CHAPTER-3

"Do you know her?" Lauren asked Orion, who kept his gaze fixed on the departing figure of Sophie. "She works in my hotel. She was sleeping during my speech this morning," Orion explained, dressed in his sports t-shirt. "You know, I prepared that speech with dedication, but somehow she was the only one who didn't listen to anything I said," Orion expressed with a hint of frustration. "How can he be affected by that good-for-nothing person?" Lauren thought, feeling a surge of jealousy towards Sophie. "First of all, I never knew Sophie worked in your hotel. But as a good friend, I want to tell you she is very careless and a jealous soul. We kept her only because my father likes her and was sympathetic towards her family, and you know my mommy cares about everything regarding my father, and as a result, she is still there. My good advice to you is, that you are Mr. Orion Fortier, the richest king of this city. It doesn't suit you to even care about her opinions, as she is nobody to you," Lauren advised, emphasizing her perspective on Sophie's character."Of course, I know, but it's just that she crosses my path twice a day," Orion acknowledged, understanding Lauren's concern. Let it be, are you ready for tomorrow's party?" Orion asked Lauren, pushing her towards him, his touch on Lauren's waist carrying a flirtatious undertone. "Yes, but I didn't say yes to your proposal, so you don't have any rights over me," Lauren retorted, playfully pushing him back with a smile. "I am captivated by these very charms of yours," Orion murmured into her ear as he pulled her towards him once again. Lauren blushed and glanced around, ensuring that everyone witnessed these moments between her and Mr. Orion.

Soon, Lauren left the place with her best friend Grace. "Why did you tell Orion that Sophie is your household?" Grace asked, puzzled by Lauren's statement. "What's wrong with this situation? She's not my sister; she's just an orphan Dad adopted and brought home without even asking for my mother's permission." Lauren's frustration simmered as she spoke."She can only use my father's name but lacks the class to stand beside me. How can I possibly consider her my sister? She should be grateful we even kept her after my dad's death." Lauren's disgust at the notion of Sophie being her sister was evident. "Why did you come so quickly?" Melinda asked Sophie as she was handing out purchase orders with flowers.

"I had to leave college early, and I thought, why go back when I could come here instead," Sophie replied with a smile and a hint of hesitation. "Surely, your foolish sister must have given you some task. I've grown tired of explaining to you again and again. Sometimes, you should just refuse," Melinda said with a hint of certainty. "Anyway, never mind. Tell me what you want to say," Melinda said as if she knew Sophie wanted to ask her something but was hesitating. "How did you know that I wanted to ask something?" Sophie gasped, surprised that Melinda could sense her intention. "You were so little when you came to me, and now you've grown so much," Melinda said, gesturing with her hand. "I know you even better than you know yourself," she added with a smile. Ok, "I won't be able to come tomorrow, but don't worry, I'll finish all the work today for sure," Sophie said in one breath, then took a deep breath. "If your sister has any work, I won't give it to you at all," Melinda firmly refused. Sophie recounted the entire incident that happened at the hotel in the morning, but Melinda couldn't bring herself to say anything in response. "However, all the work should be finished by today". From Melinda's expression, it was evident that she was visibly annoyed, but she told Sophie that all the work should be finished by the end of the day. Sophie smiled with relief and kissed Melinda's hand as a gesture of gratitude. And listen, once you finish that extra task for me, come inside to my room," Melinda ordered Sophie. Sophie nodded in response, tilting her head slightly.

"In today's times, how did she turn out to be like this? Having such a pure and kind heart is almost a rarity nowadays. She's like an open book; anyone could take advantage of her innocence," Melinda thought with concern for Sophie.

Sophie worked as a helper there. She assisted in a small shop run by an elderly lady named Melinda. Since childhood, Sophie had been working here, and when she arrived in the city, it was Melinda who not only provided her with work but also ensured she had two square meals a day. Melinda pays Sophie a modest wage, but she cares for Sophie like a grandmother. She arranges her meals and sometimes even stays back with her when Sophie has to work late. After the evening ended, Sophie went to Melinda's office and found a note and a wrapped box waiting for her. The note read, "Happy Birthday, Sophie. Did you think I forgot your birthday? I might forget anything else, but I could never forget you. How could I? Anyone who spends time with you can never forget you either. You're truly amazing. Now listen, I want you to wear this dress tomorrow for the party. It's a bit over the top according to your taste, but it will look great on you." The note ended with an emoji of lips and a kiss.

After putting in so much effort, Sophie was thrilled with the surprise. She felt like today was truly her day. However, when she opened the dress and found it to be backless with a deep neckline, she was taken aback, wondering how she would manage this. Sophie thought to herself with a cute, confused expression on her face.

The dress was a floral satin bodycon with a cowl neck and a completely backless design, adorned with beautiful cream-colored and coffee-colored flowers. Its vintage style exuded elegance, complementing only a toned waist. Sophie never stepped foot in a gym, yet her daily physical activities ensured her body remained toned and fit. It seemed that whatever she chose to wear, it effortlessly accentuated her natural beauty and charm.

Sophie glanced at the clock and carefully placed the dress back into the box before serving herself dinner. Sophie shared lunch and dinner with Melinda because her third job often kept her out late, leaving her too exhausted to cook when she got home. To avoid inconveniencing anyone, she preferred to simply eat with Melinda and then head straight to bed. After her meal, Sophie hopped on her bicycle and pedaled towards Rachel Showroom, the designer hall known for hosting the most prestigious designers in the country. This wasn't her first visit; she found herself here once again, solely because of Lauren.

As her third job, Sophie provided private tuition to the children of a wealthy family residing in Saint Colony, which neighbored the Rachel Showroom. Saint Colony was renowned as the enclave of the city's affluent upper-class society, where only wealthy businessmen or retired politicians made their homes.

According to Sophie, this job is the easiest and most well-paid because the three siblings are intelligent and excel in their studies. She earns significantly in just three hours. The only problem is that this route is twice as far from her florist job. So basically, all her work is uphill, but her home is downhill.

Seeing the people there, Sophie felt a bit out of place. However, without dwelling too much on it, she headed straight to the reception area.

"Hello, I have the dress to pick up in the name of Miss Lauren," Sophie said to the receptionist. The receptionist looked Sophie up and down before replying firmly, "I can't give you the dress with just that information. Please show me the bill." Her tone was rude, yet resolute. After this, Sophie realized her mistake of forgetting to ask Lauren for the bill. "It is only because of Mr. Orion," Sophie thought to herself, filled with regret. "Why am I so absent-minded?" Sophie muttered to herself in frustration as she dialed Lauren's number anxiously.

Lauren picked up the call immediately, which surprised Sophie. "Did you pick up my dress safely?" Lauren got straight to the point without any formality.

Sophie hesitated for a moment before replying, "No, actually, I forgot to take the bill from you, and they won't give me the dress without it. Can you just send me a picture?"

Before Sophie could say anything else, the receptionist intervened, informing them that only physical paper forms would be allowed, and no pictures were allowed. This made Sophie angry.

Somehow, Lauren sensed Sophie's frustration and realized that arguing with the receptionist would only create more problems, especially considering the dress was an expensive gift from Mr. Orion. She didn't want Sophie to handle the situation on her own, knowing it could lead to further complications.

"Sophie, I'll call you back in a little while. Until then, please don't say anything," Lauren said before hanging up, knowing that Sophie would follow her instructions.

After the call, Sophie hung up and stepped outside to take a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. "Hey, forgive me if I'm disturbing you," Lauren said apologetically over the phone to Orion.

Orion's response came in the flirtiest manner possible, "I want this disturbance for a lifetime."

"I think the bill for the dress we picked for the party is in your jacket I wore earlier today for a short time. "And you remember, I gave that dress for my fitting, but now I can't pick it up because its bill is in your jacket," Lauren added, hoping Orion could assist in resolving the situation.

"Okay, you always rescue me. Give that dress to Sophie; she is already there to pick it up," Lauren said gratefully. "Sophie who? Aren't you there?" Orion's expression fell as he thought he would be spending time with Lauren.