35. SOFIA

"Are you both a couple?" Her words rang in his ears making him avoid looking at Taliya who left the guests behind and forwarded her steps towards the strange girl.

"Haroon, you know her?" She questioned him, eyeing the girl's too bright clothes.

"She is an Influencer, maybe she was on the invitation list." He said avoiding looking at both of them, rubbing his nape and walked out of the awkward scenario.

"Wait, Mr. Hero!" Gathering her purse in her hand tightly she ran off to Haroon making him sprint away from her.

Taliya blinked on the scenario and poked her cheek with her tongue from inside, ignoring the rushing blood in her cheeks. Thinning her lips she spread her hands not knowing what to do.

"Alright, everyone I guess its time for some refreshment." Matthew jumped to save her from awkwardness making her pass him a very grateful nod with a small smile.

Haroon ducked behind a column, his heart racing. The afterparty buzzed with laughter and music, but all he could focus on was the girl who had been chasing him. He took a deep breath, peeking around the corner to see if she was still following.

“Mr. Hero!” her voice rang out, closer than he had anticipated.

He winced, realizing he couldn’t stay hidden forever. Slowly, he edged around the column and scanned the crowd. There she was, weaving through the guests, her eyes searching frantically. Haroon tried to remember where he had seen her before, but his mind was a blank.

The girl spotted him and broke into a grin. Haroon turned on his heel and slipped through a side door, finding himself in a dimly lit corridor. The music was a muffled throb behind him as he pressed on, hoping to find a way out.

“Wait!” she called again, her footsteps echoing behind him. “Mr. Hero, stop!”

Haroon burst through another door and found himself in a quiet lounge, the scent of leather and cigars thick in the air. A few guests looked up in surprise, but he ignored them, heading for the back exit.

Before he could reach it, the girl grabbed his arm. Haroon spun around, ready to confront her.

“What do you want, now?” he demanded, his voice harsh with anxiety. “And why do you keep calling me Mr. Hero?”

She let go of his arm, looking slightly hurt but determined. “I’m Sofia,” she said, her breath coming in short gasps. “We took that amazing picture of our shadows.”

Haroon blinked, trying to piece together her words. “Yeah, so?”

“Yes!” she said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I took that photo and shared it on Instagram, talking about you mysteriously. Thanks to you, I gained over 200 new followers!”

Haroon’s memory sparked, recalling the moment. He had been admiring the way the light cast long shadows, and Layla had been standing nearby, looking for a good photo opportunity. On a whim, he had taken a picture and tagged her, thinking nothing of it.

“Sofia,” he said slowly, the name now familiar. “I didn’t realize it made such a difference.”

She smiled, relief flooding her features. “It did. You have no idea how much that means to me. You’re my hero, Mr. Hero.”

Haroon felt a strange mix of emotions—embarrassment, pride, and a hint of something else. “I’m glad it helped,” he said softly. “But please, just call me Haroon.”

Sofia nodded, her smile widening. “Thank you, Haroon. For everything.”

As they stood there in the quiet lounge, the chaos of the afterparty forgotten. Silence surrounded them as Sofia fumbled with her bag and sighed, "I want to have a look at the fabrics."

Her eyes raised upto him making him gulp down the lump on her innocent. His lips stretched into a small smile as he guided back her to the event.

Haroon stood near the display, the newly launched fabric draped elegantly on a mannequin. The room was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but his focus was on Sofia, who had just approached, curiosity lighting up her eyes.

“Sofia,” Haroon greeted with a warm smile. “I see you’ve found our latest creation.”

Sofia nodded, her fingers lightly brushing the fabric. “It’s beautiful. What makes it special?”

Haroon’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he began to explain. “This fabric is called Lumina Silk. It’s the centerpiece of our summer collection, themed ‘Ethereal Elegance.’ It’s a blend of traditional silk with a new type of synthetic fiber that enhances its durability while maintaining that classic, luxurious feel.”

Sofia listened intently, her interest piqued. “How does it manage to stay so light yet feel so strong?”

“That’s the innovation part,” Haroon said, gently lifting a corner of the fabric to show her. “The synthetic fibers are incredibly thin but extremely resilient. They’re woven into the silk in a way that reinforces the structure without adding weight. The fabric also has a slight iridescence, which gives it a unique shimmer under different lighting—perfect for capturing the essence of ethereal elegance.”

Sofia’s eyes widened as she examined the fabric more closely. “I can see that. It’s like it changes color as you move it. This could be a game-changer for summer fashion.”

Haroon nodded. “That’s what we’re hoping. It’s versatile enough for evening gowns, yet durable enough for everyday wear. And because of the synthetic fibers, it’s also more breathable and perfect for the warmer months.”

Sofia smiled, clearly impressed. “You’ve really thought of everything. I can’t wait to see what designers will create with Lumina Silk.”

Haroon felt a surge of pride. “We’re excited too. This is just the beginning. With fabrics like these, the possibilities are endless.”

As Sofia moved on to explore more of the event, Haroon watched her go, feeling a sense of accomplishment. This launch was more than just a presentation; it was the start of something new and transformative.

"Hm, Haroon. I see you found someone." The voice made him cringe inside as he slowly turned around.