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.

company. I’m free now and would love to give you a tour.” She

A tour? Right now?

I bump into him

convinced that the guy wasn’t truly

Bernard okay with you showing me around right now?”

to leave a good impression. Sure

was the one who suggested

I said and rose to my feet. Lisa and I walked

has really spoken highly of you Sophie. I’m really excited to work alongside you.” She admitted and pressed the button for

about

already be familiar with

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

for a business meeting or you’re one of the higher-ups.” Lisa said as she stepped out of the lift. I followed her and

and told me to

A young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes

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

He smiled at me and outstretched his

back of her hand on

her.” He denied but I could sense his lie and giggled when Emliss said

in on the conversation and I’m introduced to everyone until sud

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

notice? What time is this

minutes. He said

worried.” The last time he held a staff meeting, he fired half of the workers. Now holding one on such

Aiden’s pov

For some reason, it was scorching hot even though

a hand through

Bernard’s floor. Does that mean she works

dressed formally so it was

she

the CEO, I should’ve known about everything

even

for? She was now one of my employees, which meant she

and looked out the huge glass wall and glared at the skyscraper buildings No, that would be too easy to do. I won’t fire her

want her to feel frustrated just as I

on the numbers. I dialed Austin.

ring.

He said groggily. He must’ve gone to

feeling left out. Austin and Ryland were in college, 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 and Austin were getting to

Ryland wake up man, Aiden’s on the

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

Ryland were the only two who stood be side me through all of the s**t I went through that one year in

into my lungs before speaking, “I think I just saw Sophie Bell in my building. If

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

again. ” That’s exactly what I was asking myself. What’s even crazier is that she’s working here,

chuckled. “Office

office romance here. I’m over her.” | gritted out, loosening my tie

the hell was it so

b**it. What did you do when you saw her? Did you pull her into your arms?” Ryland asked sounding

her,” I stated bluntly while unbuttoning the first

she didn’t

anything to you? I bet