ONE NIGHT WITH THE DON

Sophie was sitting at her desk with her fingers poised above the keyboard. She was deep in contemplation. Noon approached, and a blend of melancholy and tension stirred within her. This day marked the fortnight since life took an abrupt turn.

Three years ago, she had met Dre through mutual friends. His charisma had captivated her instantly, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. With his easy smile and mischievous glint in his eyes, Dre had won her heart from the very beginning.

She had believed that their relationship bloomed fast, leading her to anticipate a positive outcome.

Late night talks, dining together, secret kisses - each memory deeply engraved in Sophie's mind, akin to the poetic words of a smitten writer. She found herself entranced by the flood of feelings, convinced that Dre reciprocated her emotions.

But two weeks ago, Sophie's world had shattered.

Sophie's phone displayed a missed call. It should have been a normal occurrence to see Dre's name on her phone screen, but the urgency in his voice when he finally answered made her shiver.

"I need to talk to you," Dre had said, his words laced with hesitation.

Sophie hurried over, her heart racing with worry. She discovered Dre in their apartment, pacing back and forth in the living room like a trapped animal. Tension hung thick in the air between them. Dre's admission hit Sophie like a blow to the stomach.

"I'm sorry, Sophie. I've been seeing someone else.

Sophie's mind was spinning, struggling to make sense of this. Her fingers dug into the sofa, turning white.

Sophie's voice broke, "I... I thought we were..." Pain tightened in her chest, constricting her breath with each word she uttered.

Dre's eyes flickered with guilt. "Sophie," he hesitated, "I care deeply for you, but I can't ignore my emotions any longer."

“Emotions?" Sophie had had enough. Numbness spread through her as she packed a bag and left without looking back.

Sophie sat at her desk trying to make sense of all the complicated thoughts swirling around in her mind. How could she have misunderstood Dre's intentions so badly? Had she imagined everything or had Dre intended to mislead her?

Sophie's eyes landed on a framed picture of the pair, grinning at a summer picnic. The sight tugged at her heart, causing a sharp pang. She couldn't help but wonder: Where had she gone astray? How might she have acted differently to ensure Dre stayed with her?

Amidst the lively office atmosphere, her inner turmoil remained unnoticed. She steeled herself, concealing her emotions behind a mask of professionalism, determined to navigate the chaos with composure.