do and get back to you" He assured her.
"I will really appreciate that sir" Sophia eyes lit up.
"Pack up quickly and go home to Clio" He urged and exited the Café.
...................................
Sophia walked down the lively street deep in thought. She was oblivious to the excitement and buzz around her as she concentrated on the wants gnawing her insides. Closing time is when she has the time to brood as she is busy offering the happiness she didn't get to strangers over a cup of espresso during work hours.
The lyrics of Jeiel Damina's song boomed through the speaker and the lyrics etched into her soul.
And if you feel under pressure
Lost a close treasure
Broke beyond measure
You gotta remember you're not what they call you
Can't limit yourself to what people tell you
You're the final word!
"All will be well" She consoled herself and continued her short journey home.
Her mind drifted to the stranger who had written her a note earlier. She found herself thinking more about him but she soon waved it off as just a mere kind gesture. She got to the entrance of her small but decent one-bedroom apartment. That was all she could afford for Clio and her.
"Leave me alone or I scream" That was Clio's distressed voice.
Sophia was alarmed, she kicked the door open in reflex and yelled her name.
"Clio"
Sophia Parker’s life took a turn when a modest young man who introduced himself as Alex walked into her Café, and left her a tip and a thank you note that she waved off. He became a regular customer in her Café and engaged her in friendly conversations, taking her for a walk and a date which he tagged a friendly one. Alex grew to love her simplicity and intelligence and got fond of her. Their love got ignited and they bask in their euphoric attraction. What Sophia didn’t know was that her modest boyfriend who reportedly is a guy struggling to get a job is the billionaire tech guy, Alexander Rothschild. Things fell apart when Sophia got an offer to work in a Company in the neighboring city and was perplexed when her modest boyfriend was sitting among the interview committee and he’s introduced as the CEO. When their relationship was on the verge of recovery from the deception it was earlier built on, Jacqueline Sinclair emerged with Alex’s worst nightmare, Lylah and they are here to stay, disrupt and destroy. Jacqueline claimed to be pregnant for him and on hearing that news, Ava slumped and was rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Chronic kidney failure. Will Sophia survive? Will Alex and Sophia’s love thrive through these adversities?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!