Alex.. The rolled-up car window muffled the bustling city’s noise. But, the announcement from the car stereo didn’t let me relish the little quietness I could afford. “Turn off that noise.” A scowl traced my face, the leather squeaking as I adjusted on the chair. The driver obliged and in no time silence stretched across every corner of the car. I tilted my head, my gaze cutting through the tinted window. With all the many thoughts cramming my head, it was hard to take in the view of the city. My phone rang devouring the calmness of the car. My head snapped to my phone lying on the car seat. My stomach ought to twist in guilt as I saw the caller’s name, but here I was—empty. Reaching out for the phone, I picked up. “I’m very sorry, I should have let you know….” I massaged my forehead, my fingers ran through the crease crested on it. My mother cut me off. “You forgot…” her voice, dull and as though something had sucked everything out of her—my predicament did suck o
Sophie..The interview ended, and I strutted out of the office, following behind one of the workers. The stubborn thoughts that lingered drowned out her chatter. Thought—why did that man punch Luca? I had asked Luca, but all I got was a stupid smile.We reached a door at the end of the hallway.Pushing the glass door, she turned around. “This is your office.” I nodded, taking in the view of the office. The glass walls allowed you to see the hallways. There were three black swivel chairs on each side of the white long rectangular table. Swinging around, I faced her. “I’m not the only one working in this office.”Her index finger was still caught in her dark, wavy hair, twirling a thick strand. “There are other designers. Y'all will be working here.” A quick snap filled the air as she blew the gum into a bubble and popped it. She leaned off the doorframe. “The boss's office is on the seventieth floor. If you have any issues, you should report them to him. Also, you should check al
Sophie..I laid—my stomach against the bed, my legs kicked the air. Alex’s words clung onto my mind as the stars to the dark, shrouded sky. ‘Daddy is back home.’ His words echoed in my head, and a shameful flush swathed™ cheeks.I had a lot of work to do, but attention had fled from me. My mind constantly slipped to the way his eyes glinted. It’s been hours, yet my chin still burns, remembering how his fingers felt. I buried my head in the pillow, my muffled grunt brushing against the silence. I shouldn’t be feeling this way about another man. So many questions unanswered. I wasn’t a fool; I already had an idea of the kind of relationship I had with him. But what happened between Alex and I and what happened between Alex and Luca, I just couldn’t find out—at least not on my own. “Where is Liam?” Luca’s voice came from the other end of the door.“Asleep,” Palma responded.As soon as Palma’s footsteps faded, a sharp rap against the wooden door interrupted the stillness in my room.
Alex..Different hues of light staved off the darkness that dominated the sky from the city. In my left hand was my phone pressed against my ear, and in my right hand was a glass of brandy. “You finally found Sophie?” Benjamin’s voice came out strained as he controlled his pitch from rising. He knew how well loud sounds grated my ears.“Yes.” A pleased grin stretched my lips as images of her swamped my mind. The way her eyes fluttered when she lied about my name not ringing a bell. The feel of her skin against my fingers. Warmth pooled in my belly as I remembered it all. “How did he take her out of the state without leaving any traces?” Swirling the glass, the ice in the glass clinked as cubes collided with each other. “Does it matter?” I muttered, my eyes fixed on my faint reflection on the floor-to-ceiling, the only barrier between me and the cold breeze outside. I chugged down the drink, the oaky taste mingling with the resolve burning on my tongue. “I plan on taking her back
Sophie ..His cedarwood scent teased my nostrils, and a treacherous warmth filled my lungs, one that couldn’t be from the office. Alex leaned in further and further. “When am I getting your portfolio?” His voice dropped sinfully low, and the gate of hell opened, flooding my veins with its lustful breath. My body tightened as his fingers trailed my face to the curve of my neck, the hair on my skin reaching for more of him.“Today,” I stuttered, retreating till my back pressed against the door caging me between him and it.I swear I did fight—fought to not feel the intoxicating effect he had on me, fought to chase this unwelcome warmth that tortured me. But damn was it hard; I felt myself failing at every attempt. Slinking closer, he lowered his head. Alex’s eyes drifted across my face as if he were taking every detail of my features. My heart drummed—I barely recognized the beat it played.Luca’s warnings replayed in my head, like a fire alarm. But like a kid hypnotized by the fla
Sophie..I rushed through the metallic turnstile and into the empty reception area, and like a car slamming on the brakes, I came to a halt. I was about to meet Luca, so he and I could leave before he ran into Alex. But I was too late. Through the glass revolving the door, my eyes fell on both men standing, an antagonistic stare kindled in their eyes.I tapped a foot on the glossy white marble floor; my nails caught between my teeth. I peered over a stupid attempt to make out the words coming from Luca’s lips—nothing; I couldn’t make anything out. When Alex clenched his fist, a satisfying curled Luca’s lips. But it didn’t last long; his smile vanished and his face turned pale. My stomach twisted, reacting to Luca's expression. My curiosity spiked up. What did Alex say to him? What could possibly drain all the colors on his face?Alex tapped Luca on his shoulder before walking away, but the colors didn’t come back to Luca’s face; instead, he seemed paler. Luca clawed his nape w
Alex..Guess today wasn’t going to be a good day. First, that brown-eyed bastard, now her. The heat in me refused to be extinguished, no matter how many breaths I had inhaled. I just had to run into him immediately as the side effects of the medication wore off. I trod to the underground parking lot. My eyes scrambled to the rows of cars parked on both sides as the heavy thuds of my footsteps tainted the silence. After passing six cars, my eyes finally landed on Mia leaning on the trunk of a red Porsche that matched the red A-line gown she wore. “Surprise.” A wide grin played on her lips as she stretched out her hands, the car key dangling from her fingers. My frown deepened as I approached her. Mia’s smile fell as I gripped her and pulled her closer to me.“What the hell are you doing here?” I gritted out, hot breath running out my nostrils. She was supposed to be in Manhattan. But immediately after Sophie left my office, my mother called and informed me Mia was in San Franc
Sophie.Liam tugged the blanket up to his chin, his eyes fluttering but still not quite closed. I smoothed his hair back, settling onto the edge of his bed. His room was one of my favorite places to be in the house, and not just because of the silence.The room was dim, just the faint glow of his nightlight keeping the darkness at bay. He never slept in the dark, just like me. I stared at his face as he glanced down at me, mumbling something indecipherable.Oh, how I loved this child.My mind drifted, against my will, and the image of Alex, so close, his breath warm on my skin, the way his eyes darkened. His touch that made my heart skip a beat. I wondered, what did he mean by remembering how his lips felt on mine? The flutters that twisted like a tango dance in my stomach, like from that moment returned and settled in the depth of my stomach.How would they feel?No.I really shouldn't be thinking about this. “Mommy, you’re not telling the story right,” Liam’s little voice snappe