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.

but I managed

the living room and stopped as I felt the heaviness

was clean. Spotless.

all three. But now, the room looked like it was missing

floor. Maybe it missed coffee

to the couch. It was way

to the rug. It was way too

too quiet. Way too

never felt so lonely in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found

happy giggles from my son as I tick- led him

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

had hope then that I was

heart and hopefully make her forgive me

to get into her good graces.

And clearly…

the empty living

to live

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

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

trust.

work to do if I wanted

much was clear,

over

would really love

tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my head back and watched the

hate this feeling of loneliness. I hated

them in here. To see them in here. To wake up

74.72

blares in my

out.

jaw clenched when I saw the caller

Sergio.

over the answer button

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

between

want me to go to another business meeting to

it?”

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

I found you

Sophie’s pov

his gaze swirling with deep confusion and

Aiden Xavier?” He asked with a

tell him the truth. Bernard has after all

to lie to his

I told

why I wanted

told him that Aiden was Ashton’s dad. I told him

the cup

the diner, the very same

years.

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

Mila approaches us.

anything else?

We were actually late for work and I’m surprised

called to speak to Ash, but there was a different edge in his voice when

in a few. Running late.” I said to

smile.

also declined anything else other than

away

when I said you left the building.” Bernard

had no right to threaten your job. But don’t worry

talks with me let

the innocent man

this wasn’t the first time Aiden has threatened my position. But that time he meant it. He would’ve done anything to keep you by

lips together as I frowned. Bernard was

and he al- ways

give him his props

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

was powerful. And that was something to both fear