C6 The Inside Out

Sophia's heels clicked quietly on the marble floor as she entered Lucas's large office.

She always felt both intimidated and intrigued by the room's minimalist design, which included sleek black furnishings and a broad view of the city.

Lucas sat at his desk, staring intently at a document he was holding. As she walked in, he looked up, a tiny, almost noticeable smile curling his lips. After putting the paper down, he remarked, "You're early."

With a shrug, Sophia pressed her sketchpad to her chest. "Before the presentation, I wanted to look over a few of the designs."

Lucas studied her, leaning back in his chair. It's something I like about you. Always thorough and well-prepared.”

His comments gave her a brief feeling of warmth, which she immediately brushed away.

Lucas had a way of making praises seem like covert evaluations as if he were listing all of her strengths and weaknesses.

As they talked about the sketches, Sophia couldn't help but observe how Lucas's attitude changed when Daniel, his assistant, came in.

Daniel was a wiry man in his mid-thirties who exuded nervous energy and had a brow that was always wrinkled.

With rapid and accurate movements, he set a file on Lucas's desk and took a step back.

"Is that the marketing report?" Without raising his gaze, Lucas inquired.

Daniel said in a strained voice, "Yes, sir." Lucas glanced at the paperwork and his face clouded a little.

“This isn't comprehensive. Daniel, I requested the complete predictions.”

Daniel stammered, his hands fluttering at his sides, "I—I'll get the rest immediately."

Sophia observed the exchange with modest interest. Daniel seemed a little strange, a little uneasy, almost afraid.

She looked at Lucas, who had his mouth set in a harsh line as he rushed out of the room.

"Is everything all right?" She took a risk.

Lucas glanced at her, and his face softened. "There is nothing to be concerned about. Let us concentrate on the project.”

Although Sophia conceded, she had a nagging suspicion that something more was happening.

But it wasn't her business. Changing the topic to something that was her business, she asked, “About your private art collection, most of them seem to depict a certain message. Especially the ones in the private section. Is it intentional?”

The interest in Lucas's eyes at her question is unmistakable. He reclined in his chair and posed his question Instead of answering hers. “What did you see when you looked at them?”

Sophia squinted her eyes in recollection. The canvas was dominated by strong black and crimson brushstrokes with white splatters. It was disorderly, bordering on aggressive, yet oddly lovely.

She replied, "It's... conflicted. There's anger, but there's also a touch of calm and….optimism. It seems like a conflict.”

Lucas nodded, his face contemplative. "And how does it affect your emotions?"

Sophia paused. "Uncomfortable. As if there were an unsolved issue.”

It was the first time Lucas's mask came off in front of her. A shadow of vulnerability passed across his features as his eyes softened. He muttered, "That's exactly how I feel every day."

She was caught off guard by the admission. "What do you mean?"

Lucas's eyes were sharp as he turned to look at her. "Those pictures symbolize chaos. Conflict. It serves as a reminder that nothing is ever really settled in life.”

Sophia's breath caught. Lucas was showing a side of himself, a peek into the storm that raged behind his icy demeanor, despite his stoicism.

With a voice almost inaudible, she remarked, "I didn't expect you to be so... introspective."

Although it didn't reach his eyes, he grinned. "You don't know a lot of things about me."

Before she could stop herself, she blurted, "I'd like to."

Lucas stared at her for a while, his face expressionless as he stated, "Maybe someday."

Sophia's lips formed a line as she stood up, avoiding Lucas's eyes out of embarrassment. Although, not explicitly, she just her a fragment of her feelings, which were supposed to be hidden, out. In front of him.

“I guess I'll see you another time,” she stated and stood up as quickly as she could, making to head out without waiting for a reply.

But just as she got to the door, she heard him say, “Hey,” in a soft voice.

Unsure of whether he was actually referring to her, she turned, her brows creasing.

“I'd like to know a lot of things about you, too,” Lucas said, deliberately drawing out the words slowly for them to have the most effect.

It did, for he caught the deep blush forming on her pale cheeks before Sophia looked away and made for the door knob.

With her sketchpad in hand, Sophia walked along Hawke Enterprises' hallways. The complex's glass-walled offices and streamlined hallways were evidence of Lucas's preference for transparency and control.

She noticed Daniel conversing with another employee as she turned a corner. Even though they were speaking quietly, Sophia could pick out brief bursts of rushed words. "...can't keep up... pressure is getting worse..." "You don't want to clash with Lucas."

Sophia walked more slowly, feigning to concentrate on a drawing on her sketchpad as she went by.

Daniel's cheeks turned pale as he abruptly halted the conversation as his eyes flitted to her.

"Hi Ms. Lynns," he said, smiling artificially. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

She matched his smile with her own and said, "No, just... exploring."

She could feel his eyes pressing down on her back as she turned to leave.

Lucas asked her to dinner at a private restaurant on top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city that evening. She was surprised but the idea wasn't bad at all.

How many times did one get invited to dinner by their love interest? And this love interest would probably be just that till the end of time. They are worlds apart. So, of course, she should enjoy the fun of having him around while she still can.

As expected, the setting was beautiful. As they sat opposite from one another, Lucas remarked, "I felt we deserved a break. You’ve been working tirelessly on this project.”

Despite her caution, Sophia was unable to deny the evening's charm.

Lucas paid close attention as he inquired about her goals, challenges, and sources of motivation. The way he appeared to be genuinely interested in her was beguiling.

But occasionally, as if he were holding back, his eyes would flicker with something unreadable. These moments were quick but clear.

After a moment, she asked, "Lucas, what's so important to you about this project? You had the option to employ any artist, but you chose me. Why?”

With his eyes fixed on hers, he sipped his wine. "I meant what I said when you asked this same question the other day, Sophia. It's because you are exceptional. Your work has a depth and feeling that I’ve never seen before. As soon as I saw your portfolio, I realized that you were the only one capable of making this vision a reality.”

Although his remarks were pleasant, she felt uneasy because of the intensity in his voice. The way he looked at her as he spoke made her heart flutter.

Or was she imagining things?

Lucas insisted on taking her home as they were leaving the restaurant. The emotional tension from before was still present in the silent trip.

He escorted her to the door of her apartment building, even though he didn't have to. His voice was low as he whispered, "Goodnight, Sophia."

"Goodnight," she said, her heart pounding a bit more quickly than she wanted to acknowledge.

She saw him leave, his towering frame fading into the darkness.

************************************************

Sophia was keen to finish some sketches before noon the following day, so she came to work early.

As she made her way to the studio provided for her, she heard heated voices coming from Lucas’s office.

She stepped closer, her footsteps silent on the carpeted floor, curiosity winning out. "Daniel, I told you to handle it!" Lucas's tone was piercing, bordering on irate.

He continued, “It's difficult, but I'm trying. She's beginning to inquire—She can't know now. Do you understand me? If she discovers— “

Her curiosity piqued, and Sophia's heart began to rush. She leaned herself against the wall, hoping to hear more.

"Excuses are not what I want," Lucas yelled. "Fix it, or I'll do it, and you won't like how. "

She was startled into action by the sound of footsteps coming near the door.

With her heart thumping in her ears, she hurriedly ducked into a nearby alcove.

Sophia's mind was filled with questions as Daniel passed by, his face drawn and pallid. What did they have to hide? From whom? And why did it feel like she was in the middle of something far bigger than she’d realized?

Or was she just being paranoid? No, this is real and she needed to know what was going on.