Sophia's POV.
I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock.
Urgh! I couldn't believe it was already morning and the day was scheduled for our vacation flight.
Just then, Stephanie came into my room, looking worse than I was. We had packed late into the night and therefore, exhausted.
“Okay, I'm sorry for dragging you to that horrible date but since when did you start biting your nails?” She said, scrunching her nose up.
Blinking, I brought my hand to my side and blew out the small nail shards from my mouth. I hadn't realized that I was doing that.
“Ever since I agreed to go on a vacation with my boss's family,” I replied. “Come on, Soph. It's Florida.”
“It's Alex,” I stated.
She rolled her eyes.
“You talk as if he's going to kill you. I'm pretty sure killing you is not among the list of the things he wants to do to you on this vacation.”
I choked. Choked on the air around me.
She smirked.
“I was expecting some blushing and excitement but..okay.” She shrugged.
“I don't understand you, Stephanie.” My eyes narrowed. “One minute, you hate his guts and introducing me on a double date, and the next, you're trying to hook me back up with my boss.”
She held a finger up. “I only hate him because he's been a jerk to you.” I just shook my head.
“Well, I guess we gotta start getting ready,” I stated.
*****
“Girls! There you are!”
We both turned around to find Mrs Hayes walking up to us, a huge excited grin plastered on her face.
Wish I was that excited about the vacation.
“Mrs Hayes.” I greeted her politely with a smile but she quickly pulled me and Stephanie in for a hug.
“This is my best friend, Stephanie. Stephanie, Mrs Hayes, Alex's mother.” I introduced myself.
Stephanie offered a curt smile.
“So pleased to meet you ma. Thank you for allowing me to be here.”
“Nonsense! The more the merrier. And please, call me Kate and none of that Mrs. Hayes rubbish.” She grinned.
We both nodded, smiling.
“Sophia, Stephanie. Come on now, hurry up. Everyone's already boarded the jet.”
I wanted to pay for my flight ticket but the Hayes owned a private jet which only added to my anxiety. I was so nervous about going on the trip with them.
I suddenly felt like a celebrity the moment we entered the plane. Everything screamed luxury.
The first person I met was Alex's father. He was talking to the pilot when he smiled and nodded at me.
“You must be Sophia O'Brien?” I nodded, smiling.
“Thomas Hayes, Alex's father. You're welcome aboard.”
He smiled, extending his hand for a handshake.
It was so hard to believe that my rude and insensitive boss came from a family as kind and polite as this.
Finally, my eyes fell on Alex.
He was already seated beside his sister and they were both looking at something on her phone and laughing.
Unconsciously, a smile formed on my lips.
I noticed his clothing. He was dressed in a casual black t-shirt which accentuated his well-built torso and a pair of denims, giving him a young and carefree vibe.
He suddenly looked up.
I was caught staring at him. Blinking, I looked away.
“Sophia! Stephanie!” Andrea squealed. I hadn't even realized she'd gotten up until she engulfed us both in a hug.
“We're going to have so much fun!” She laughed. Stephanie chuckled.
A flight attendant announced that we were going to take off soon and that we needed to settle down.
I watched in horror as Andrea sat next to Stephanie.
Why can't you just sit close to your brother?!
“Sophia, do you mind?” Andrea asked, motioning towards her brother.
Stephanie winked at me and motioned with her chin at the back, where Alex was sitting.
Well, great start to a great vacation. I thought sarcastically.
I walked over to the seat beside him and sat down, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. “Hello, Sophia.” His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.
Hesitantly, I looked up into his blue orbs.
“Hi, Mr Hayes,” I muttered.
“Did you miss me?” He placed his warm hand over mine.
I was taken aback. My mouth opened slightly in surprise and I was sure he could see the red on my cheeks.
What was wrong with him?
“Aw, don't you guys see each other every day?” I heard a voice ahead of us and looked up to find Andrea, who had climbed on her seat and propped her elbow on the backrest, looking back at us with a grin. “And you still miss each other? It's so cute.”
Did he do this because he knew his sister was watching? To humiliate me perhaps.
“My God!” Alex's dad called from his seat. “Give them some space to breathe.” “But it is cute.” Andrea pouted.
“I have to agree,” Stephanie smirked at me.
Betrayer!
Oh God!
Once everyone was settled back in their seats, Alex lifted his hand from mine and turned to look out the window. I frowned.
It solidified my claim that he only did that to put on an act.
I leaned back in my seat and looked outside at the shrinking runway.
The plane had taken off and everyone unbuckled their seatbelts.
Some went to the couch behind us, while some went to the mini bar.
I just preferred being in my seat and doing off for the rest of the journey. The late-night packing had exhausted me.
My eyelids drooped as I stifled a yawn and finally dozed off.
~~~
“Mum, please just take one picture.”
Andrea? What the hell was going on?
“No, Andrea.”
“But they look so adorable.”
“I said no.”
I took in a deep breath as a rich scent filled my nostrils. My cheeks were against something hard. My neck was hurting and I felt like there was some weight on my head.
My eyes slowly opened, coming in contact with a t-shirt, Alex's t-shirt.
I suddenly jerked away from him, taking away the only support for his head, which was my head. He looked around in confusion, blinking.
Andrea was already in her seat and I noticed Kate's smile dropped as she looked between us for a moment, then went back to looking forward, pretending to not notice us.
Oh no!
“I'm so sorry. I thought there was some bug on your t-shirt.” I quickly came up with an excuse, but he still looked confused.
I wanted to laugh out loud at his lost expression. “Sophia.....” He trailed off.
“Go back to sleep,” I said.
“It's fine. We're about to land soon anyways.” with that, he turned to the window once more.
Sighing, I leaned back and looked ahead. Everyone was back in their seats, buckled in, and ready to land in Miami.
I was even more exhausted when we landed and got into the car to reach the hotel. Once we were seated in the lobby, I finally took a deep breath.
It was a luxurious hotel with an amazing private beach. The sand looked so tempting under the evening sky. All I wanted to do was go outside in the cool breeze and sleep for the next whole decade.
“Sophia, you should go and rest.” Alex's mum came up to me. “And where's Alex?”
“I don't know.” I looked around.
“Here.” She handed me a key card. “You go up to the room. I'll send Alex whenever I find him.” Wait what?!
“Wait, you'll send Alex? Is that supposed to mean—” I stopped abruptly when a look of confusion crossed her face.
I let out a nervous laugh. “I just thought I'd be sharing with Stephanie. I mean, it's only normal.”
“If there's a problem, Sophia,” she seemed hesitant. “Then I guess...”
Did she still have the idea that we were dating? I was beyond mortified.
“Oh, no! There's no problem.” I said quickly. For some reason, I didn't want to disappoint her.
“Are you sure?” She pressed her lips into a thin line. “Absolutely.”
“Great.” A voice came from beside me and Alex appeared on my side, sliding his hand across my shoulder. “Let's go, love.”
I was becoming suspicious of his behaviors and what he might have told his parents.
I took in a shaky breath and nodded anyway.
With a smile, he guided me towards the elevators. Once we were inside, he let go of me and took a step away.
Why the hell was he acting like that?
And even worse, why was I acting like I needed him? Oh God! I needed to get some sleep!
We silently walked through the corridors to the room. He punched in the keycard and opened the door, the smell of some expensive air freshener hitting my nose.
I couldn't help but admire the huge room. The first thing I noticed was the small dining table right next to the balcony, then the small kitchen and the living room area.
There was a beautiful marble wall right beside the bed. The bathroom looked so inviting with the jacuzzi and I couldn't wait to relax my muscles with it.
Everything was perfect in the room, except for one thing.
There was no couch! What the hell?
What the hell?!?