The Girl He Craves

84

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.

I managed to make that

room and stopped

was clean.

three. But now,

missed toys s**ered messily on the floor.

to the

to the rug.

way too quiet. Way too clean. Way too

in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found every

son as I tick- led him

coming from his mother as she stared at us. As she watched me play with our

hope then that I was

get into her heart and hopefully make her forgive me for

good graces. I

And clearly…

the

them to

s**id to not know that she would definitely give me hell

fact, there was a huge possibility that she’d never agree. She’d never want to leave

trust.

I

much was clear,

sighed and walked over

would really

the sofa and throw my head back

this feeling of loneliness. I hated how

crave to hear them in here. To see them in here. To wake up to

74.72

phone suddenly blares in my pocket and I fished

out.

jaw clenched when I saw

Sergio.

thumb over the answer button and lift the phone to my

to let you know that I’ve received the files. Al- so, I

pinched between my

go to another business meeting

is it?”

fight for, I didn’t need

I found you

Sophie’s pov

sitting across from me, his gaze swirling with deep confusion and

Ashton’s father is Aiden Xavier?”

it wouldn’t make sense to not tell him the truth. Bernard has after all

to

I told him

in high school. The reason why I wanted to

that Aiden was Ashton’s dad. I told

as I brought the cup of

at the diner, the very same one

years.

Ashton off at daycare, I came here to have coffee with

Mila approaches us.

need anything else?

We were actually late for work and I’m surprised Aiden hasn’t called

there was a different edge in his voice when

few. Running late.” I

smile.

declined anything else other than a

away soon

I understand why he reacted that way when I said you left the

that mess with Aiden, Bernard. He had no right to threaten your job. But don’t worry I won’t let him

the diner, those talks with me let me know

with Aiden cost the innocent

that time he meant it. He would’ve done anything to keep you by his side. I

as I frowned. Bernard

what he wanted and he al- ways got

to give him his

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

And that was something to both