CHAPTER -2

Amidst the bustling excitement that filled the hall, with chatter about dresses, hairdos, and the upcoming event among the girls, and discussions about drinks and revelry among the boys, one figure remained strangely serene amidst the commotion.

Sohfi, nestled in a quiet corner of the hall, seemed to be in her world, peacefully asleep amidst the whirlwind of activity around her. Her slumber went unnoticed by most, but not by Mr. Orion Fortier.

With a keen eye, Mr. Fortier observed Sohfi's peaceful repose, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Amid all the hustle and bustle, her serene demeanor stood out, a calm amidst the storm.

Approaching her quietly, Mr. Fortier gently tapped Sohfi on the shoulder, (It was the first time Mr. Orion had directly addressed the staff which captured the attention of everyone present in the hall. Even Mr. Orion's assistant had no clue.) Sohfi, startled by the sudden awakening, rubbed her eyes sleepily. Sophie was taken aback by Mr. Orion's charm and the heavenly scent that emanated from him as he stood near her. She sensed a hint of frustration in his demeanor, likely stemming from her earlier nap. "Is everything alright, Miss? he inquired softly, his concern evident in his voice. "Yes, Mr. Fortier, everything's fine. Just a bit tired, I suppose," she replied, her voice soft and slightly dizzy.

"Come to my office with your manager," Mr. Orion instructed. "Okay," Sophie nodded nervously. Mr. Orion's harsh tone made Sophie nervous, and she feared for her job. Every floor of the hotel has a manager overseeing the staff working under them.

"I've always advised you to take it easy with your workload. It's not healthy to be juggling three jobs while attending college. I understand your situation, but Mr. Orion may not be as forgiving. Let's discuss this further in Mr. Orion's office," the manager said to Sophie as they approached Mr. Orion's office. Sophie simply nodded in response, her nerves still palpable as she contemplated what awaited her in Mr. Orion's office.

The manager knocked on Mr. Orion's office door and received permission to enter. Mr. Orion's office was as expansive as a presidential suite. Sophie had never been to Mr. Orion's office before; So she was amazed by the wonderful aroma wafting through the office. Her duties typically involved assisting guests with their luggage and other needs as most flights typically land there early in the morning.

"You stay here; I will go inside," the manager instructed, guiding Sophie to stand near the exit door. Mr. Orion glanced towards Sophie from his window and noticed her looking around, appearing somewhat unsure or curious.

"I want to know, does she have any standard of work or does she just collect her salary? She doesn't seem serious," Mr. Orion remarked, his tone tinged with annoyance. "No, she may seem unbothered, but she's one of the best on my team. She works with dedication. She's also a student and struggles with tiredness due to her vision problems," the manager explained, defending Sophie's performance and lying about Sophie's vision. "This is her last chance. If there's no improvement, she will be fired," Mr. Orion declared sternly. "And inform her that tomorrow evening, she will be attending the party not as a guest but as staff only. She needs to arrive at the avenue before 1:00 PM," Mr. Orion added firmly.

"Alright, Mr. Orion," the manager acknowledged, feeling sympathetic towards Sophie as he informed her about their conversation with Mr. Orion. "Thank you so much, sir, for standing up for me and covering for me with the owner. Please don't worry about tomorrow; I will make sure to be there on time. I promise you, this will be the last time you'll have to save me," Sophie expressed gratefully and determinedly.

But I didn't listen to the speech please provide me the address. Sophie asked for the address."Of course, Sophie," the manager replied sympathetically, understanding the situation.

Sophie could not help but ask the manager about his perplexed expression.

Sophie, it seems that Mr. Orion is going to be even stricter than Mr. Gabriel Fortier. You see, tomorrow's event is organized by Ms. Sasha Grey, the daughter of the richest and most powerful industrialist in this country and the world. While we are all invited as guests, you will be present there as staff, taking care of the arrangements.

It sounds like Mr. Orion may have seen Sophie's sleeping as disrespectful, hence the punishment. "No worries," Sophie replied nonchalantly, as if she didn't care about the party. "No way," Coral insisted, her determination evident. "You know I've already decided on your dress, hair, and makeup." Coral felt frustrated and disapproved of the decision to treat Sophie in such a manner. "No, I think he's a good person. He wants to celebrate the 50th anniversary with the staff, but he also wants to instill discipline," Sophie expressed, sharing her perspective. "Yes, he is handsome. You know, because of you, he was standing right beside me. And he smells like some expensive cologne," Coral admitted, her demeanor flustered.

Soon, they became immersed in their tasks, putting aside their conversation to focus on their work.

At 9:30, Coral called Sophie. "Hey, baby, today is your day. Shall we go for trekking? You can skip your college today. But I can't take a day off for straight 2 days. You know about tomorrow, and Mrs. Melinda needs me today as the materials will be reaching, and I'm the only one who knows how to maintain it. Okay, I will not force you. Are you going to college?" Coral confirmed.

"Yes, in half an hour, I will leave for college."

"Okay, I will see you there. Bye," Coral said before hanging up. Sophie must be quite remarkable to secure a spot at such a prestigious institution like The Mount College for Girls. It sounds like she's not only academically talented but also has the bravery and determination to pursue her goals even when faced with challenges. And to top it off, earning a scholarship there speaks volumes about her dedication and capability.

It's impressive that the college maintains high standards both academically and in terms of discipline. Creating an environment where students are focused on learning rather than superficial displays of status is crucial for fostering genuine intellectual growth and achievement. It seems like The Mount College for Girls truly prioritizes excellence in education above all else. Sophie must feel proud to be a part of such a distinguished academic community.

While in the classroom, Sophie received three missed calls and a message from her sister, Lauren, stating, "I need you at my college. It's urgent." Upon reading the message, Sophie immediately left her classes and headed towards Imperial College, which is situated uphill and is renowned as the most prestigious college in the town. Attending Imperial College is typically associated with students from affluent families due to its high fees. Lauren has inherited all the money their father left for both his daughters. However, according to Rebecca, the inheritance is intended solely for Lauren, as she is the biological daughter. Rebecca believes that Sophie, being adopted, should be grateful for being accepted into the family and given their surname, considering she might not be entitled to the same inheritance as Lauren. Sophie earns independently and spends her income on household and other expenses, viewing it as her duty towards the family.

Lauren patiently waited for Sophie at the entrance of the Sports Academy within the college."Sophie, did you just ignore my calls? Don't isolate yourself if you're unable to answer. Where were you?" Lauren's frustration was evident in her tone.

Lauren, having returned from abroad, exudes confidence in everything she does. As the most popular and beautiful girl in the college, she effortlessly captivates attention with her figure-hugging bodycon dresses, drawing admiration from both men and women alike.

"I was in class. My phone was in my bag! Okay, let it be," Sophie began to explain before being interrupted by Lauren, who continued, "I have to attend the party tomorrow. So, could you pick up my dress from Rachel along with the shoes I already ordered and paid for? Please be careful; they're expensive." Lauren's tone was distracted, her attention elsewhere as she multitasked on her phone. "Okay, you can go now."

Sophie couldn't help but feel disappointed by Lauren's lack of acknowledgment of her birthday. As she turned to leave, Lauren called out to her, "My dress is a bit heavy; please get a cab." Sophie managed a smile and headed out, but before she could leave, she noticed a familiar face. Sophie was taken aback to see Mr. Orion standing shirtless right in front of her. She couldn't help but feel shocked and hoped he wouldn't recognize her. Wondering why he was roaming around shirtless in the college, Sophie found herself lost in her thoughts.

As she glanced around, she realized they were standing on the basketball court. Her attention was drawn to the girls in revealing clothes watching Mr. Orion from the nearby windows. The scene felt surreal, and Sophie couldn't shake off her sense of discomfort and confusion. As she was about to leave, she heard Orion asking about her to Lauren. "Do you know her?" Orion inquired, to which Lauren responded with a fake smile, "Yes, she is just a household." Sophie couldn't help but feel hurt by Lauren's dismissive response, not acknowledging their sisterly bond. However, a part of her also felt relieved that she hadn't drawn the attention of Mr. Orion.

As Sophie headed back towards her second job as a florist, she caught sight of The Royal Place near the Imperial College. The massive walls covered with trees and doors hid the interior from view, but its grand presence sprawled across the downhill area, spanning two roads and covering a large expanse. Sophie couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about the place. She longed to tour the grounds and felt blessed to have the opportunity to work here. The allure of the grandeur within those walls sparked her imagination, igniting a desire to explore and experience the splendor firsthand.