Sofia sprinted at her top speed, swiftly disappearing into the dense, shadowy depths of the forest. She moved with the grace and agility of a deer, her footsteps barely making a sound as she weaved through the thick underbrush and towering trees. The forest seemed to swallow her whole, leaving no trace of her passage.

Christ stood still for a moment, watching the spot where Sofia had vanished. He knew that attempting to chase her would be futile; her speed and familiarity with the forest gave her a significant advantage.

Besides, Christ had already secured the herb he needed most urgently. He weighed his options quickly and decided that the herb Sofia carried, while potentially important, could be retrieved later if necessary.

Confident in his ability to track Sofia down whenever he needed, Christ turned away from the forest.

His thoughts were calm and assured. He knew that Sofia was not beyond his reach. With his skills and resources, he could locate her at any time. Satisfied with this conclusion, Christ began his journey back to the capital, his mind already shifting to the next steps of his plan.

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the forest, Sofia slowed her pace as she approached a hidden gem of nature. Nestled among the trees was a stunning waterfall, cascading down from a rocky cliff into a crystal-clear pool below.

The scene was like something out of a fairy tale, with the sunlight filtering through the canopy and casting a magical glow on the water. The air was filled with the soothing sound of the waterfall and the gentle rustle of leaves.

Sofia reached the water's edge and paused to catch her breath, the exertion from her run evident in the sheen of sweat on her skin. She knelt down and dipped her hands into the cool, refreshing water, splashing it onto her face and neck.

The sensation was invigorating, washing away the physical strain and refreshing her spirit. She took a moment to appreciate the serene beauty around her, feeling a sense of peace envelop her as she cleansed herself.

The waterfall, with its perfect blend of natural elements, was her sanctuary, a place where she could find solace and rejuvenation amidst the chaos of her life.

"Aah, what did I do? How could I have acted like a complete fool?" Sofia muttered to herself, her voice tinged with frustration and disbelief. She stood by the waterfall, staring intensely at her reflection in the crystal-clear water. The serene environment sharply contrasted with the turmoil churning within her mind.

Out of all the people, why did my first kiss have to be with Christ Roy? she wondered, her mind racing back to the moment.

She recalled the look in his eyes when their lips met—those calm, unwavering eyes. It was as if the kiss had no impact on him, as if it were an inconsequential event in his life. His composed demeanor made Sofia question the reality of what had happened. Did that kiss truly occur, or was it just a figment of her imagination?

Her reflection showed a face contorted with a mix of confusion and determination. "I swear," she vowed, her voice barely more than a whisper yet filled with a steely resolve, "one day I will shatter that calm facade of his. I want to see his eyes ignite with passion, with chaos, mirroring the storm within me."

Sofia's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as she envisioned her goal. She wanted to break through Christ's stoic exterior, to see a look of madness in his eyes.

She imagined him transformed into a masterpiece of emotional turmoil, a creation molded by her own hands.

As she spoke, her tone remained eerily calm, as placid as the water cascading down the rocks.

Yet, behind that calmness lay a burning desire to disrupt, to create chaos where there was order. Her reflection seemed to mirror this duality—serenity on the surface, but a deep, relentless hunger for something more turbulent underneath.

Sofia's gaze never wavered from her reflection as she continued to speak to herself, the waterfall's gentle roar providing a soothing backdrop to her fervent thoughts.

In this moment of introspection, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, she found a new resolve. Her eyes, filled with a destructive desire, promised a future encounter where she would not rest until she had elicited the intense, chaotic response she craved from Christ.

Sofia quickly gathered her thoughts, shaking off the turmoil that had briefly overtaken her. She took one last glance at the serene waterfall, then turned and swiftly made her way out of the forest.

The days of intense shooting for the music video had finally come to an end. Her crew, exhausted but elated, organized a wrap-up party to celebrate their hard work and success. However, Sofia was conspicuously absent from the festivities.

Instead of joining her team, Sofia was in a secluded location, meticulously preparing an antidote for the poison coursing through her body. The urgency of her task left no room for celebration or socializing.

Her absence did not go unnoticed, and it stirred discontent among the crew members. Many felt slighted, interpreting her nonattendance as an act of arrogance and blatant disregard for the unwritten rules of camaraderie in the entertainment industry.

John, one of Sofia's closest allies, tried to mitigate the situation. He explained to the crew that Sofia's absence was not out of disdain but necessity. Despite his efforts, the explanation did little to soothe the wounded pride of those who felt disrespected.

The air buzzed with murmurs of disapproval and resentment, the crew's morale dampened by what they perceived as Sofia's haughty behavior.

Unaware of the brewing discontent, Sofia continued her journey to the capital, her mind focused on the crucial task at hand. When she eventually learned about the crew's disappointment and the rumors of her arrogance, she was already well on her way.

Yet, she felt no pang of guilt or concern. To Sofia, the opinions of the crew held no weight. They were mere background noise, a chorus of clowns performing in a circus that held no interest for her.