Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, Tuscan Villa ~

Sunday

7:03 AM

"Thank you for letting me stay.", Leah told Sophia over a cup of coffee.

Sophia yawned. "Don't worry about it. Feel free to stay as long as you wish. The room is empty otherwise. How are you doing?"

"I will be fine."

"Are you sure that it was a wise choice to leave?", Sophia had to ask. She knows that Leah is struggling in her relationship with Isabella for months, but she also knows that what happened between Leah and Isabella was more than a fling.

"I foolishly accepted the fact that if I stay with her, I will be OK taking the backseat compared to her company and her business partners and her father who all come before me in Isabella's list of priorities. And now a boyfriend cut in the line in front of me as well. I love her, but I was not happy. I am tired of leading a double life while being the only one who is denied an equal treatment."

Sophia feels sorry for Leah. She knows Leah for many years, and she is aware that Leah compromised a lot in order to stay by Isabella's side. Leah loves to go out, party, travel. And with Isabella, Leah's life revolved around Isabella's schedule of meetings and business functions where Leah was only a backup player.

Sophia remembers how before Leah left for Salina, she spoke with glee about vacations and all the places she will visit with Isabella. And eleven months later, the two of them didn't go on any vacation because it does not work with Isabella's schedule.

"What if she changes her mind?", Sophia wanted to find out how firmly Leah decided on this.

Leah's answer told Sophia that everything is still fresh.

"If that miracle happens, then I will think about it. But I know that what we had… was not enough. Do you think I made a mistake?"

"No. I think that you went there following your heart. Unfortunately, it didn't work out but if you didn't go, you would regret it. You are a wonderful person and you should find someone who puts you first."

Leah smiled. "Thanks."

They sat like that for some time in silence when Leah asked: "What are you up to?"

Sophia grunted. "Jeff's Uncle launched a massive legal smear-campaign and I am working with a small army of layers to stop it before it causes any damage. It's Sunday, but I will still go to the office. My whole team is coming. We still have few cases to figure out and gather the evidence before they go in front of the judge next week."

"Can I help?", Leah offered.

"Considering what you went through and that you spent half of the night at the airport, don't you want to rest, relax, eat ice-cream, binge-watch TV dramas, go to the beach or do some shopping?"

Leah smiled. Sophia really has everything worked out, but that is not what Leah needs.

"I slept in the plane and I will appreciate if I can keep my mind busy."

7:58 AM

"CEO Martin-Hill, here is the information on the three most critical…", Pam was all business as soon as she came into Sophia's house. She paused when she saw Sophia and Felix making out in the hallway and she looked away awkwardly. Pam saw them standing, but she didn't see what they are doing. Until now.

Leah observed Pam inelegantly look away and she stifled a laugh. "Don't worry about intruding on their private time. I am sure they didn't notice you at all."

Pam looked at Leah and her eyebrows shoot up questionably.

"Hi, I am Leah. Sophia's friend and you are…?"

"I am Pamela, Sophia's assistant. You can call me Pam.", Pamela shook Leah's hand.

Leah paused. She didn't know that Sophia hired an assistant.

"I see you've met.", Sophia said as she approached them and noticed Leah's off mood. "Don't you dare sulk because I found an assistant. You spoiled me so much that it took me almost a year to find someone who is capable."

Leah forced a smile. "But you still found a replacement."

Sophia realized that Leah's insecurities kicked in. Well, after what she went through with Isabella, Sophia knows that Leah needs encouragement. She gave Leah a hug. "Yes, I replaced you as an assistant. But as a friend, no one can take your place."

Leah relaxed. "Thanks."

In the car, Sophia introduced them properly.

"Pam is my assistant. She is quick to pick up things and very reliable." Sophia was happy to see a big grin on Pam's face. Next, she introduced Leah to Pam: "This is Leah, she was my assistant before you. Since we are drowning in work and she is capable and willing to offer her time and expertise, I believe that she can help us out."

"Nice to meet you.", Leah and Pam said in unison and then smiled.

"I see that we are off to a good start.", Sophia said and leaned back into the car seat. She will try to rest until they reach White corp. HQ.

Sophia is happy to hear that Leah started asking Pam about the current situation and with what she can help out. And Pam was answering eloquently. Based on Sophia's first impression, Leah and Pam will work well together.

…

~ Salina ~

Isabella came to work without Leah.

She found it strange how much she noticed Leah's absence. From the silent apartment, to the extra room in the car, lack of coffee on her desk, and no one to go through her schedule as soon as she sits on her chair… Leah is missing.

Isabella wanted to call Leah, to tell her to come back, but she knows why Leah left and Isabella is not sure that she can give Leah what she craves for. Sure, she loves Leah's company, and it goes beyond the amazing sex. Leah is kind, attentive, caring, she can light up the room with her smile and perky personality... and is willing to watch an action movie which Isabella picked, even though Leah prefers dramas.

Isabella knows that she didn't do enough for Leah, but at the same time she does not feel guilty. After all, she explained her situation and set the conditions in advance… but, why does she feel uncomfortable?

She did her best to focus on the work ahead. There is a number of meetings waiting for her, and without Leah summarizing things in advance for her, Isabella needs to do her own homework.

Later in the day, Lambert stopped by.

"Where is your assistant?"

"You mean Leah.", Isabella reminded him. "She left."

"For how long?", Lambert assumed that she went on a vacation.

"She… quit.", Isabella remembered that for her father, Leah was nothing more than an assistant, so if she left, that means that she quit her job.

Isabella wondered if that is how Leah saw their relationship. Like a job? After all, most of their time together was spent in the office and in business functions.

Lambert frowned. "Why didn't you tell me that she gave you a notice?"

"She didn't give a notice.", Isabella responded while avoiding her father's inquisitive gaze.

"She just left? You should not give her any severance pay.", Lambert instructed Isabella. "As a CEO, you need an assistant. I will help you hire someone reliable and capable. Someone who will not just leave without a notice… Youngsters these days…"

Lambert complained, and Isabella forced a smile.

This is how it always was. Lambert is giving instructions and telling Isabella what the best for her is, and she… accepts. And even though she knows that this 'new assistant' will be someone loyal to Lambert instead of her, Isabella does not have the courage to speak up. She is used to it.

Leah's presence was a reminder that doing something on your own can be wonderful. But now that Leah is gone, Isabella feels the strength of her father's whirlpool sucking her in and she has nothing to hold on to in order to prevent herself from going to the bottom.

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