Sophie sat on her couch, staring at the empty space Alex had occupied not long ago.
The air still carried traces of his cologne, and the warmth of his presence lingered in the room. Yet, he was gone, and suddenly, she felt alone.
A sigh escaped her lips as she pulled her knees to her chest. What the hell is wrong with me? She had never been the clingy type, but here she was, missing Alex barely an hour after he left.
Shaking off the unsettling feeling, she remembered that Benita had promised to come over. Maybe some girl time would help clear her mind. She grabbed her phone and dialed Benita’s number.
No response.
She frowned and tried again. Still nothing.
Maybe she’s busy.
Her thoughts shifted back to Alex. He had mentioned going home to finish last night’s paperwork. A quick check-in wouldn’t hurt, right?
She hesitated for a moment before pressing his contact and calling him.
The phone rang.
Once… twice… three times.
No answer.
She was about to hang up when the call finally connected.
"Alex?" she said, relieved.
"I’ll call you back." His voice was rushed, almost distracted.
Sophie’s brows knitted together. In the background, she could hear noises—voices, chatter, something that sounded like a door opening and closing.
"Where are you?" she asked instinctively.
But the line had already gone dead.
Sophie pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at the screen in confusion. That was weird.
Before she could dwell on it, her phone rang again. Her heart leaped, thinking it was Alex.
But it wasn’t.
It was Benita.
She picked up. "Benita, where the hell have you been? I just tried calling you."
Benita didn’t acknowledge her question. Instead, she shrieked so loudly that Sophie had to pull the phone away from her ear.
"OH MY GOD, SOPHIE! HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS?"
Sophie blinked. "What?"
"Did you see Alex today?" Benita demanded.
Sophie’s brows furrowed. "Uh, yeah?"
Benita gasped. "Wait… you actually saw him?"
Sophie was starting to get irritated. "Benita, what the hell is going on?"
"You’re telling me that Alex Donald was at your apartment today?"
Sophie rubbed her temple. "Yes, he just left like an hour ago. Why are you acting like a lunatic?"
Benita screamed. "OH. MY. GOD. I’M ON MY WAY!"
Sophie’s confusion deepened. "Wait—Benita—what’s this about?"
Benita was already cutting the call.
Sophie groaned and called her back.
"Benita, what is going on?"
Benita let out an excited giggle. "Turn on the TV. The news. Right now!"
Sophie’s stomach twisted. "Why? What happened? Did something happen to Alex?"
"Just do it!"
Benita hung up.
Sophie froze.
Something about Benita’s tone made her feel uneasy. Her hands trembled slightly as she grabbed the remote and turned on the television.
Her heart pounded as she flipped through the news channels.
Nothing.
Channel after channel—nothing about Alex.
She exhaled, feeling a bit foolish for panicking.
Maybe Benita was exaggerating.
Still, something felt off. She tried calling Alex again.
No answer.
A pit formed in her stomach as she paced the living room, her mind racing with possibilities.
Where was he? Why did he sound so distracted earlier? Why wasn’t he answering now?
Her nerves were on edge when, suddenly, the doorbell rang.
She ran to the door, yanking it open.
Benita stood there, a wide grin on her face.
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Sophie demanded.
Benita pushed past her into the apartment.
Sophie shut the door and turned to face her. "Benita, talk!"
Benita’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "You seriously didn’t see it?"
"See what?!"
Benita clapped her hands together. "Alex. Was. Seen. At. A. Jewelry. Store."
Sophie blinked. "So?"
Benita grinned. "Buying. An. Engagement. Ring."
The words hit Sophie like a brick to the face.
Her mouth fell open.
Her breath hitched.
Her heart… stopped.
Benita squealed. "I KNOW! Can you believe it?!"
Alex Donald. Buying an engagement ring.
It didn’t make sense.
Her stomach twisted as she finally found her voice. "What?!”