Chapter 166
Sophia's POV:
A few days later, I called Maya Bennett first thing in the morning. I needed to see her.
"I’m not going," Maya said immediately. Her voice was sharp.
"You’re so mean!" I complained, pacing around my bedroom. "Why are you so grumpy?"
"Sophia, are you annoying on purpose?" Maya sighed loudly. "What is wrong with you?"
"I want to meet up," I insisted.
"Say whatever you need to say over the phone," she said. "We aren't friends. Meeting up is just awkward."
I didn't push it. She was right, in a way. I sat down on the edge of my bed. "Julian still isn't talking to me. What do I do?"
"How should I know?" Maya sounded bored.
"You used to be his assistant," I argued. "You know him better than anyone."
"I know him," Maya said. "He is a player. He loves the chase. He flirts with everyone and commits to no one. That is who he is."
"That was the old Julian," I said quickly. "He is different now. Since we got engaged, there hasn't been another woman. I believe he has changed. He is going to be a good husband."
There was a pause. "You two will get married eventually," Maya said. "Julian Garrison will be your husband no matter what. Why are you stressing about this?"
"Maya, I trusted you!" I felt tears prick my eyes. "You don't understand me at all. I don't want a marriage without feelings. I want Julian to love me."
Maya was silent for a while. "Sophia," she said finally, her tone softer. "I don't want a merger. I don't want a cold marriage. I want him to actually love me."
Maya was silent for a while. "Sophia," she said finally, her tone dropping its sharp edge. "If Julian can't see your heart, then he's blind."
I rested my chin on my hand, staring at the wall. "I just don't know when he'll actually let me in. I don't know when he'll love me back."
"Persistence pays off," Maya said simply. "Good luck."
She hung up.
I stared at my phone. Persistence. Okay. I could do persistence.
I drove straight to Garrison Industries.
When I reached the executive floor, Sarah, the secretary, looked up. She smiled when she saw me. "Miss Morgan."
"Hi, Sarah." I handed her a coffee I had bought on the way. "This is for you. And I got one for Mark, too."
Sarah looked surprised. She took the drink. "Thank you, Miss Morgan! That is very kind. Wait here a second. I will go tell Mr. Garrison you are here."
"Thanks, Sarah."
She went into the office. A moment later, she came back out. "He says you can go in."
My heart jumped. He actually wanted to see me? I pushed the door open cheerfully.
"Julian!"
Julian was sitting at his desk. He was signing a stack of documents. He didn't look up right away. "What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, walking closer. "I just wanted to come see you."
He finally lifted his eyes. His gaze was cool. "You aren't going out with Carter today?"
I froze. Carter was my friend from college. I had been using him to make Julian jealous.
"Julian, there is nothing going on with Carter," I explained quickly.
I had used Carter as a prop. I wanted Julian to be jealous. But now that he was asking, I felt a spike of fear. I didn't want him to misunderstand.
Julian put down his pen. He leaned back in his chair. "I heard you two are very close. You have been together a lot lately. People say Carter is chasing you. If you want to break off the engagement, Sophia, I am fine with that."
My blood ran cold. He sounded so indifferent. He was offering me an out.
"No!" I waved my hands frantically. "I don't want to break the engagement! Carter and I are just friends. He isn't chasing me. Julian, please believe me. There is nothing happening!"
Julian just looked at me. He didn't say anything.
I started to panic. His eyes were so dark. Was he really going to dump me? No. Absolutely not. I couldn't let that happen.
"It was Maya!" I blurted out. "It was all Maya's idea!"
Julian’s expression changed instantly. "What?"
"I asked her for advice," I confessed. "She told me to find a man to make you jealous. That is the only reason I called Carter. I was just acting. I don't like him. I won't break the engagement."
"Maya?" Julian repeated. His voice was low.
"Yes," I nodded. "She gave me the idea."
Julian’s face looked strange. A shadow crossed his eyes.
"Julian," I said, stepping closer. "I said all that, and you only heard Maya's name. Do you still like her?"
He frowned. "Don't talk nonsense."
"It doesn't matter if you like her," I said, feeling bold. "She is Adam Sterling's wife now. She is a married woman. You have no chance with her."
Julian’s jaw tightened. "Since when are you and Maya so close?"
"I realized your love is one-sided," I said. "Maya loves Adam. She doesn't want you. So I don't have to hate her anymore."
Julian rubbed his temples. "Sophia, is your brain missing a piece? Why do you keep bringing that up?"
"If I don't bring it up, you won't stop thinking about her!" I said stubbornly. "I am going to keep saying it."
I knew the truth. He treated Maya like some precious memory. He put her on a pedestal. I needed to smash that pedestal.
Julian took a deep breath. He looked angry. "Get out."
"No." I walked over to the black leather sofa and sat down. "I’m not leaving."
It was hard enough to get into his office. I wasn't going to leave just because he was grumpy.
"You work," I said. "I won't disturb you. When you are done, we can go eat dinner."
Julian glared at me for a few seconds. Then he ignored me. He looked back at his documents and started working again.
I rested my chin on my hand and watched him. A man who is focused on work is really handsome.
Suddenly, Julian looked up and caught me staring.
I gave an awkward laugh. "I won't look at you. I’ll look at my phone."
I pulled out my phone and started playing a game. I made sure it was on mute so I wouldn't annoy him.
Two hours passed.
I played games until my eyes hurt. I put the phone down and rested my chin in my hands, watching Julian again.
Admiring a handsome man is good for the health. I read online that staring at a hot guy is basically cardio.
Julian finally closed his laptop. He stood up and saw me watching him with bright eyes. He paused.
He grabbed his jacket and walked toward the door.
I jumped up. I grabbed my bag and ran after him. "Julian! Wait for me!"
He didn't stop, but he didn't run away either. He stood by the elevator, waiting.
I ran up to him. As I got close, I let my high heel twist a little.
"Ah!" I cried out.
I fell sideways, aiming right for him. It was a perfect angle. I was going to land right in his arms. I was ready to feel his chest against my cheek.
But before I could touch him, a hand grabbed my arm.
It was firm. He didn't pull me in. He pushed me back until I was standing straight.
"Careful," he said.
I was so disappointed. I almost made it into his arms.
"Thank you, Julian," I said, trying to sound grateful.
The elevator dinged. The doors opened, and Julian stepped inside.
I followed him. It was 5:00 PM, so the elevator stopped a few floors down. Several employees got on. They saw Julian and immediately straightened up.
"Mr. Garrison," they said.
Julian nodded politely.
Then they looked at me. Everyone knew I was his fiancé.
"Miss Morgan," they said.
I smiled and waved. "Hello."
The elevator reached the lobby, but Julian didn't get off. He hit the button for the underground garage. I stayed right next to him. I followed him all the way to his car.
When he unlocked it, I opened the passenger door and sat inside. I wasn't going to ask for permission.
"Julian," I said as he started the engine. "What are you in the mood for?"
He put the car in gear. "What do you want?"
My eyes lit up. "I get to pick?"
"Make a decision."
"French," I said happily.
Julian didn't say anything else. He drove out of the garage, and I smiled. Persistence was working.