Age is just a Number

simplicity of his statement echoed in her thoughts, but it was the intensity behind it that unsettled her. Alexander

uch. All she knew was that her pulse was still racing, h

ughts of Alexander to the back of her mind. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, they crept in at the most unexpected moments-d

ad, haunting her with an uns

th such a look-a look that seemed to say more than what was spoken. There was an undercurrent between them t

self wondering-di

Sophia was lost in a sea of emails when the familiar sound of footsteps interrupted her focus. She looked up, star

ce betraying a hint of surprise

hings were going." His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, a certain le

ic, but productive." She pushed her chair back and stood. "Would you like a tour? We're getting ready

or her to finish the se

d the curation process. Sophia found herself slipping into her familiar role-passionate, informative, animate

vas. It was a striking abstract piece-swirling colors, bold, chaotic strokes. "I can't

It's meant to make you feel something. Whether it's love,

gaze sharp and thoughtful.

. "Art doesn't have to be beautiful to be valuable.

r with a curiosity that almost made her uncomfortab

ded. "I like th

avy, as if there were something more beneath the sur

at you said the other day,"

skipped a beat.

is voice low, almost intimate. "You're right.

She hadn't expected him to come back to that conver

hem. His presence was overwhelming-uncomfortably so, but also... undeniable. She could feel the

don't you, Ms. Rivera?"

llowed har

dark and unwavering. "Beca

eemed ready to articulate. Sophia felt her pulse quicken, a sudden awareness flooding h

'll let you get back to work," he said, his tone shifting back to its usual cool professionalism. "

tional or if she had simply read too much into their interaction. But one thing was

by," she said, her v

. "I'll be in touch soo

-leaving her standing there, he

as headed, but one thing was fo

work, but everything felt more charged now-like the air had shifted, and she was waiting for the

dio silence that she received

: Priva

Ri

e are a few things I'd like to discuss

aurant tomorrow evening at

xander

more intimate than anything she'd anticipated. But as she stared at the em

p breath and c