Chapter 10: Romantic Reckoning
Sophie's hands trembled slightly as she stepped out of the hotel entrance, the soft red gown flowing around her in gentle waves. The city lights reflected off the fabric, making her feel like she had stepped into a dream. Her heart raced—not just from the excitement of the evening, but from the fact that Alexander had personally chosen the dress, had thought of her in such a tender way.
Alexander greeted her with a warm smile, his usual composed demeanor softened by genuine affection. "You look… stunning," he said, his voice low, almost reverent. He offered his arm, and she took it, leaning into him just slightly.
For a while, everything felt perfect. They walked through the quiet streets, talked about university, work, and even silly little anecdotes. Laughter came easily, a sound Sophie hadn't realized she had missed so much. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to feel truly happy.
But as they approached the upscale restaurant, a group of familiar faces appeared near the entrance. Sophie's stomach tightened instantly. Among them were some of Alexander's friends, young men and women dressed in designer outfits. Their eyes locked onto her, and one of them smirked knowingly.
"Well, well, isn't this the little waitress from the hotel?" one of the women sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "Fancy seeing you out here."
Sophie froze. The confident, glowing feeling she had moments ago crumbled. Her cheeks burned with humiliation as they whispered and laughed among themselves, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Alexander, stepping toward the restaurant, caught the comment and glanced in her direction—but just then, his phone buzzed. He answered quickly, excusing himself with a tight nod, leaving Sophie momentarily exposed.
Sophie's eyes filled with tears she refused to shed, her fingers clutching the folds of her gown. She tried to retreat politely, hoping to avoid confrontation, but the group blocked her path. "Do you always wear a uniform like that?" one of them jeered. "Or is this your attempt at… dressing up?"
Her mind raced. She wanted to defend herself, to run, to hide—but she felt powerless without Alexander's presence. Each laugh, each pointed remark, made her shrink inside herself, a painful reminder of how different her world was from theirs.
Somewhere inside, though, a small flame of defiance flickered. She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and met their gaze with as much dignity as she could muster. "I am exactly who I am," she said softly, her voice trembling only slightly. "And that's enough."
As she moved past them toward the restaurant, her heart still pounding, she wished Alexander hadn't been called away. But she also realized something important: she could stand on her own, even when the world tried to diminish her.
Tonight had started as a dream—and even with the shadow of humiliation, it had also become a quiet reminder of her own strength.