Sophia’s POV.
I've never denied that he was bad for eyes. It was almost like looking at him was a sin. He stood there with no pants, no shirt, just his boxers.
He had well-defined six-packs. His muscles flexed as he crossed his arms over his chest and that's when I realized that I was staring at him or rather ogling him.
It took a lot of restraint not to jump on him but I had to save my self-respect and professionalism.
I certainly didn't want to be attracted to him, not after everything he'd done to me and how rude he was but my body seemed to be drawn to him against my will.
My cheeks flushed red in embarrassment and I quickly looked down, staring at my feet. He walked towards me and stopped right in front of me.
“Have you completed the work?” I felt like slapping off the rudeness from his voice but instead, I shook my head sideways indicating a ‘no’.
“You better complete the work. I need those papers first thing Monday morning”.
Before he could say anything more, I left the kitchen and walked to the room. I could feel the tears already gathering at the back of my eyes.
I collected all the papers and decided to complete the presentation at home.
After slipping the heels on, I walked out of the apartment not caring about my boss.
I probably looked like a hooker, walking along the corridors of this posh building wearing a red dress. My hair was frizzy and my makeup was smudged.
I'm going to kill Stephanie for dragging me to that stupid club! I thought furiously.
*****
An hour later.
“You look like a mess!” Steph exclaimed immediately after I got into our apartment.
“It's all your fault,” I yelled.
“Woo! Easy, mama. How's it my fault?” Steph asked curiously.
“If you hadn't insisted I go to the club with you, then I wouldn't have met Mr Hayes and I'd still be in one piece!” I yelled again.
She looked at me weirdly and then at my dress, indicating that I was in one piece.
“Oh please, don't give me that look. You know what I'm talking about.” I blurted out in frustration as I slouched down on the couch.
“I was a bit worried about you when I got your text. What happened?” Stephanie asked.
Shaking my head I said “The only thing you need to know is that my boss is such an asshole! Imagine making me work on weekends.”
I was still not confident about sharing all the details with her and I was feeling guilty about having to hide things from her.
“He should cut you some slack, seeing as you landed in the hospital because of him! What a douche.”
"Tell me about it!" I flared. “I just need to get some much-needed sleep,” I said, trudging off to my bedroom.
***
It was Monday morning and I was already dreading my day at the office. I sat at the back of a taxi, parked in front of Hayes Industries.
I took a deep breath and got out of the car. I was nervous to face Mr Hayes after the encounter I had with him over the weekend. His lips on mine flashed through my mind and an embarrassing blush instantly formed on my cheeks. His touch was like fire and just the thought of it was burning me in a way I was beginning to get familiar with.
Soon, I was standing outside Mr Hayes's office and my nerves were all over the place. I knocked on his door and heard him say ‘Come in’. I turned the doorknob and entered his office.
I didn't dare to look at him so I just kept my eyes down. He was my boss at the end of the day and maybe I did go a little overboard with biting his lip but in my defense, he was being a complete douche.
I put the files on his table and stood across the desk silently.
“Sit.” His voice was demanding as always. I obeyed his order silently. I kept fidgeting with my fingers. While he was going through the files, I crossed my fingers and hoped that my work would satisfy him.
“Get me coffee,” he ordered.
Not even praise for a job well done or anything! At least, this time, he didn't say anything rude or mean. Just the first day of the week and I was beginning to feel tired.
***
Alex's POV.
Flipping through the files made me realize how Sophia was proving to be a dedicated employee. She was indeed hardworking and dedicated.
Frankly, I had not expected her to do such a good job organizing these files because of my behavior towards her over the weekend.
I knew I was being unnecessarily rude but I was hurt at the abrupt way she cut me off at my place. If I wasn't so angry, I would have laughed over it.
Biting me!
My parents had just notified me to join them in Athens, which is just as right because I was glad at the opportunity to be away from her for a couple of days.
I needed a few days away to stop yearning for her.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and I knew she was back with my coffee.
She strolled in, coffee in hand which she placed beside me on the table. I had to drag my eyes away from ogling her body.
“Ms. O'Brien, I need you to tell Charles, my pilot, to prepare for the flight to Athens. I'll be leaving later tonight."
“Is there an emergency meeting going on there?” She spoke slowly, almost scared and I felt instantly guilty.
“No. I'm only going to meet my parents. They're there for vacation and they've asked me to come join them.”
“Ohh. Okay. So nothing work-related?” she asked again.
“No. I'll be back by the weekend. Meanwhile, Steve would be around. Just update him on anything. Also, the meeting with Mr Shein is postponed. Please inform him.” I added.
“Sure.” She replied. “Enjoy your time with your famil,y sir,” she added.
Was that a hint of sadness I detected?
~~~
I reached Athens safely. I was just driving down to my parents' vacation villa. They would be staying for another two weeks. Andrea was still in New York because she had exams in school.
I reached the villa, it was modern in its architecture. I've always enjoyed being here ever since I was a kid looking forward to our annual family trip.
“Hi, mom.” I hugged her from behind as she was sitting on the lawn with my dad beside her. “Alex! You're here, my boy.” She stood up, engulfing me in a tight hug.
“Yes Mom, I told you when I boarded the plane,” I said, almost breathlessly because of her tight hug.
“I know, but I am meeting you after a long time. I can't believe you're here.” she retorted.
My dad cracked his throat just then. “There's someone whom you call ‘dad’ sitting right here and I'm pretty sure he's not invisible,” he said amusingly.
“Dad! How can I forget you?” I chuckled and hugged him.
“How was your flight?”
“Good as usual,” I replied.
I noticed the suspicious look that passed between my mum and dad so I asked, while sipping coffee.
“Mom? I hope everything's alright. What was so urgent?”
“About that. I called you here so you can patch things up with Emily. You never actually told us why you called off the engagement. But it's been almost five years now and I'm sure you've gotten over whatever it is.
How about we arrange dinner with her tonight?.” My mum gradually dropped the bomb.