The Girl He Craves

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Sophie’s pov

When Aiden leaves, I plop down on the chair with a sigh while lifting Ashton onto my lap.

I let him play with my fingers as I look at my Mila who sat on the loveseat mirroring the sofa I sat on. She’s staring at me in confusion and shock.

“Sophie….” She trailed off in a stunned tone.

Knowing what she was going to say I nodded. “Yes I know. I’m shocked too. Even more confused.” I admitted.

She saw how Aiden acted with Ashton just a few minutes ago. He was warmer, more friendlier, and calmer than he had been years ago.

It stunned us all.

“From how bossy, arrogant, and intimidating he was earli- er to now warm, smiley and friendly is a huge leap within hours. He was so stern this morning and then in his office he

was-

I stopped and blushed furiously as I played with Ashton’s tiny fingers.

Mila’s eyes narrowed as her brows lift and she stared at me in amusement. “He was what?” Her lips tug up as if she was fighting a smile or a laugh.

“Yeah. He was what Soph?” Ria teased as she walked over with three mugs filled with coffee on a platter. She gives one

to Mila and then walks over to me to give me one.

“Nothing,” I blushed and lifted the rim of the mug to my lips, and took a sip of the coffee.

I winced. It was way too sweet but I knew better than to tell Ria that her coffee making skills were not top notch.

Unfortunately, Mila didn’t have the same thoughts as me.

“Ria you added way too much sugar in this coffee.” Mila cringes as she wipes her top lip.

Ria glares at her as she plops down on the other loveseat on the left.

“Well then you should have done your own coffee b**h.” She snapped.

I shot her a furious glare that she winced to and mumbled an apology.

I sighed and then brushed some of Ashton’s hair.

“I seriously thought you had been kidnapped Soph when I got here and you were nowhere in sight. Mila sent me that text seconds before I was about to dial 9-1-1.” Ria grumbles.

I winced. “Sorry. It’s not like I had a choice too. Aiden be- ing Aiden threatened an innocent man’s job. He literally threw me across his shoulder and left the apartment with me kicking and screaming.”

I need to call Bernard later and set a date for coffee so we could talk about what’s been happening between Aiden and me. He deserved that much for going out of his way to help.

Mila rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t be Aiden if he hadn’t threatened you.”

Ria snorted. “Was he always like this in high school?”

I nodded. “Annoying, rude and bossy then yes. A bully too.” I grumble and then looked down at Ashton.

Sighing heavily I admitted. “But I’ve considered giving him the benefit of the doubt and will let him have a chance to show me if he truly cares about Ash at all. Tonight he showed he did. Hopefully, he’ll continue to show me and convince me that he has changed.”

Mila nods. “I agree. Give him a chance maybe he has changed. I also saw the way he looked at you two, especially you Soph-

I shook my head and cut her off. “No. Don’t go there, Mila. We both know how it ends up when I give him a chance back in my heart. I’m not going to let my guard down so easily be- cause of a few stares here and there. I’m tougher now.”

Well I hoped I was tougher now.

Mila nods and looked at Ria.

I knew they were thinking the same. They were doubting that I can resist Aiden.

Especially with the way he looked at me tonight while he was playing with Ashton on the rug.

But I’m about to prove them wrong.

Aiden’s pov

I tried to move the tie off my neck as I closed the door be-

hind me.

than I thought but I managed to make

my eyes over the living room and stopped as I felt the

room was clean.

ago I loved all three. But now, the room looked like it was

messily on the floor. Maybe

gaze sweep over to the couch. It

the rug. It was way too

way too quiet. Way too clean. Way too spotless. Way

came to the pent- house tonight and

giggles from my son as I tick- led him lightly on his

at us. As she watched me play with our

then that I was reaching her. That

hopefully make her forgive

not only doing this to get into her good graces. I re- ally did want Sophie

And clearly…

scan over the empty living room

to live with me

she would

leave her friends, and the apart- ment she’s known for

trust.

to do if I

much was clear,

over to

really

fling the tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my head

this feeling of loneliness. I hated how so quiet it was right

here. To see them in here.

74.72

phone suddenly blares in my pocket and I fished

out.

when I saw the

Sergio.

answer button

the files. Al- so, I want to have a word with you.” Sergio

between

must want me to go to another business

is it?” I

a family to fight for, I didn’t need him to

found

Sophie’s pov

me, his

Xavier?” He asked with a

the truth. Bernard has after all done so much for me and

bare to lie

I told

and I were in high school. The reason why I wanted to leave the job. The

him that Aiden was Ashton’s dad. I told

the cup of coffee to

the diner, the very same one I have worked

years.

daycare, I came here to have coffee with Bernard and to tell

Mila approaches us.

you two need anything

actually late for work and I’m surprised Aiden hasn’t called my phone as yet

to Ash, but there was a different edge in his

few. Running late.” I said to Mila with

smile.

declined anything else

away soon

he reacted that way when I said you left the

so sorry I pulled you into that mess with Aiden, Bernard. He had no right to threaten

years Bernard visited the diner, those talks with me let me know that

make a little disagreement with Aiden cost the innocent man his job. I’ll not be the cause of his

done anything

as I

was determined to get what he wanted and he al- ways got it. But was that something to fear? Yes.

give him his props

achieve anything. It was clear so when he got out of jail earlier when he was supposed

was powerful. And that was something to