Chapter 138 - Getting closer (1)

On the East Coast, in a large office on 37th floor, Sophia checked the time, and saw that it's close to lunch.

After a short knock on the door, her assistant entered carrying a large bouquet of flowers in one hand and a vase in another. Sophia smiled and took the flowers from the assistant. "Thank you, Susan." Assistant nodded and disappeared through the door on the left to the bathroom with a vase in her hand.

Sophia checked the card that came with flowers, it said: 'You deserve flowers every day'. There was no name, but Sophia knows that it's from Felix. Those are the same words he said when they met for lunch with Sarah and Aiden... and those are the same words that came on a card with flowers to her office every day since then.

Susan approached Sophia with a vase now filled with water. "Boss...", she extended her hand to receive the flowers. "... we are running out of vases.", Susan teased, as she carefully placed flowers in the vase, admiring the white, pink and red lilies, mixed in with blue and purple wildflowers. "Should I put them with the others?", Susan asked Sophia.

Sophia nodded and her eyes followed Susan who walked with a vase now filled with flowers to a long desk which was filled with numerous vases full of flowers. Roses, geraniums, daisies, orchids, carnations...

Susan placed the vase on the desk and observed the variety of colors and shapes in front of her. "Boss, this looks like a flower shop." She deeply inhaled and held her breath which was filled with the scent of flowers. "And it smells like one!" Susan exhaled and looked at Sophia, "Do you know who is sending these?" Susan squinted her eyes hoping that Sophia knows and that she is about to find out.

Sophia smiled mysteriously.

Susan realized, "Oh, so you do know... and you don't want to tell me. I see...", she looked disappointed.

Sophia laughed. "You can go now."

Susan bitterly smiled and left the office.

Few minutes later, Felix entered Sophia's office after a short knock. He didn't wait for her to respond, and Sophia was surprised by his raising confidence.

Sophia cleared her throat. "Even if you know that I'm expecting you, you should not enter until I answer.", her voice was stern, but her lips were curved into a smile.

Felix smiled while walking toward her. Dimples decorated his handsome cheeks. "You are expecting me at this time? That is a progress we will celebrate today." He let out a small chuckle.

For days now, Felix was making sure to join Sophia for lunch. After few days of scheduling a lunch meeting with her, he stopped booking her calendar, and sent her a text in the morning reminding her that they will have a lunch together. At first, he was giving some reasons, like they need to talk about his designs... but soon even excuses disappeared. Now it was just him showing up to pick her up so they can go for lunch.

Sophia wondered at what point did she just accept it as normal to have a lunch every day with Felix. She even told her secretary and assistant not to book any lunch meetings. Felix was slowly and systematically filling up her schedule on and off work hours.

Felix looked at the flowers. "You received them?"

"Yes", Sophia smiled.

"Do you like them?", Felix looked at her with an innocent shine in his eyes, like a child waiting to be praised.

Sophia lightly tilted her head and responded while choosing her words. "Hmm... they are nice. I think you covered all the flower varieties there is."

He extended his arms, palms up, and waved helplessly. "You never told me which ones your favorites are... like this I'm sure I got the ones you like."

"Carnations", Sophia mumbled.

"What?" Felix perked up his ears.

Sophia cleared her throat. "Carnations and orchids are my favorite flowers."

"Note taken!", Felix exclaimed showing a big smile.

His lips framed two rows of perfect white teeth, and Sophia wondered how soft those lips are... she bit her lower lip. When she realized her thoughts, she shook her head and cleared her throat. "Where are we going?"

Felix noticed a change in her, her cheeks turned slightly pink. He raised his eyebrows wondering what is on her mind.

"For lunch, where are we going?", Sophia repeated her question, avoiding to look him in the eyes.

"Let me surprise today.", he responded mysteriously.

Sophia's eyes flashed with excitement. She nodded and stood up to get ready.

Felix's eyes were glued to Sophia. Her white shirt paired with a maroon pencil skirt hugged her body showing off her curves and hiding them at the same time. Sophia put on a jacket which matched her skirt. When she buttoned it up, it accentuated her full breasts and a slim waist which was previously hidden under a loosely tucked in shirt.

Felix held Sophia's coat for her as she put it on. Coat ended at the same height as her skirt, just above knees, displaying perfect calves and ankles.

Secretly, Felix hoped that her legs would ache after a day in those high heels, so that he could offer to give her a foot massage. Thinking about touching her feet, he breathed in sharply and swallowed hard making his Adam's apple bob.

"Are we going?", Sophia's voice pulled him out of his daze.

"Yes", he exhaled a breath he didn't even realized he is holding in.

They had lunch in the same French restaurant where they met with Sarah and Aiden.

As they were seated at the table, Felix explained. "Last time when we had lunch here, I don't think it went well... so I hope that we can fix that." He handed one menu from the table to her. "Let me know what you want and allow me to order."

Shortly after, waiter arrived, and Felix ordered food for both of them in French. That was his native language, and Sophia was enchanted listening to his deep voice. She spoke French, not as good as Sarah, but good enough to hold a simple conversation. As Felix talked with the waiter, Sophia got carried away by the sound of his voice and was not able to make up the words he spoke.

For business purposes, whenever Sophia attended a meeting with French speakers, she would get a translator. 'Next time I should ask him to join me as a translator.' Sophia remembered that she occasionally has business trips to France, and she wondered if he will be willing to join her for her next trip.