The Girl He Craves

40

Sophie’s pov

My fingers tremble as I dialed Mila’s number. She was probably already on her shift but right now I wasn’t thinking clearly.

I brought the phone to my ears and lifted my thumb to my mouth to bite on my nails. Anxiety was eating me alive right now, and I needed to hear a familiar voice to ease me and hold me down to reality. Because right now, I was convinced that this was a crazy dream and that I hadn’t actually seen Aiden.

Because there was no way in hell Aiden would ever ignore me after all those years. He would at least want to give me a piece of his mind or at least say my name, right?

Why was I even frustrated that he hadn’t acknowledged me?

I groaned and chewed on my nails. This really was a bad habit I should stop.

Mila answers on the fourth ring. “You caught me on a bad time Soph

“Sorry. I uh-I think I just saw Aiden Mila.” I breathed out in a rush as an image of Aiden in the elevator with me pushes into my mind.

He was so cold in there. He didn’t even spare me another glance after I said his name. He hadn’t even acknowledged that his name tumbled out of my lips.

“What?” Mila breathed out in both shock and confusion. “Did you say Aiden? As in Aiden Xavier? You saw him?”

“1

Oh G*d Mila, I wasn’t even sure what I saw in the first place. Maybe it was another guy alto gether and he hadn’t answered me because he wasn’t Aiden in the first place.

Maybe my s**id mind just placed Aiden’s image onto the guy’s face. Yes, that seems about right, I didn’t see Aiden, that was only my imagination.

“I’m not sure Mila. He

I sighed. Why can’t leven speak properly now? Gosh, I’m literally still tongue-tied.

“What do you mean you aren’t sure? Soph

Mila’s words are cut off by Lisa calling out my name to grab my attention. I look up. ashamed that I was caught on my phone during what was supposed to be my work hours.

“Mila I’ll call you back.” I rushed out and end the call quickly. I shifted in the seat and looked at Lisa like I was constipated. My first day and I was caught doing something I shouldn’t be do ing

Would she report me to Bernard?

“Yes? | asked sheepishly while cringing inwardly. Great first impression Sophie. I scowled at

myself.

Lisa smiled politely and outstretched her hand over the desk. “I’m Lisa, Bernard’s PA. Wel come to Harrington.co. I had meant to greet you earlier but you looked out of it.”

| smiled awkwardly and took her hand in mine. She shakes my hand firmly. “I’m Sophie. Bernard’s new secretary. Sorry about earlier, I thought I just saw…

I trailed off unsure of what to say without sounding crazy.

“I thought I saw a ghost.”

Really Sophie? A ghost doesn’t make you sound crazy at all. My conscious mocked me sar castically.

I wanted to groan out loud. I must sound like a complete nut job right now.

Lisa’s brows furrowed but she doesn’t push me to elaborate. Instead, she changes the sub ject, which I was more than grateful for.

the company. I’m free now and would love to

A tour? Right now?

if I bump into him

I thought I was convinced that the guy wasn’t truly Aiden but a fragment of

Bernard okay with you showing me around right now?” I asked,

Sure Bernard and I were friends, but there was a line

“He was the one who

okay then,” I said and rose to my feet. Lisa and I walked over to the

work alongside you.” She admitted and pressed the button for the elevator to

we spoke about nonsense until the doors slid open

first floor. You should already be

that slipped out of her mouth. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I was on the

last floor we can view. The CEO’s floor is off limits unless it’s for a business meeting or you’re one of the higher-ups.” Lisa said as she stepped

and told me to

blonde hair and

Sophie this is Emliss.” She introduced us. A younger man named

he smiled. “Hey.” He smiled at me

her hand on his chest. “Don’t even think about

“I wasn’t planning to try my luck with her.” He denied but I could

others came to join in on the conversation and I’m introduced to everyone until sud denly

and nervous. “The CEO just made an urgent meeting. All staff must

notice? What time is this meeting?” Lisa asked

He said everyone

a staff meeting, he fired half of the workers. Now holding one on such short notice, I can’t help but be worried for what’s

Aiden’s pov

tie. For some reason, it was

raked a hand through my hair in

on Bernard’s floor. Does that mean

dressed formally so it was obvious she

did she even

should’ve known

was I even thinking

frustrated for? She was now one of my employees, which meant she was under me. I could just fire her. Bernard would have no say in

at the skyscraper buildings No, that would be too easy to do. I won’t fire her just yet. I want her squirming in my

her to feel frustrated just as

my fingers on the numbers.

ring.

must’ve gone to

doing what college kids do, drink, smoke, and have sex. While I was here running a multi-billion dollar business. Sure the job wasn’t bad, but I can’t help but feel jealous that

Ryland wake up man, Aiden’s on the phone.” I heard a

rest.” Ryland’s voice flutters from the other line. I rolled my

of the s**t I went through that one year in jail. My parents too, but I knew they were disappointed about

pulled air into my lungs before speaking, “I think I just saw Sophie Bell in my building. If not her

ain’t dead man. Well I don’t think so. Still, how crazy is that, that you run into

I was asking myself. What’s even

chuckled.

romance here. I’m over her.” | gritted out,

the hell was it so

b**it. What did you do when you saw her? Did you pull

while unbuttoning the first button on my

pretended like she didn’t

cold.” Austin chuckled. “Did she say anything to you? I