simplicity of his statement echoed in her thoughts, but it was the intensity behind it that unsettled her. Alexander

uch. All she knew was that her pulse was still racing, h

ughts of Alexander to the back of her mind. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, they crept in at the most unexpected moments-d

ad, haunting her with an uns

th such a look-a look that seemed to say more than what was spoken. There was an undercurrent between them t

self wondering-di

Sophia was lost in a sea of emails when the familiar sound of footsteps interrupted her focus. She looked up, star

ce betraying a hint of surprise

hings were going." His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, a certain le

ic, but productive." She pushed her chair back and stood. "Would you like a tour? We're getting ready

or her to finish the se

d the curation process. Sophia found herself slipping into her familiar role-passionate, informative, animate

vas. It was a striking abstract piece-swirling colors, bold, chaotic strokes. "I can't

It's meant to make you feel something. Whether it's love,

gaze sharp and thoughtful.

. "Art doesn't have to be beautiful to be valuable.

r with a curiosity that almost made her uncomfortab

ded. "I like th

avy, as if there were something more beneath the sur

at you said the other day,"

skipped a beat.

is voice low, almost intimate. "You're right.

She hadn't expected him to come back to that conver

hem. His presence was overwhelming-uncomfortably so, but also... undeniable. She could feel the

don't you, Ms. Rivera?"

llowed har

dark and unwavering. "Beca

eemed ready to articulate. Sophia felt her pulse quicken, a sudden awareness flooding h

'll let you get back to work," he said, his tone shifting back to its usual cool professionalism. "

tional or if she had simply read too much into their interaction. But one thing was

by," she said, her v

. "I'll be in touch soo

-leaving her standing there, he

as headed, but one thing was fo

work, but everything felt more charged now-like the air had shifted, and she was waiting for the

dio silence that she received

: Priva

Ri

e are a few things I'd like to discuss

aurant tomorrow evening at

xander

more intimate than anything she'd anticipated. But as she stared at the em

p breath and c