Sophia's POV.
"Are you jealous, Ms O'Brien?"
I gritted my teeth in annoyance. “Are you fucking blind?”
His eyes narrowed for a moment.
“Can you not see what you've been putting me through?”
“What have I been putting you through? Remind me again which one of us was busy bonding with Colin alone in their apartment.”
“Oh my God!” I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “That's the point, Alex. You jumped to that conclusion without giving me a chance to explain. But you know what? I don't care what you think of me anymore.
Do you want to believe that I have a thing going on with Colin? Fine. You're right. He was in my apartment that day and we were doing something you should be mad about.”
The smirk on his face was immediately replaced by a deep, dangerous scowl. “What?”
“Right.” I snapped. “I have feelings for—”
“Don't.” His jaw clenched in anger.
“Why not? I'm just stating what you already believe.”
“Sophia.” He took a dangerous step in my direction, stopping only when there was barely an inch left between us.
“You don't mean that.” He muttered, locking his piercing blue eyes with mine, his tone practically begging me to agree with him.
I took in a shaky breath, gazing at his lips. It took everything in me to not go on my tiptoes and kiss him senseless.
“You know that I don't,” I whispered almost inaudibly, wondering if he even heard me. But the look of relief on his face made me certain he did.
“Alex,” I called softly. “My feelings for you didn't change one bit. I've gotten so used to your company and I feel like that's all you needed all along.
To have me wrapped around your little finger, right before you decide to— dump me.” My voice was shaky when I muttered that word and a tear rolled down my cheek.
Alex wiped it away with his thumb, frowning.
“Now I think maybe my gut feeling was right. Maybe you feel nothing for me. Even if you once did, it's all gone now. I was just another girl Alexander Hayes had bagged. Even Emily warned me.”
To my utmost surprise, he let out a laugh at that and placed his pains on my cheeks.
“I don't want to ever hear that name from your pretty lips. I can't believe you listen to whatever that bitch has to say. Do you think so low of me?”
“Yes. You're laughing at me.”
“I'm not laughing at you. I'm just— never mind.” He chuckled.
I frowned. He let out a barely audible breath and just gazed into my eyes.
“Lately, my actions may have given away that I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore but don't you ever think that I was playing you. Ever! I would never play the girl that crashed her way into my life.”
I bit down on my lip and gave a small nod, feeling relieved all of a sudden. We grew silent, his eyes on me the entire time.
“I'm tired,” I said after almost an eternity. “Can you please take me home?”
“Okay.” Taking my hand, he slowly directed me out of the restaurant. My steps were slow and wobbly and he carried me to the car as I couldn't walk anymore.
Soon, I was in the backseat of his car. My eyes were shutting and I remember placing my head on his chest before sleep took over.
***
Oh God! What was wrong with my head?
I buried my face in the pillow and tossed it over on the soft mattress, tightening around myself what felt like a very soft quilt.
Wait, my blanket wasn't that soft. I took in a deep breath and immediately recognized the alluring scent. Alex! My eyes flew open.
Sure enough, the room with white and black interior, expensive rare stuff, curtains and paintings, bigger than my whole apartment and screaming luxury was all too familiar to me.
I was in Alex's room. What the hell happened?
I looked down at the gown I was wearing, slowly recalling the events of last night.
Oh no! I got drunk and ended up saying all that stuff to Alex. Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!
I was way too embarrassed to face him now. Why did he bring me to his place?
I remembered telling him to take me home. Swallowing my anxiety, I scrambled out of the bed. I spotted my heels placed neatly in a corner. I decided to wash my face in the bathroom before going out to see him.
I went back out and grabbed my purse from the nightstand and also put on my heels. Slowly making my way out of his room, I felt a sense of dejávu.
“Alex,” I called while going downstairs, admiring the beautiful piece of art that was his house.
I came across the living room and looked around for him.
“Good morning.”
I jumped at the voice and turned around to find a woman who seemed to be in her late forties, standing there with a smile.
“I'm sorry to scare you, Ms O'Brien.”
“Oh no. It's fine. Good morning to you too.....” I trailed off.
“I'm Karen Scott, Mr Hayes's housekeeper.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms Scott.”
“Please dear, call me Karen. And what can I get you for breakfast?”
“Thanks but I'm not hungry right now. Can you please tell me where Alex is?”
“Mr Hayes left for Paris this morning.”
He didn't even have the courtesy to let me know he was leaving. Why the fuck did he then bring me to his place? I scowled when I remembered that Emma was going to be there too.
I should be the one with him in Paris. Or wasn't I still his secretary? “Um, I should get going now,” I said.
“Mr Hayes instructed me to not let you go without having breakfast. This way please.” She motioned towards the dining room.
“I'm not hungry.” I was already feeling the uncomfortable pangs of hunger but I was too upset at Alex to want to eat his food, so I lied.
“He said you would say that. And I know you must be famished after that hangover. Come on.” I smiled. I liked her already.
“Alright.” I nodded as I followed her into the dining room.
“I've already prepared croissants and a cheese omelet. If you have another preference, just let me know.”
“This is good. Thank you.” My stomach was already rumbling at the intoxicating aroma coming from the table and I looked down in embarrassment when Karen gave me a knowing smile.
I started having breakfast and she poured me a glass of juice before going back somewhere in the house. I quickly devoured the food.
Once I was done, I got up and went to the kitchen to place my plate in the sink. After washing my plate, I started walking out when Karen came into the kitchen.
“You didn't have to do that. We have people for that.” She announced.
“Do what? Wash my plate? Oh c'mon.” I laughed.
“Thank you for the delicious breakfast. I should get going now. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was nice to meet you too, Ms O'Brien.” She said, smiling. “Oh please call me Sophia.”
I waved goodbye and was near the elevator when Josh, Alex's driver, stepped out of it.
“Ms O'Brien.” He greeted me.
“Josh.” I smiled back at him. “I've told you to call me Sophia.”
“Sophia.” He nodded. “I'll be driving you back to your apartment.”
“What? Really? You don't have to. I'll be fine.”
“Mr Hayes has instructed me to.”
“Of course.” I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, I'll be fine.” He shook his head.
Did he train his staff to be stubborn like him? “Fine.” I sighed.
During the ride back, I checked my phone for messages. There wasn't any from Alex. Of course, why would he text me in the company of his precious Emma?
I remembered our conversation from last night and in no part did Alex hint about me being wrong about him and Emma.
I felt my heart ache with that thought. Out of courtesy though, I decided to thank him over text.
Thank you for last night. I wasn't expecting a response from him.
“We're here,” Josh announced.
Blinking, I looked outside at the apartment complex. “Thank you.”
He nodded and I got out of the car. A text popped up on my phone. I looked down in excitement thinking it was from Alex, but it was from Stephanie.
'Text me when you get back home, love. I had to leave for something. Will be back soon. P.S. I need all the juicy details.'
I shook my head, laughing down at my phone. Did she think something happened between me and Alex?
I replied.
I'm here. See you soon. P.S. There are no juicy details.
I went into the apartment, took a long shower, and flopped down on my bed.
Paris. I couldn't help but think of Alex enjoying his time there with Emma. She had arranged for a college reunion, which meant a party.
Just forget about Alex already! I almost started dozing off but the ringing of my phone startled me. My mum. “Hey, Mum,” I said.
“Sophia, how are you?”
“I'm good. How are you?”
“I'm fine, my darling. Now tell me, what day are you coming home? Today or tomorrow?”
“Who told you I'm coming home?" I asked in confusion.
“It's my birthday this Sunday.” Her voice was suddenly low.
My jaw dropped. How could I forget? I was never one to be good with dates.
“Don't tell me you forgot.”
“Of course, I didn't,” I said, laughing nervously.
“Good. So you better show up soon. Your cousin, Mia, is here.”
I thought for a moment. “Alright, mum.”
I needed to go shopping for gifts and some other stuff I might need. However, the weekend could serve as the perfect distraction from Alex. Maybe being with family is going to help me forget that he's going to be in Paris with Emma for the entire week.
“One more thing.” My mum said. “Bring your boyfriend along.”