The Girl He Craves

Sophie’s pov

“How are you holding up by the way?” Mila questioned as my head rolled on her shoulder.

“I know the media has been shit lately towards you and now that they had Ashton’s picture circulating around….I can only imagine the stress it has brought on for both you and Aiden.” Mila murmured.

I nod, moving my head off her shoulder and mumble. “It doesn’t feel great to be in the public eye but with Aiden al- ways being the hot topic for blogs, it’s not surprising that they’re trying to get into everything they can about us.”

Mila looks over at me in worry. “These paparazzi and so- cial media scare me. This is why I stay far away from social media. The way they could spin any false story out of control makes me sick to my stomach.”

I nod, agreeing with her.

Suddenly my phone buzzes on the table, catching our at- tention. I picked it up, staring at the caller and a smile spread on my face.

Ingrid.

I haven’t heard from her in a hot minute and decided to call her today…only that she hadn’t answered when I did.

0.001

I’m relieved that she was at least okay.

I answered the video call quickly, lifting the phone to my

face.

When her face emerge on the screen, I couldn’t help but be worried. There were visible stress lines on her face.

“Ingrid?” I smiled. “I tried calling earlier. Haven’t heard from you an entire day.”

I shifted around so the camera could also be on Mila who waved at Ingrid. “The girls are here.” I said and then switch the camera to show Ria who was rocking Ashton back and forth to make him fall asleep.

Ria waves at Ingrid but Ash head was faced away and was resting on her shoulder, no doubt already sleeping.

Switching the camera back on me, I looked at Ingrid in deep worry when she hadn’t answered as yet.

“Ingrid?” I asked, a little more worried now that she seemed out of it.

I only shrugged in response because

finally answers but her voice

| questioned, my voice a bit shaky with nerves

out a forced smile.

pinched. “Where are you? This doesn’t look like the

18.06%

on my

gave me an

“I uh-

confessed. “Aiden and I are trying out this family thing.

some stray strands behind my

was no way she’d encourage me to move in with Aiden so soon, especially with our last conversation about

surprised me by nodding

at each other in

“Are you sure you are okay

takes a while to answer but she lets out a breath and spoke up. “I’ve just been worried about you Sophie

I do notice that this is not

on and she didn’t

make my lips

Given that the town was small and everyone knew each other, it wasn’t surprising if they remembered what happened

37.96%

years ago.

me.

they were saying

I was pretty sure the en- tire town knew about Aiden

Carson’s parents…..

them, especially the hostility they always sent me whenever I

home they were probably getting the brunt of the gossip that I was certain were

aren’t mean to you and Michael are they?” I asked, chewing on my lower lip

Ingrid smiled reassuringly.

”

nothing we

family. Gossip back here will not last and by next week everyone will