A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 69: SOFIA

Chapter 69: SOFIA

SOFIA

"Ken, get us cups of smoothies" Anna called to her assistant.

That was another change I hadn’t expected, when I had been interning, she didn’t even have an assistant.

And now, with her short straight dark hair curtaining her face. Her lips in the darkest shade of crimson and her eyes, rimmed with a slight shade of mascara, she seemed to have evolved. From SmallVille Lois Lane to All The Queen’s Men Madam Devine.

"An assistant, wow, there really has been a lot of changes since the last time I was here" I pointed out.

"Of course, a certain writer once said, ’changes are the waft and yarns that weaves through the tapestry of time’ and

I totally agree with him. What’s life

without the subtle hands of change?"

"Right!, beautiful words indeed" I quipped, eager to please her so that when I broach the reason why I came, she would be in acceptance.

But in truth, I had wanted to tell her that change hadn’t been at all subtle with her.

Anna wasn’t really that beautiful, not the model kind. Her beauty was more average, but what her face lacked, she made up for in style.

And that was why I had been kinda devastated when her promotion forced her to tone down her style. It was good to see her still slaying.

"Just be out with it already, I have seen you stare at my desk more than five times now and I’ve never taken you for someone reserved with her thoughts

unless I’m not the only one whom change has affected..."

She had left the last statement hanging because she expected me to complete it, so I found myself saying,

"Yes, change has touched me as well, but that’s not why I’ve been tongue tied with my thoughts_"

A knock, and Ken walked in carrying a tray with a glass jug of some pink substance and two glasses.

Ken was basically a kid. He couldn’t be more than 19, and he was kinda cute with his glasses, and shy demeanor.

He reminded me of Cole. Cole, who had sent me a wave emoji last night and I was yet to respond. I wasn’t really planning to respond.

Cole, who must be at the Wellington Headquarters now on his first day of employment. And Cole, who could be out of a job if this conversation goes well.

Without meeting our eyes, Ken set down the tray and with trembling hands, poured the smoothie into the glasses.

"Will that be all?" He asked, straightening.

"Oh yes, hand me my glass," Anna said, stretching her open palm.

She knew the boy was eager to be gone from our sight, but wanted to make him stay, perhaps when he pees himself then she would let him go.

"Ken, this is Sofia, an acquaintance of mine. Sofia, Ken, my personal assistant" she introduced, as Ken made to leave.

I could tell that she was toying with him, but to what end?

"Hey Ken, nice to meet you"

"Hello... um, Sofia" he managed, pinching his glass.

"Kiss her hand," Anna ordered.

"I think that’s enough," I snapped, "can’t you see he’s uncomfortable"

In spite of my outburst, Ken obediently walked up to me, bent, softly clasped my fingers and with trembling lips brushed a kiss on my knuckles.

"Good." Anna mused, settling her glass.

Crossing her legs and locking her fingers on her knee, she continued,

"As much as I like your outspokenness, Sofia, but I assure you I know what I’m doing and am not cruel, because I know that’s what you are thinking. Ah ah, let me finish" she said, shushing me as I made to disagree.

"Ken here is my cousin and he’s a nerd. The boy is a genius and he’s supposed to be in college, but he knows nothing of how wild campus life can be. Imagine he’s 19 but has never been with a girl"

Ken flushed as he mumbled,

"Aunt, was that detail really necessary? I had told you that in confidence"

"Keep shut, so, Sofia, his parents sent him to me to stay for a year. And I plan to get him accustomed to the ways of women and life before college next year. Now, do you still think I’m being cruel?" She finished smacking her lips.

Instead of responding immediately, I took up my glass and managed a sip, it tasted like strawberry.

Settling back my glass, I said,

"You are doing him a huge favor, but have you taken the time to ask if that’s actually what he wants? Don’t get me wrong, but being an introvert is not so bad even though some people think it breeds serial killers," at her incredulous look, I added, "just saying"

"Ken, you may go now" she dismissed.

As the boy turned to leave, I tried to read him. I had been suspecting something and I wanted to confirm it.

At first, his outfit seemed unremarkable: navy blazer, white button-down, dark jeans. Then like running a hand on a mist covered mirror, my eyes caught subtle details.

I noticed the way his shirt fit, tailored to accentuate his physique without being too tight. The slight sheen to his shoes, polished but not ostentatious. The simple, elegant watch peeking from beneath his cuff. The way his mocha hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.

Led by my intuition, my gaze trailed to his hands, noticing the polished nails, slightly glossed.

It wasn’t just the clothes themselves; it was how Ken wore them. A quiet confidence, a deliberate restraint. I sensed a narrative beneath the surface, a story Ken wasn’t openly telling.

He had opened the door, revealing the watch I had seen earlier, when I called, "Hey, Ken, nice watch. Is that a..."

I allowed the unfinished question to stretch, hoping he would take the hint.

His eyes darted to the watch and he said,"Oh, yeah. Just a... a vintage find."

I flashed him a smile, he returned the smile before disappearing into the hall.

’Vintage find’, he had said. Not a brand name, not a boastful claim. Ken’s response was deliberate, measured. It confirmed my suspicions.

"What was that? And don’t even try any vagary" Anna declared, setting down her glass with a thud.

"Have ever considered that the reason why your cousin is yet to know any woman is because he’s not interested in them?

"But... but... he has never... he never said anything" she stuttered, the shock clear in her face.

The great Anna Wintour, with keen eyes for fishing out even the tiniest typo, and yet she hadn’t seen what was right in front of her. One couldn’t really blame her, I mean Ken was good at hiding it. It had taken an even deeper reading to figure it out.

"How did you know and how sure are you?"

"As sure as I am of tomorrow being Saturday and about how I knew, it’s kinda a long story" I answered.

"Well, you are in luck, my schedule was just cleared. Tell me everything"

And I did, from explaining my read as best as I could, to the first time I read, then the events of yesterday minus a few minor details and to the reason why I had come.

When I was done, she had that look of utter shock on her face.

"So, you are telling me that this, what did you call it again?"

"Sartorial Intuition" I supplied.

"Yes, Sartorial Intuition. It gives you the ability to see beyond the layers of clothes, not physically but like within."

"Is not really like that, more like it allows me to read meaning into various aspects of a person’s clothing that most people don’t see. And in reading such aspects, I glimpse parts or most times secrets the person would normally want to hide" I clarified.

"Wow, that is... um, unusual, but awesome. But tell me what gave Ken away? Was it the watch?"

"The watch aided, but in his case, it had more to do with how he wore the clothes and not the clothes itself."

"Huh, I wish I could say that I understood any of that, but that would be a lie. I would have asked you to read me, but I’m more interested in your meeting with Richard Wellington, you said you read his secretary, Vera and Harry, the guy who would be out of a job if you don’t manage to convince me, so tell me what led to such turn of events and don’t hold out on me"

I had almost forgotten how much Anna liked gossip.

Taking another sip of the strawberry smoothie, I launch into narration.

I told her of the job interview, skipping the lateness and reasons for it, because she didn’t know about Alicia’s cruelty to me and I didn’t want her to know.

I almost told her about Cole, but when I remembered that he could be out of a job because of this very conversation, I didn’t.

I didn’t even tell her of the sight I witnessed when I stormed into Richard’s office. I told her a workshop version of how my meeting with Richard led to the tour and how the tour led to a two days ultimatum to save a man’s job.

To be continued.