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
Alex ..Friday came, and so did Benjamin. His footsteps echoed off the wall of the almost empty office. “This place is bigger than the one in Manhattan.” Benjamin’s eyes darted around the office. “Is this going to be the new headquarters?” He dropped on the second Nuck Buck seat. “This chair is so much better too.” He placed the bottle of whiskey on the table. Shutting his eyes, he leaned into the chair. I didn’t know if it was just me; he was quite verbose today. I dropped my metallic ballpoint pen in the paperwork before and steered my weary eyes to him. “Nope, I doubt that.” Benjamin’s eyes scoured me, and an arch formed on his brows. “You look like shit.” He flashed a one-sided smile. “Are you having beef with sleep?”I knew I was a total mess—the dark shadows that encircled my eyes, my eyelids had dropped to the depths of the abyss—but I didn’t need anyone stating it out.I drew the whiskey closer to me. “Sleep is the one having beef with me.” I have been having a hard tim
Sophie..“What the hell was wrong with me?” I questioned my stupidity as I remembered how my fingers lingered on the edge of the envelope. The smacking sound of my palm against my forehead upset the calmness of the office. My gaze fixed on the empty seat across from me. Reflecting on how he held onto the file, my cheeks flushed, and a guilt that knew not bound gnawed at me. My phone rang, the tone startling me. “Hey, Alice.” My tone sounded odd even to my own ears.“How’s work going?” She questioned; a rhythmic tap sound came from the other side, like she was tapping her pen against the desk. “Alright, I guess.” My eyes fell on the undone work on my laptop screen. They would have been done if my mind hadn’t kept wandering to my boss. “Is it time-consuming?” Her tone sounded conceited.I leaned forward, and I glared at the seat across like she was sitting right before me. “I don’t have time for another job. Find another decorator.” I puffed. Alice ran a small agency that hired
Sophie.. Alex recoiled, releasing me, he took a few steps back. “A son?” His brows shot up and a few crease lines ran across his forehead. The instant he freed my hands jetted to fix my skirt. Tucking my shirt back into my flare skirt, I replied, “Yes, a son.” Alex inched back again until he leaned against the other wall of the elevator. “A son with that man.” His reddened face turned pale as his eyes widened, but quickly he schooled his expression. A muffled snort escaped me as I straightened my spine, brisking my hand across my outfit. I had no idea why he reacted that way. “A boy,” he said with a reflective tone. “Congratulations.” His tone lost the earlier vibrance it had like sadness had weighed it down. Alex turned and pressed the button that had a “G” engraved on it. He rubbed his hand against his trousers. The faint crisp brushed against the stretched silence. The yellow lights appeared somber as the air ladened with unease. The walls of the ele
Alex..On the balcony of my penthouse, I gazed outside. The dark sky was as empty and solemn as my heart. Not a star…not a moon to keep it company. A glass of brandy caught between my fingers. Its coldness trickled through my fingertips. “Was this the news you talked about?” I questioned my voice, melancholic. Benjamin sipped from the dark amber alcohol that matched the dim light that fought to illuminate the house.I bent and leaned on the glass rail. My gaze landed on the city below. The cars pass by, the pedestrians thousand feet below like ants. I swirled my glass before taking a gulp; the ginger taste punched my tongue.But with the heaviness on my chest, the taste was bearable. “Have you seen the boy?” I turned, leaning my back on the rail. Benjamin nodded, and his body tightened. I could tell he was fighting the urge to place his leg on the round wooden table between the blue outdoor sectional sofas.I exhaled. “You can place your leg.”Benjamin cocked his head while rai
Sophie ..My eyes flew wide open. Beads of sweat trickled down my face as I lurched up to a sitting position. It was the annoying dream again. It’s been a week since my encounter with Alex in the elevator, and since then, I have been having this dream about us doing stuff—sexual stuff. Sometimes, in my dream, we would have sex in an unfamiliar house. But this time, it was in the elevator—the elevator he had pinned my hands to.I raked my hair back as I let out an exhale. My thighs were as wet as my face. With a heavy heart filled with guilt, I sprang up to my feet, brushed my teeth, had my bath, slipped into an outfit, and scurried out of the house. After a while, I parked my car in the car park and brisked towards the entrance. I wasn’t late—not even close to being late, yet I walked as though I was. Maybe I was trying to outrun the lingering feeling, the one birthed from the dream.I slipped into the elevator and pressed the button. The doors slid closed, and the hum drilled into