7 a deal

SOPHIA

I lowered the curling iron from my hair as I looked at myself in the mirror at the vanity table.

It was my first official day of taking things slow here and having the ultimate fun. I was supposed to go with Zara but an urgent meeting that she couldn't ignore suddenly came up.

It would be really better if I went with someone but Zara was the only person I knew here.

'Ryan?' The little voice in my head inputed. 

I shook my head. Definitely not. That would be jumping from the pot into the fire with my own hands. Absolute insanity.

Maybe I should learn to start doing things on my own so that way I wouldn't be so broken when I'm left on my own.

I finished touching up my hair, grabbed my phone, and headed out of the room.

I got a call as I walked out and I picked it up once I saw who it was.

“Good morning Sophia,”

I smiled as I made my way into Zara's kitchen.

“Good morning Aimee. I'm sorry I couldn't answer your calls. How have you been?“

“It's not the same here without you. Life has been boring,”

I chuckled lightly. “That's a lie we both know,”

“I'm for real,”

“When do you want me to put the building up for sale?“ 

I picked up the red apple from its tray and turned towards the faucet.

“I'll inform you when it's time,”

“Okay,”

“Your-”

She hesitated and I turned off the faucet once the apple was clean.

“Then have a nice day,” she added.

“What were you going to say?“ I asked.

“No, it's not important,”

“Say it,”

She sighed. “Naomi was at the office a day after you left.“

My jaw clenched as soon as Aimee said her name.

That betraying bitch. She had better be grateful that I was too miserable to act on my feelings towards her and I didn't want the scandal to worsen then, or else someone would have lost their ability to walk and it wouldn't be me. I'd have broken those fucking legs she used to walk into my life.

“Did you break her legs for me?“ I asked.

“Something close to that,” Aimee replied. 

I chuckled. Trust Aimee to pass the vibe check.

“I guess I can always trust you,”

“Call me whenever you need me. And if you ever decide to start again there, I'm willing to leave here for you,”

I laughed. “I'm honored,”

“Okay then, bye,”

“Bye” 

I ended the call and tucked my phone into my pocket then returned to my breakfast. 

A few minutes later.

As I picked up my bag from the couch, the doorbell rang. 

Zara didn't say she was expecting anyone or a package. I hoped it wasn't Ryan. He already said he'd be here a lot.

He'd wait for me? He'd have to wait a long time then.

I pulled open the door and groaned softly when I saw Ryan standing outside. 

He was in his office outfit which showed that he was probably just coming from the office. What was he doing here?

He had a small mischievous smile on his face and I frowned, crossing my arms.

“Zara's not home, I think you know that,”

“I'm here for you,” he said softly.

My heart skipped a beat at his words and his tone.

Ryan Caddel, please.

“What-”

“What do you mean?“ I muttered, trying not to mix my words and sound like a total idiot. I held my breath as his eyes dropped to my outfit before they held my eyes again.

“Zara said you both were supposed to look around the city today,”

“Since she's not here, I'll go with you,” 

I exhaled.

I'm going to kill Zara when I see her again.

He must have known my thoughts because he spoke up again.

“I insisted on coming here. She promised to kill me if I did, but I don't listen to her,” 

I rolled my eyes. “It's fine. You don't have to come with me. I'll go alone,”

He shook his head, a frown on his face. “Definitely not,” 

I rubbed my temple. “No. Don't make me mad, just leave,”

“Haven't you since we saw each other again?“

I sighed. “It's just noon. You should be at work or doing something important, “

His eyes twinkled with a boyish glee. “You are more important,”

I rolled my eyes. “Don't give me that,”

His lips spread into a thin smile. “Let's go?“ 

I shook my head. “Go back to your office.“

I shut the door, making sure it was locked.

“And don't follow me,” I added in a warning tone, hoping he'd get I didn't want to be next to him and he'd leave, but of course, I might have forgotten what kind of person Ryan was.

When we got out of the building, he was still walking behind me.

I stopped walking and turned to look at him, a glare on my face.

“Why are you following me?“

He didn't reply. Instead, he gave me a small smile that got on my nerves.

“I'm going to scream”

His lips curved into a smirk.

“No one would believe you, they'd think you are fangirling over me,”

I scoffed. “Why would anyone in their right mind do so?“

He stepped forward, leaning closer to me. “You did once,”

I swallowed nothing as he held my gaze intensely. 

Touché, Ryan. 

“I must have been out of my mind,” I whispered with a slight scrunch of my nose. I saw the disappointment that crossed his face for a split second before he pulled back with his signature smirk.

“Let's make a deal,” he began as he crossed his arms.

“Go with me today and I will let you be,”

I stepped closer. “Better keep to your word,”

He smiled and led me to his car.

Bad Idea. Those two words kept chanting in my head as I followed him.

This was probably one of my most not thought-through decisions.

Ryan started the car and drove out of the parking lot and soon we were on the road.

'I hope I don't regret this’