Alex's POV.
I had a fleeting thought that maybe this Stephanie girl was lying and Sophia was in that apartment listening to everything going on here.
I wouldn't put it past her considering how erratic her behavior was.
I contemplated knocking again but thought better of it. Stephanie was one crazy bitch and I didn't want to deal with her again.
My only option now was to wait till tomorrow in hopes that she'd be bright and early at the office tomorrow.
I glanced down at my watch and realized that it was almost 6 pm.
I went down to the parking lot and got into my car. I had a sudden urge for some coffee and I searched on the internet for the nearest coffee shop, then started driving towards it.
After driving for about five minutes, I was standing in front of a small coffee shop.
Its modern interior was displayed through the huge glass windows.
I came out of the car and proceeded to the entrance of the coffee shop.
The moment I stepped in, my eyes widened in surprise when I saw her.
***
Sophia's POV.
My phone buzzed with a text as I sipped my coffee and I checked to see Trent's name.
I couldn't believe I had forgotten about our date!
Oh, silly me.
I sent him a quick text apologizing for not being home at the moment and asked if he'd like to meet me at the coffee shop down the road instead. I wasn't really in the mood for any fancy Mexican food anymore.
I was surprised at how quickly he arrived.
“Hey beautiful, you're not just a secretary now since we're no longer in the office.” He joked as he got to my table.
I got up to give him a side hug and managed to put on a weak smile. He caught on to it though.
“Is something wrong? I noticed you left the office pretty early today.” He asked with a concerned expression on his face.
“Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine.” This time, I managed to pull off a convincing smile.
No point in making this conversation any awkward by stating that I'm beginning to develop feelings for our boss.
“So..” he began, looking around. “A coffee shop? Compared to delicious Mexican food?”
I laughed out loud, genuinely this time. It was so easy to be around Trent, unlike someone else.
“I admit I forgot about our date. I came down here for some coffee before I got your text telling me you were outside my apartment building.” I closed my eyes in embarrassment and laughed.
“Now I know that something is wrong! For how can you even forget about Mexican food?” He joked.
We both cracked up in laughter but before I could say anything, I heard a familiar deep voice call my name.
“Ms O'Brien.”
This was becoming a habit!
***
Alex's POV.
She was sitting across from a guy, laughing wholeheartedly.
I couldn't see the man's face from where I was standing but the jealousy and anger I felt was so strong I bent over a bit from the force of it.
Before I could contemplate what I was doing, I found myself walking toward the duo. “Ms O'Brien,” I called.
She looked up at me and the smile vanished from her face. I hated that the spark in her eyes died immediately after she laid them on me. I wanted to be the one to make her crack with laughter.
“Mr Hayes.” Trent quickly stood up in shock.
I would have fired him right then and there if he wasn't one of my most loyal employees. Yes, I'm that petty!
“What are you doing here?” He asked me but the death glare I gave him shut him up real quick.
“M—maybe I— I shou—should go.” He stuttered looking in Sophia's direction.
Yeah, you definitely should! Before I change my mind and have you fired.
I noticed the pleading look on Sophia's face like she didn't want him to go so as not to be alone with me.
“Go” I managed to get out through gritted teeth.
Trent wasted no time scurrying away towards the exit.
I sat down on the seat he just vacated.
“I believe we're yet to discuss the sales files. Since you gracefully ghosted me.”
Without even a glance at me, she abruptly stood up, grabbed her bag and walked out of the coffee shop. I immediately followed after her.
“Sophia” I called but she just kept on walking.
My temper flares when anyone ignores me like that and before I could think, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her in my direction.
Her body was pressed up against mine and her palms were lying flat on my chest.
She was breathless from the sudden movement as she stared up at me with wide eyes. Then I saw it. The hurt and fear in her eyes.
I immediately let go of her, cursing myself for losing my temper. “Why did you leave, Sophia?” I frowned.
“I was done with my coffee.” She said in a shaky voice.
I sighed. “I meant earlier. At the restaurant.”
Something flashed across her eyes—anger, or maybe jealousy.
“I just didn't want to be a nuisance to you and your girl—” she stopped abruptly and cleared her throat. “Your girlfriend.”
“But to disappear like that?” I scowled “I was worried about you. I even stopped by your apartment to check what the problem was. Some crazy best friend you have there.” I smiled despite the serious situation.
Her eyes shot up at me in shock.
“W—what did—did she tell you?” she stuttered, nervously avoiding my gaze.
“I'm not here to talk about your friend. Look, I didn't mean for any of that to happen. Everything Cassandra said was total bullshit. And she's not my girlfriend.”
“It's okay. You don't have to explain yourself. You're my boss and I get that.” She gave a slight nod.
“No,” I spoke in a whisper and took a step in her direction. “That's not—” “I'm tired,” she said, cutting me off. “I just want to go home and sleep.”
“Okay. Get in, let me drive you.”
“No, you won't. It's a short walk, I'll walk.”
I blinked at her.
“Go home, Mr Hayes.” She said with a straight face. I took another step in her direction.
“I need to be sure you're okay.” please, I pleaded.
She lifted her face, locking her deep brown eyes with mine. Her chest heaved up to suck in a deep breath.
My gaze fell on her lips.
Don't do it, Alex. It does not profess—
Fuck it!
I leaned forward and she shot her eyes, then ever so gently, my lips brushed against hers.
I lifted my hands to her face to pull her closer but my growing pleasure was snatched away when she quickly stepped back.
“You should go,” she muttered.
With that, she turned around and walked away. Only this time, I didn't go after her.