Sophia's POV.
“Alex, wait,” I called after him before he could get into the bathroom, and he stopped in his tracks.
He looked puzzled when I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulders, his intense blue eyes piercing through mine.
“What?” He asked.
“I didn't mean to put pressure on you. Especially not on a day like this. It's okay if you don't feel like talking about it yet.” And just like that, his expression softened.
“You don't have to apologize.” He waved his hand dismissively, still looking at me intently. I felt something soften inside me.
Biting my lip, I stepped closer to him and stood up on my tiptoes. He eyed my every move. His eyes grew wide when I cupped his cheeks in my hands but he didn't say anything.
I didn't know where all this courage came from as I stared back into his eyes, our noses almost touching.
I shut my eyes. Don't do this, Sophia!
But I threw caution to the wind and with that, I closed the gap between our lips and I kissed him.
A familiar sweet tingling sensation ran down my spine the moment I brought my lips to his.
I'd never been the person to act first, so what the hell was wrong with me? Just then, I realized something. Alex was immobile. He wasn't responding.
Oh God! What have I done?
My lips froze against his and feeling embarrassed, I pulled back.
His eyes locked with mine, surprise evident on his features. It soon turned into something completely different.
A look I know so well. Longing. “Sophia.” His eyes darkened. I was mortified.
“I–I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—”
I gasped when his strong arms hoisted me up, without so much as a struggle, and pinned my body to his chest.
Heated lips fell on mine and this was even better than earlier. His hand rested on the small of my back and he trailed it down, gently squeezing my waist. I let out a moan before I could stop myself.
I could feel his smile against my lips and he brought his mouth down to my next, biting and sucking. I tilted my head sideways to give him better access.
I shut my eyes, already in the throes of ecstasy. “Alex,” I whispered his name.
To my uttermost dismay, he stopped right then. My feet came back in contact with the ground as I opened my eyes. I was embarrassed to say I felt frustrated.
We were both breathless as we stared back at each other. I was slightly flushed with embarrassment at having broken my own ‘strictly boss-employee relationship’ rule.
It was only a matter of time though. My conscience mocked me.
On the other hand, Alex looked gratified, a small smile playing on his lips.
There was silence as Alex just watched me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“There goes the ‘strictly professional’ rule, correct? Or is kissing your boss considered professional too?” He smirked.
Can the ground just open up and swallow me already?
I kissed Alex. This time, I initiated the kiss. Why did I even do that?
He took a step in my direction and brushed his fingers on my cheek. “You didn't want me to stop?” He whispered.
Once again, his intense blue orbs locked with mine, making me weak in the knees.
I know I've asked this lots of times but please, dear ground, I mean it. Please open up and swallow me.
“I....uh....” I trailed off and lifted a finger to point near his lips. “You have some lipstick marks.”
Blinking, he turned around to stare at his reflection in the mirror.
“That's one hell of an apology, Sophia O'Brien.” He smirked at me, through the mirror. I quickly walked over to the bed in a bid to put as much distance between us.
He cleared his throat. “Are we going back to the party or what?”
Without waiting for my reply, he started walking towards the door.
“Wait a second,” I called out to him. “I don't think I'll be going back to the party. I'm too exhausted. Besides, I need to give you the gift I got you.”
“Now, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, but I believe that kiss was my gift.” He said rather cockily, causing my jaw to drop. “Which means you'd planned it—”
“I have your gift right here!” I cut him off before he could finish his embarrassing statement as I got out a wrapped box from the closet and handed it to him.
“Happy birthday.”
He seemed to be examining the box for a few seconds as if trying to guess what I could've gotten him and then finally unwrapping it, his eyes lighting up at the revelation.
“A watch. This is amazing. Thank you, Sophia.”
Steph and I ran out of ideas on what to get him so I settled on a watch while we continued shopping for ourselves. Guilty.
But now, I was having second thoughts about my decision. He could buy many expensive ones and here I was, gifting him a common model on his birthday.
“You're well—” I stopped abruptly when he took off his watch and fastened the one I had gifted him.
“How does it look?” He asked with such childlike innocence and I couldn't help but smile, glad that he was out of the angry mood I put him in.
Honestly, the watch wasn't as good compared to his old one but he was Alexander Hayes and he could pull off anything.
“Um..good. But what are you doing?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“The other one looked better with your tuxedo.”
“Nonsense. I love this color more.” He waved his hand dismissively. “But they're both black.” I deadpanned.
“What's this? It's my gift, so I can decide when and where to wear it.” He reiterated. I shook my head at him, smiling.
“Sophia?” He called. I looked up at him.
“I understand that you're exhausted but I still need you to accompany me to the party. I just can't leave my guests alone.”
I was about to grumble something, really not in the mood to see Steve or Harvey anytime soon, when he continued.
“Please? Just for a little while.”
Now how the hell do I say no to that face?
“Sure.” I reluctantly agreed.
But then I noticed something.
“you haven't cleaned the lipstick marks yet.” I pointed out.
“Because I don't intend to.” He shrugged.
My jaw dropped. “What?!”
“With your lipstick smudged like that, and seeing marks on my face, some people will learn to stay the hell away from you.” He frowned slightly.
Here he was again, treating me like I belonged to him.
I wanted to say something but didn't want to risk fighting with him again so I quietly walked to the bathroom, fixed my lipstick, and came back out.
I was surprised to see him wiping his face with a tissue.
“Ready?” He asked.
“Yeah.”
Taking my hand in his, he walked us back to the grand hall. As we neared the VIP entrance, Alex leaned in closer to whisper in my ear.
“Just smile at the cameras.”
What?
Has he forgotten what happened with the media before? He should be letting go of me and not holding me tighter, whispering that I should smile at the cameras!
“I know what you're thinking but we might as well keep making it look real for my parent's sake.” He looked at me, his eyes silently pleading.
I was about to say something when there was a camera flash. Looking ahead, I realized that we were already surrounded by paparazzi.
Fixing a smile on my face, I walked beside Alex and finally sighed in relief when we were away from them.
“Alex.” A voice called and we both turned around.
I immediately recognized the person. It was Robert Price. His uncle.
A shiver ran down my spine when he approached us. The same fear I felt that day when Alex took me cake tasting and we ran into him.
He didn't recognize me back then but it was only a matter of time. I just knew it. I took in a shaky breath and swallowed the lump forming in my throat.
He leaped forward to hug his nephew and I slowly drifted away from them, avoiding a second introduction.
“Sophia.”
I jumped at the sound of my name. Why am I too jumpy today?
“Andrea. Hi,” I breathed.
“Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
I let out a flustered chuckle. “N–no, I'm just a little tired.”
“Yeah, I know. I'm exhausted too. So where's Stephanie?”
“Oh. She retired for the night already.” I replied.
“I can feel a headache coming on. Can you please tell Alex I left? Don't rush it though, I don't want him to worry.”
“Sure.” She frowned. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” I nodded. “I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” She nodded.
I quickly made my way towards the exit, really glad to have snuck past Alex.
Once I was back in the room and had changed into my pajamas, I just lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
I didn't know when I fell asleep.