Chapter 26
Sophia
After the disastrous dinner date with Kieran, I genuinely believed that life would get back to the routine we had already established: we would share breakfast in the morning, and ride to Kieran’s company, where we’d both be busy with our own work until it was time to go home. Actually, I was hoping for it as it would give me chance to cool down my ebullient senses.
But I was wrong.
After that night, Kieran was never the same again.
And I couldn’t figure out whether I’d prefer the old Kieran back.
Because the new one was driving me crazy even more.
He seemed to take every opportunity to touch me, being that just a brush of his hand in passing by or moving an escaped strand of my hair. It made me aware of him and his every move, which only added to the feeling of pleasant uneasiness that had me on edge constantly.
But he didn’t even try to kiss me again, and I had to admit to myself that I wanted him to. I craved to feel his lips against mine, and even thinking about it would make a swarm of butterflies in my belly go wild, and honestly, I had no idea how long I would be able to hold myself back from making a move to indulge my need for him.
It was both funny and ironic how I came to think about Kieran, and how his role in my life changed so drastically. From the person I hated the most, a person I despised for more than one reason, he became someone I wanted in a way I shouldn’t have.
Kieran was playing this new game of seduction that worked awfully well. Suddenly, I caught myself thinking about him all the time; when I was making breakfast, showering, dressing, working, or handling the damn copy machine… my ‘husband’ was all I could think about. He crept his way into my mind, crawled into my soul, and although I still couldn’t say I felt something more than pure physical attraction for him, I wasn’t sure if I could stop myself from sliding right into the pit of infatuation.
“Ready, love?” My head snapped towards the door of my office at the sound of Kiran’s teasing voice. Recently, he started calling me ‘love’ every time he talked to me, and it drove me absolutely nuts.
“Yes,” I said, gathering my notebook and purse before following him to the elevator.
We were on our way to meet potential business partners from Korea for lunch, and Kieran was nervous. I didn’t understand why, though. He was an exceptional businessman who never lost a deal, based on what I had the opportunity to observe over the last month or so as his assistant; it was as if he had some supernatural ability to hypnotize his interlocutors into accepting everything he served them with.
His nervousness made me uneasy, and I was on the brink of taking him by the hand and offering my support, but I stopped myself on time, realizing how stupid I would look. Comforting Kieran King? Right.
We arrived at the restaurant earlier, and the hostess showed us the way to the table Clara had reserved previously. Soon after we took our places, a couple of Korean men and two women joined us, and I had no more chance to puzzle over the topic that occupied my every waking thought.
After the usual pleasantries were exchanged, Kieran introduced me. “This lovely lady here is my wife.” He proclaimed, leaving me completely speechless. It was the first time he did it so openly. Even though all the employees at the company were familiar with my status and acted accordingly, at every meeting I attended, I was just Sophia. What the hell had gotten into him?
“Oh! We weren’t aware you were married, Mr. King.” Deep red flushed my cheeks under their scrutinizing gazes, and I hated him for putting me in the spotlight.
“It is a new status, indeed.”
“Then congratulations are in order.” I forced a smile as I took my seat. “I can see you are unlikely to separate from your wife.”
“What can I say?” Kieran chuckled. “I am completely dependent on her.” He turned around and bore his eyes into mine, and I had a hard time resisting the call in them. He was bloody serious!
His statement made the Korean party smile politely before lunch and the meeting went on its own course. Though it took me a few moments to recover from the shock and focus on doing my job.
As I thought earlier, Kieran had nothing to be nervous about. His negotiating skills were as sharp as ever, and they were literally eating out of his hand. He ordered champagne to celebrate the newly established deal, to the apparent approval of the guests, while I pretended to enjoy it.
Kieran’s new partners left with the promise of their representative coming to the head office tomorrow for the contract signing, and I could finally breathe again. I couldn’t explain why I was so tense throughout the meeting, but as soon as I saw their backs, I relaxed.
“Why did you do that?” I asked, and Kieran looked me in the eye, confused. “Introduced me as your wife?” I snarled.
“It’s the truth I have no intention of hiding it.”
“It’s been almost 2 months since you threatened me into signing that paper. Why now?”
“I had my reasons.” Kieran shrugged before he rose and offered his hand.
I glanced around the room and, noticing too many prying eyes directed towards us, I reluctantly accepted it. One could never be sure who was watching and what could become tomorrow’s best-selling news. A scandal that would put an unnecessary spotlight over my head; it was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.
Kieran’s phone pinged on the way back to the office, and the screen flashed with a new message indicator. Instinctively, I glanced towards it. Even though he was driving, Kieran grabbed it quickly, and I would have ignored it if I hadn’t noticed his obvious displeasure upon reading the text.
“Get out!” He all but growled, scaring me like never before, not even when I believed I was going to die by his hand.
Again, Kieran introduced me to a new side of his anger, and I didn’t know how to handle it. Shivering from both shock and fear, I dashed out of the car and hurried to get as far away from him as possible. However, I never got a chance to act on my instincts because the tires of Kieran’s car screeched as he sped off down the street, leaving a trail of smoke behind.
What the hell was that? What could it have been that made him go mad like that? He was going to be the death of me, I could swear! He and his mood swings! They were so rapid that I couldn’t keep up.
I prayed our siblings were alive and well, and that what happened had nothing to do with them. With everything else, I could live.
On the way up to the 21st floor, I couldn’t help but feel my heart clench in fear for Kieran. Was he OK? What was he doing? Where was he going? Could I have helped him? Surely, I wouldn’t deny being there for him if he had asked.
Catching myself concerned for Kieran took me by surprise. I was torn about him, yes. I hated him, and I was immeasurably attracted to him at the same time. But worrying about him? I didn’t expect that from myself.
The elevator door slid to the side, and I stepped into the main hall. The first things I noticed were Clara’s absence and a red-haired woman standing in front of her post.
“Can I help you?” I asked politely, gaining the newcomer’s attention, and she turned around.
Shiny emeralds held my gaze as the fiery red lips pulled up to reveal perfectly white teeth, though her smile never reached her eyes.
“Hi. Are you new here? I’ve never seen you before.” I didn’t even have the chance to answer her question when she continued: “Is Kieran here?”
So, except for acting like she owned the place, she called my husband by his first name.
Anger began to rise in my throat, and a wish to throw her outside through the nearest window overwhelmed me.
I didn’t like her. I didn’t like her at all. There was this thick aura of animosity surrounding one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. My instinct was telling me she meant no good coming here.
“Actually, he’s out, and I don’t know when he will be back.” I did my best to sound polite.
“What kind of secretary are you?” she snapped at me, and I backed off in surprise.
What in the world? Who gave her the right…?
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll wait for him in his office. It’s of the utmost urgency that I see him today. Bring me tea.” The Redhead ordered and stomped off to the main office, anger echoing from every step her perfect stiletto shoes made against the floor.
Swallowing an urge to punch her in the face, wondering where all that aggression came from, I headed to the small kitchen to prepare the tea for the lady.