Sophia's POV.
Standing in front of me was Josh, Alex's driver.
“Josh? What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Mr Hayes asked me to stay back and chauffeur you whenever you're ready to leave,” he replied almost immediately.
“Stay back? Have you been around here all this time?” I blinked.
“Yes. I've been staying at a nearby hotel. I'm not just his driver. I'm also Mr Hayes’ bodyguard so I always need to be nearby.”
“Ohh. I didn't know that. Anyways, you can come in. I'll fix you a cup of coffee while I gather my stuff. I'd like to leave soon.”
“No thanks, Ms O'Brien. I'll be in the car. Whenever you're ready to go.”
“Okay then, just give me a few minutes.”
With a nod, he walked back to the car.
I turned around to find my mum and Mia staring at me in confusion.
“Who's that scary guy, Soph? Should I get my pepper spray?” Mia asked, with fear written all over her face.
I chuckled.
“He's not scary at all. He's a very nice guy. He's Alex's chauffeur/bodyguard. He's here to pick me up.”
“I gotta leave right now, don't wanna keep him waiting,” I said. Mia's face dropped.
I'm going to miss you guys so much.” I gave them both a big hug and finally walked outside, waving them goodbye.
I drifted off to sleep during the whole ride and when I opened my eyes, I realized that we were just a turn away from the apartment complex.
“Thank you, Josh,” I said as the car came to a stop.
He nodded with a smile as I got out of the car with my bag. With a sigh, I walked over to the apartment. Welcome back to the busy life.
When I walked inside the apartment, I noticed a sticky note on the door of the refrigerator.
‘Call me when you get home to tell me the deets okay? You little ass?’ Love you Steph *kisses*– said the note.
I smiled as I read the note.
My Steph. I scoffed as I shook my head.
I headed to the sitting room. I threw myself on the sofa, clutched my phone, and dialed my best friend's number. I miss her so much.
It took her some seconds to answer and I finally heard her cheerful tone.
“Hey Soph!!!” Once Stephanie started her sentence, I pulled my phone a little far from my ear and chuckled.
“Do you even need to scream?” I heard Stephanie laugh loudly on the other end. She sounds really happy.
“I guess you're with Harvey?” I asked her.
She giggled. “Yup!”
Truth be said, my mood was groomed even more when she mentioned that she was with Harvey.
I disliked him.
Alex's actions when it came to him... I could tell something was wrong.
Even Steve's reaction towards this particular subject gave it all away. Yes, something was very wrong.
And yet, no one would budge. No one would tell me anything. Ugh.
“Are you coming home today?” I asked her.
“No, Soph,” Stephanie said in a sorry tone. “I'll be home tomorrow though. So how was your Mum's birthday?” She jumped into another topic.
“It was great,” I told her. “You should've been there.” I pouted, even knowing she wouldn't be able to see me.
“I'm sorry babe. But I'm sure you didn't miss me at all because Alex was there.” She giggled. “How was he?”
Uneasiness made its way to my heart as I remembered the words Alex told me. “Uh....N-normal.” I lied.
She was silent for a minute.
“Sophia.” Her voice finally came and she pronounced my first name seriously. “Is something wrong?”
“No!” I chuckled nervously.
“Stop lying, okay? I hate that.” Steph's voice rang through my head and I suddenly felt so vulnerable again. My tears ran down my face.
I told her everything that happened between me and Alex and how I felt it was my fault for the sudden way he left. I really felt bad.
“You stupid idiot! And you intended to lie to me? I'm coming home.” She exclaimed. I gasped.
“No! Keep enjoying yourself, Stephanie. I swear I'm fine.”
“I said I'm coming home.” Her voice sounded almost angry.
“And I said no! I'll see you tomorrow. Okay, baby?” I argued. “Sophia, please listen—”
“When you get home, I'd probably be asleep. So what's the point? I'll talk to you when you get back tomorrow.”
She seemed to listen to reason as she sighed.
“Alright, love. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Steph.”
***
Alex had given me the week off when he told my mum that I could resume work the next Monday.
I was glad because I still couldn't figure out how to face him or what to say to him. However, I guess I needed to start figuring that out because I'd be resuming work the next day. He didn't call nor leave even a message and I wondered what was up with him.
Well, I did run away from him. I sighed.
Stephanie has urged me to reach out to him and tell him how I feel too as the ball was technically in my court but I wasn't having any of that. Maybe I was just too scared.
I was sitting in the living room scrolling through my phone when Steph ran towards me with a disapproving frown on her face.
“Um...what the hell?” I didn't pay her much attention as she was fond of making weird faces while looking at stuff on the internet.
“Soph, have you spoken to Alex yet?”
My heart suddenly picked up its pace. “No. Why?”
“What does this bitch want then?” She flashed her phone at me.