The next morning arrived quietly, the city still stretching itself awake as Sofia Mirano stepped out of the taxi in front of Rivera Group.
The cool air brushed against her face, and for a moment she stood there, looking up at the tall glass building that now felt strangely familiar.
Just four days ago, she had walked through those doors terrified of making a mistake.
Now... she felt something different.
Determination.
Her phone buzzed just as she entered the lobby.
Lucy.
Of course.
Lucy:
"Morning. Tell me something exciting happened yesterday."
Sofia smiled while waiting for the elevator.
Sofia:
"Define exciting."
Lucy replied immediately.
Lucy:
"Did the mysterious CEO finally smile?"
Sofia hesitated for a second before typing.
Sofia:
"Almost."
Three dots appeared instantly.
Lucy:
"ALMOST?! Sofia Mirano, that's progress."
Sofia laughed softly as the elevator doors opened.
Sofia:
"It wasn't a big deal."
Lucy:
"Everything is a big deal when a cold CEO almost smiles."
Sofia shook her head, slipping her phone into her bag.
Lucy would never let this go.
The twelfth floor was already busy when she arrived.
Sofia walked to her desk and began organizing the day's schedule. She had just finished printing Leo's morning reports when she noticed something unusual.
Leo's office door was open.
Normally it was closed while he worked.
She gently knocked on the frame.
"Good morning, Mr. Rivera."
Leo looked up from his laptop.
His dark eyes landed on her, sharp and observant as always.
"Good morning, Miss Mirano."
She stepped inside and placed his coffee on the desk.
Black.
No sugar.
No cream.
Exactly how he liked it.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Leo studied her briefly before reaching for the coffee.
"You arrive early," he said.
Sofia nodded.
"I prefer to prepare the schedule before things get busy."
Leo took a small sip of the coffee.
Perfect temperature.
Perfect timing.
He placed the cup down and looked at her again.
"Efficient."
It wasn't exactly praise, but it was close enough.
"Thank you, sir," Sofia said politely.
She turned to leave, but Leo spoke again.
"Miss Mirano."
She paused.
"Yes?"
"Cancel my lunch meeting."
Sofia blinked slightly.
"The one with the marketing director?"
"Yes."
"Should I reschedule it?"
"No."
He picked up another file.
"I'll handle lunch here."
Sofia nodded.
"Understood."
But as she walked back to her desk, she wondered why he had suddenly canceled it.
The morning moved smoothly.
Calls.
Emails.
Reports.
Sofia managed everything carefully, making sure Leo's schedule ran perfectly.
Around noon, she finally leaned back in her chair for a short break.
Her phone buzzed again.
Lucy.
Lucy:
"Lunch break yet?"
Sofia:
"Almost."
Lucy:
"Good. Because we're getting dinner tonight."
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
Sofia:
"We are?"
Lucy:
"Yes. You need to tell me everything about Mr. Almost-Smiles."
Sofia sighed dramatically.
Sofia:
"Lucy..."
Lucy:
"No excuses. 7 PM. Sushi."
Sofia smiled.
Sofia:
"Fine."
She locked her phone and returned to work.
About fifteen minutes later, Leo stepped out of his office.
His presence immediately changed the atmosphere of the floor.
Employees straightened.
Conversations quieted.
He walked toward Sofia's desk.
"Miss Mirano."
She looked up.
"Yes, sir?"
"Have you eaten lunch?"
The question caught her off guard.
"Not yet."
Leo glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was already 12:45.
"You should."
Sofia blinked.
"I will soon."
Leo studied her for a moment before speaking again.
"Bring your files."
She frowned slightly.
"Sir?"
He gestured toward his office.
"You can review the reports while we eat."
For a second Sofia thought she had misunderstood.
We eat?
But Leo had already turned and walked back inside.
Sofia sat frozen for a moment.
Then quickly grabbed the files and followed him.
Inside the office, Leo had already placed two takeaway boxes on the table near the window.
Sofia stopped.
"You ordered lunch?"
"Yes."
"For... both of us?"
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"You'll need energy if you plan to keep up with my schedule."
Sofia couldn't help smiling slightly.
"Thank you."
They sat across from each other at the small table.
The city stretched below them through the glass window.
For the first time since she started working there...
The office felt almost relaxed.
Almost.
Leo opened one of the containers and began eating.
Sofia followed, still slightly surprised.
For several minutes they ate quietly.
Then Leo spoke.
"You handled the investor situation well yesterday."
Sofia looked up.
"I just found the file."
"You did more than that."
His voice was calm.
"You stayed calm under pressure."
Sofia felt warmth rise in her chest.
"That's part of the job."
Leo studied her again.
"You take your work seriously."
"Yes."
"Why?"
The question caught her off guard.
She thought for a moment before answering.
"Because opportunities like this matter."
Leo leaned back slightly.
"And working here is important to you?"
"Yes."
Her voice was sincere.
"I want to build a real career."
For the first time, Leo looked... thoughtful.
Not just observing.
Listening.
After a moment he nodded slowly.
"Good."
Sofia smiled faintly.
Later that evening, Sofia finally met Lucy at their favorite sushi restaurant.
Lucy was already waiting at the table, waving dramatically when Sofia arrived.
"Finally!" Lucy said. "Tell me everything."
Sofia laughed as she sat down.
"There's not much to tell."
Lucy narrowed her eyes.
"Try again."
Sofia hesitated.
Then she admitted quietly:
"He asked me to have lunch with him today."
Lucy froze.
Then slowly leaned forward.
"The CEO invited you to lunch?"
"Well... technically he ordered it."
Lucy stared at her.
"Oh this is getting interesting."
Sofia groaned.
"Lucy..."
Lucy grinned mischievously.
"Sofia Mirano... your boss is starting to notice you."
Sofia didn't answer.
But deep down...
She had begun to notice him too.