Alex POV.
My phone buzzed again. Let a man sleep, dammit!
My fingers probed the nightstand for my phone and I brought it up to my ear. “Wakey wake.” A voice spoke from the other end.
Rubbing my eyes, I looked at the contact and frowned.
“What the fuck do you want, Steve?” I snapped.
“Nothing. Just wanted to show you something.”
“No thanks. Not interested.”
“Oh, believe me, Alex, you'll be very interested once you see this.”
I sighed. “Cut to the chase.”
“Alright, I'm sending you a picture in 3....2...”
My phone buzzed with a notification.
“One.” He chuckled.
I gave a weird look at the phone. What was wrong with him? I waited for the picture to load and once it did, I felt my anger poison my blood.
It was a picture of Sophia in some cafe hugging that guy, Colin. They both were smiling and seemed so happy. They were practically clinging to each other.
Dammit! Did she like him this much?
“I believe I have your interest now,” Steve said.
My jaw clenched in anger and I let out a breath before speaking. “Have you been stalking her?”
I was trying so hard to keep my anger at bay. It's been nearly a month since the incident at my office.
I understood that she was hurt. I understood why she wanted to resign from her position as my secretary. I knew that I was being a douche for asking her why she wanted to resign and for even attempting to make it about the salary.
Truth is, I still don't know how to explain the situation to her.
How do you explain to the girl you like that you impregnated another woman? Your ex fiance for that matter?
It was beyond messed up and since I've decided to step up as a responsible father, even though I still do not want anything to do with Emily, my relationship with Sophia is crushed.
But that did not mean that I wanted to see her in another man's arms.
And since I never really accepted her resignation, she was still technically my employee.
Steve let out a laugh bringing me out of my thoughts. “You think I have the time for that?”
“Where did you get this from?”
“That's for me to know and for you too well....not know.”
“Don't test me, Steve.” I snapped.
“Jeez, calm down! Why's it bothering you so much? You alone decided to get back with Emily, didn't you?”
I narrowed my eyes for a moment. “It's not bothering me. And you know the situation with Emily, dammit!”
“I can't say I do.” He whispered, then continued “Are you sure it's not bothering you?” I could hear the laughter in his voice but chose to ignore it.
“I'm just worried that you're stalking my employee.”
“Relax.” He chuckled “I happen to know the owner of the coffee shop. He was printing out some happy moments captured on the surveillance cameras for his daughter's school project. He just showed me the project.”
“Wait! That picture's going on a damned school project!? I panicked.
“Not anymore, since I took it away,” Steve remarked.
I sighed in gratitude.
“They sure look like they're meant to be together.” I could hear the smirk in his voice.
“What are you talking about?” I questioned.
“I mean, look at how he went to visit her in the middle of her shift.”
“Shift? Sophia works there?” My eyes grew wide and I frowned.
“You didn't know that, Alex? Do better research on your employee next time.”
“Go to hell, Steve.”
“Why do you sound so vexed, Alex?”
I took a deep breath and yelled at him.
“Because it's too early in the morning and you're pissing me off. So now, I'm going to hang up. Bye, asshole.”
I cursed as I hung up.
Looking down at the picture, I couldn't help but ponder over Steve's words.
They looked like they were meant to be together. What if they loved each other? They did look.....happy.
Sighing, I threw my phone away on the bed and leaned against the headboard.
Maybe I should just let them b— No! I blurted out after thinking much of it.
And so, without wasting any time, I sent her a text that I was coming to pick her up.
***
Sophia's POV.
“Sophia” I heard Stephanie's voice say.
Groaning, I tossed over my pillow to cover my eyes.
“Sophia, wake up.” She shook me roughly until I snapped my eyes open and glared at her.
“What?”
“Look at this.” She walked over to the window and I frowned.
Confused, I scrambled out of the bed and sauntered across the room lazily to the window.
A familiar Lamborghini was parked in the parking area.
I blinked and rubbed my eyes to see clearly.
What was Alexander Hayes doing here?
Suddenly, the tinted car windows rolled down and there he was in all his glory, hair styled back and a pair of shades shielding his eyes.
Then out of nowhere, his finger pulled the shade down and his eyes locked straight with mine. “Oh my God,” Stephanie muttered and I turned around. She was holding my phone.
There was a message from Alexander Hayes. I'll be there to pick you up today at 8 am. Dress casual.
What the hell!?
I looked at the time. It was 8:30 am Guess I overslept.
***
Alex's POV.
I felt maybe she decided to ignore me because I told her to be ready by 8 am and here I was, leaning against my car parked in her apartment complex parking lot, looking like a fool.
When she looked out the window, she seemed so surprised to see me. Did she not get my message?
I was getting bored of the number of girls throwing glances my way, trying to start a conversation, and walking past my car to get my attention. Their giggles were giving me a headache.
I almost pulled my phone out to call Sophia but then I finally saw her walking in my direction.
“Good morning Mr Hayes.”
I frowned. “Mr Hayes?” But she didn't say a word.
"Good morning, Ms O'Brien.” I muttered.
As we got into the car, I could see her cutting glances at me out of the corner of my eye. “I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I was so tired last night that I overslept this morning.” She finally spoke.
Last night? When she was with that guy? I suddenly felt my temper flare. Taking in a deep breath, I kept my eyes focused on the road. I pressed my lips into a thin line, waiting for her to speak further.
I cut a glance in her direction and she was looking outside the window.
Why wouldn't you tell me about the coffee shop and Colin, Sophia? But then, why would you?
“Actually,” she started and I quickly averted my gaze back to the road, “I work at this coffee shop near my apartment.”
Was she a mind reader?
“Oh,” I said.
“What time does your shift start every day?” I asked.
“8 if I have the morning shift and 6 in the evening.”
I thought for a moment. “Do you like working there? At the coffee shop?”
She didn't respond to this question.
With a sigh, she leaned back into the seat.
I took that as a no.
“Everything's got its ups and downs. Some co-workers are so bitchy and impolite. Sometimes I don't even want to go but I need the money."
“Quit it,” I said, cutting her off. She blinked at me.
“Continue working for me,” I added.
“I never really accepted your resignation letter so technically, you're still an employee of mine. There's no reason for you to endure all that when you have a perfectly good job waiting for you. And you're good at what you do.”
“I can't.”
“You're working for me, Sophia. I'll pay you a lot more than you're making at this coffee shop.”
“You still think this is about money?” she snapped.
I sighed. “I know it's not and I'm sorry for everything but I also know you need this money. Continue working for me, strictly professional.” I added.
She was quiet.
I took that as a yes! Then after a few seconds, she called “Mr Hayes?”
I looked at her.
“Where are we going?" she asked.
“To a restaurant.”