Tuesday evening arrived with a soft golden sunset spreading across the city.
For Sofia Mirano, the workday had finally ended after hours of meetings, emails, and preparing documents for Leo Rivera. The office had slowly emptied, leaving behind the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the faint glow of desk lamps.
She packed her bag carefully before standing up from her desk.
Just as she was about to leave, Leo's office door opened.
He stepped out, holding a folder.
"Sofia."
She turned.
"Yes, Mr. Rivera?"
"Before you leave."
She waited politely.
"The event is in two weeks," he said.
Sofia nodded.
"Yes."
"You'll need time to prepare."
Sofia smiled slightly.
"I think my friend has already started planning that."
Leo almost smiled.
"I assumed as much."
For a brief moment, his expression softened.
"Good night, Sofia."
"Good night, Mr. Rivera."
An hour later, Sofia pushed open the glass door of Lucy's Fashion.
The familiar bell above the door chimed softly.
Lucy immediately appeared from behind a rack of dresses.
"There you are!"
Sofia laughed.
"You sound like you've been waiting all day."
Lucy grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the boutique.
"Of course I've been waiting."
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Lucy stopped dramatically beside a large covered mannequin.
"Because."
She removed the cloth with a flourish.
Sofia gasped softly.
The dress beneath the fabric was breathtaking.
It was a deep midnight blue gown made of soft flowing fabric that shimmered gently under the lights. The neckline was elegant but simple, while delicate silver threads curved across the bodice like tiny streaks of starlight.
Sofia stared at it.
"Lucy…"
Lucy folded her arms proudly.
"I designed it for you."
Sofia slowly walked closer to the dress.
"It's beautiful."
Lucy smiled widely.
"You're wearing it to the party."
Sofia hesitated.
"Lucy… this must have taken so much time."
Lucy shrugged.
"You're my best friend."
Sofia touched the fabric gently.
"And besides," Lucy added with a mischievous grin, "I want your CEO to faint."
Sofia laughed loudly.
"He will not faint."
Lucy tilted her head.
"We'll see."
A few minutes later, Sofia stood inside the fitting room.
Lucy waited impatiently outside.
"Hurry up!"
"I'm trying!"
The zipper slid up smoothly, and Sofia turned slowly toward the mirror.
For a moment, she didn't recognize herself.
The dress fit perfectly.
The blue fabric flowed around her like liquid silk, and the silver details along the neckline made the entire design glow softly.
Sofia stepped out of the fitting room.
Lucy's eyes widened.
"Oh wow."
Sofia looked down nervously.
"Is it too much?"
Lucy shook her head immediately.
"No."
She walked around Sofia slowly, studying every detail.
"It's perfect."
Sofia turned slightly in front of the mirror.
"It feels different."
Lucy smiled knowingly.
"That's because it's not your office clothes."
Sofia laughed softly.
"You're right."
Lucy stepped closer and adjusted a small fold in the fabric.
"When Leo Rivera sees you in this dress…"
Sofia groaned.
"Lucy."
"I'm serious."
Sofia smiled shyly.
"He probably won't even notice."
Lucy stared at her.
"You cannot be serious."
Meanwhile, across the city, Leo Rivera was finishing a late meeting with a group of investors.
The restaurant was elegant and quiet, with soft music playing in the background.
Leo listened calmly as one of the men finished explaining the proposal.
"We'll send the final documents tomorrow."
Leo nodded.
"Good."
The meeting ended shortly after.
As Leo stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted him.
He loosened his tie slightly before walking toward his car.
But just as he reached the corner of the street…
Something caught his attention.
Across the road stood a boutique with large glass windows.
Inside, bright lights illuminated rows of dresses.
And near the back of the shop…
Leo froze.
Sofia.
She stood in front of a mirror wearing a deep blue gown.
Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and the dress shimmered softly every time she moved.
For a moment, Leo couldn't look away.
Lucy stood beside her, adjusting the fabric and talking excitedly.
But Leo didn't hear anything.
All he could see was Sofia.
She looked nothing like the composed secretary sitting behind a desk at Rivera Group.
She looked radiant.
Elegant.
Beautiful in a way that made his chest tighten unexpectedly.
Inside the shop, Sofia suddenly glanced toward the window.
Her eyes widened.
Leo Rivera stood outside.
Their gazes met.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Lucy noticed Sofia's expression and turned toward the window.
Then she grinned widely.
"Oh."
Sofia whispered quietly,
"Lucy…"
Lucy leaned closer to the glass, clearly amused.
"Well," she said cheerfully, "looks like your CEO noticed."
Outside, Leo quickly regained his composure.
He stepped into the boutique.
The bell above the door chimed softly.
Sofia stood frozen near the mirror.
"Mr. Rivera."
Leo nodded politely.
"Sofia."
Lucy stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Well this is convenient."
Leo glanced at the dress again before meeting Sofia's eyes.
"You're preparing for the event."
Sofia nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Lucy folded her arms proudly.
"I designed the dress."
Leo looked at it carefully.
"You're very talented."
Lucy grinned.
"I know."
Sofia tried not to laugh.
Leo's gaze returned to her again.
For a moment, the room felt strangely quiet.
"That dress suits you," he said calmly.
Sofia felt warmth rise in her cheeks.
"Thank you."
Lucy watched the two of them carefully.
And the smile on her face grew even wider.
Because the way Leo Rivera was looking at Sofia Mirano right now…
Was definitely not the way a CEO looked at his secretary.