Wednesday morning began like any other at Rivera Group.
The office floor buzzed with quiet activity as employees moved between desks, carrying reports, answering emails, and preparing for the day's meetings.
Sofia Mirano arrived a little earlier than usual.
The evening before had stayed in her mind longer than she expected. Not in a dramatic way, but in those quiet, lingering thoughts that returned every time she looked at the jacket hanging neatly in her closet.
She had folded it carefully before bed.
And now it rested inside her bag.
Because today, she would return it.
Sofia reached her desk and placed the bag down gently before organizing the morning schedule.
Leo Rivera was already in his office.
She could see the light through the glass panels of the door.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Leo stepped out, adjusting the sleeve of his dark suit jacket.
His eyes moved automatically toward Sofia.
"Good morning, Sofia."
The name came easily now.
Sofia stood politely.
"Good morning, Mr. Rivera."
She picked up the coffee she had prepared and walked into the office.
Black.
No sugar.
No cream.
Leo accepted the cup with a small nod before sitting down behind his desk.
As Sofia placed the day's schedule beside him, she reached into her bag.
"I believe this belongs to you."
She carefully placed his jacket on the chair beside his desk.
Leo looked at it briefly before glancing back at her.
"You didn't have to bring it so early."
Sofia smiled slightly.
"I didn't want to forget."
Leo nodded once.
"Thank you."
She turned to leave the office, but just as she reached the door—
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
Lucy.
Sofia hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
Lucy sounded unusually cheerful.
"Good morning."
Sofia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Why do you sound suspicious?"
Lucy laughed.
"Because I'm downstairs."
Sofia blinked.
"You're where?"
"In the lobby."
Sofia nearly dropped the phone.
"Lucy, you can't just show up at my workplace."
Lucy sounded completely unconcerned.
"Relax. I brought you something."
"What did you bring?"
"A dress."
Sofia sighed.
"Lucy…"
"It's for you."
Sofia pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Fine. Wait there."
Ten minutes later, Sofia stepped into the building lobby.
Lucy immediately waved when she saw her.
She stood beside a large shopping bag, smiling proudly.
"Surprise!"
Sofia crossed her arms.
"You're unbelievable."
Lucy laughed and handed her the bag.
"I made a new design, and I wanted your opinion."
Sofia peeked inside.
Another beautiful dress.
Soft lavender fabric with delicate stitching along the waist.
"Lucy, this is gorgeous."
"I know," Lucy said proudly.
"Now you need to try it later."
Sofia laughed quietly.
"I will."
Lucy glanced around the elegant lobby.
"So this is where you work."
"Yes."
Lucy's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Where is the famous CEO?"
Sofia immediately shook her head.
"You are not meeting my boss."
Lucy grinned.
"Too late."
Before Sofia could react, a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Sofia."
She froze.
Slowly turning around…
There stood Leo Rivera.
Tall.
Composed.
Watching the two women with quiet curiosity.
Sofia cleared her throat.
"Mr. Rivera."
Lucy's eyes widened slightly before she quickly recovered and stepped forward politely.
Sofia closed her eyes briefly.
Lucy extended her hand.
Leo looked at her for a moment before shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you again."
Lucy smiled warmly.
"Sofia talks about her work a lot."
Sofia nearly choked.
Lucy continued casually,
"She seems to enjoy working here."
Leo glanced briefly toward Sofia.
"She does her job very well."
Lucy nodded approvingly.
"I can see that."
Sofia could already feel her face warming slightly.
Lucy looked between the two of them.
"Well, I should let you get back to work."
She turned to Sofia.
"Call me later."
Then Lucy walked toward the exit, leaving Sofia standing awkwardly beside Leo.
For a moment, the lobby felt unusually quiet.
Leo finally spoke.
"Your friend seems… energetic."
Sofia laughed softly.
"That's one way to describe her."
Leo's expression softened slightly.
"She cares about you."
"Yes," Sofia said.
"She always has."
Leo nodded once.
Then he glanced at the shopping bag Sofia was holding.
"A dress?"
Sofia looked down.
"Lucy designs them."
Leo remembered the boutique from the weekend.
"She's talented."
Sofia smiled proudly.
"She really is."
For a moment, Leo simply observed her.
And he noticed something interesting.
Sofia seemed lighter when Lucy was around.
More relaxed.
More expressive.
He found himself liking that version of her.
Leo gestured toward the elevators.
"We should go back upstairs."
Sofia nodded.
They stepped into the elevator together.
As the doors closed, Leo spoke quietly.
"You smile more when she's around."
Sofia blinked slightly.
"Lucy?"
"Yes."
Sofia laughed softly.
"She has that effect on people."
Leo looked at her thoughtfully.
"I can see that."
The elevator reached their floor.
As the doors opened, Sofia stepped out beside him.
And though neither of them said it aloud…
Something about the morning had felt unexpectedly personal.
Because Lucy Hemming had just walked into Sofia's workplace—
And somehow managed to leave Leo Rivera thinking about Sofia even more than before.