Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Aiden’s pov Something was very familiar with this woman. The way her bottom was shaped. The way she stood.

I stumbled out of the elevator when a thought slammed into my head.

No, it can’t be her.

What would Sophie Bell be doing in New York? Especially at Harrington.co?

She was probably sitting in her dorm room in college, talking to her roommate about weird shit.

This woman wasn’t Sophie. She couldn’t possibly be her.

Besides Sophie had brown chocolate hair and she had less hips. Though those legs were long just like hers.....

I shake my head while watching the woman enter the elevator. When the doors close behind her, I’m convinced that I was going mad.

Was I still so obsessed with Sophie that I was now thinking a stranger was her?

I grunt and decided to forget about this mysterious woman. She was no one, she was not Sophie. And if she was, I wouldn’t care anyway.

Sophie Bell has been dead to me for three years.

I stormed my to Bernard’s office, frustrated that I even thought this woman was Sophie.

“Mr. Xavier,” Bernard’s secretary, Alice rose from her seat. She looks shocked to see me, or perhaps it was the invisible steam coming out of my ears that had her so stunned.

I ignored her and went straight for Bernard’s office without knocking.

As soon as I enter. I’m hit with a familiar scent. It was a floral scent, but the scent was very faint. It reminded me of.....her.

What. The. Fuck.

I shook my head. I was really going mad today.

Bernard lifts his head from the mess of paperwork on his desk. He raised a brow. Of all my employees, Bernard was the only one who didn’t cower under my cold stare. I could give the old man props for that.

“Aiden I glared at him and he stops. He knows how much I hate when he calls me by my given name. That name was only supposed to slip past the lips of those close to me.

Not because Bernard has been working for Harrington.co and was a trusted employee as Sergio has mentioned, meant we were close.

“Mr. Xavier. What do I owe the pleasure ” Here are the reports I want you to look into.” I slam the file on his desk, frustrated that the light floral scent was still troubling my nose.

“Mr. Xavier “Have them done by tomorrow.” Usually, I would have a more than five minute talk with him about the finances concerning the company, but I found myself itching to get out of the room and away from that scent.

I stormed out of his office.

“Mr. Xavier,” Alice nods when I stormed by. I don’t acknowledge her, needing to get out of where quickly When I entered the elevator and pushed in my floor number, 38, I sighed in relief.

LE As soon as the doors slide back close, I could finally breathe. But the frustration was still there.

Sophie Bell.

It was clear she was still haunting my mind to this day.

Igroaned. I slept with so many willing women to forget about her and it takes one mysteri ous woman that reminded me of her to have my entire composure crumbling at my feet.

I felt like that same high school boy who was so obsessed and in love with her that I’d do anything.

I was no longer that boy. I refuse to be that “boy’ again.

I will continue to force her out of my mind. No matter how long and how many women it would take to forget about her.

Because I was sure Sophie Bell forgot all about me.

She sure did, with not even bothering to call me when I was locked up for an entire year.

I gritted my teeth harshly when the thought slammed into my head. I didn’t want to think about her any longer. Didn’t even want to care about her whereabouts.

The elevator dings open and I walked out.

Noel is seated at her desk, her red lipstick is one of the first things you’d notice about her.

She’ll do. I’ll finally put her to use.

When she hears me approaching, her gaze sweeps up quickly and her eyes hold that glint of desire in them.

“Come,” I demanded and walked away. She’s quick to stand up and follow behind me like a puppy.

Earlier she looked like she was desperate to get on her knees for me, I’d make her wishes come true today.

Bernard’s pov I looked at the door Aiden had just stormed out of in confusion. He sure looked flustered and a bit uncomfortable before storming out.

The door opens a second later and Alice enters. “Saw Mr. Xavier storming out. Is something wrong?” She asked in concern.

I shook my head while reaching out for the file he placed on the desk. “Not that I know of. He looked already pissed off the moment he entered.” I answered.

And then shrugged. “Honestly it’s the blue-eyed devil we’re talking about. It doesn’t take much to anger him. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“You’re right, Mr. Xavier is always pissed off,” Alice said.

“By the way Bernard, you were right about Sophie. She’s very hardworking and can grasp anything quickly. She’s the right fit for the job.” Alice utters.

job. Alice utta “She also resembles your daughter a lot. Almost the exact replica. They could even be mis taken as twins.”.

I looked down at the photo frame on my desk, almost buried by the amount of paperwork currently around it.

It was a photo of Mya, my dead daughter and my wife. We took that photo at a resort, not knowing that it would be the last time our daughter would be living and breathing. She was only seventeen then and had her whole life ahead of her.

That was five years ago.

Seeing Sophie in that diner that day, two years ago brought back memories I shared with my daughter. It was like I was staring at my daughter again, and seeing her smiling again.

From then, Sophie had become someone I held dear even though the girl wasn’t my biologi cal daughter.

I nodded, “She does, doesn’t she? The exact replica.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me if she actually was your long-lost daughter you never knew about. Or at least a relative.” Alice voiced out.

I snorted, “Don’t be ridiculous, Alice. I had only one biological daughter. And even conceiving her with my wife was hard. I wasn’t a man who spread my seed everywhere.”

“Ooh Ash would love those.” I squealed lowly as I pushed small chocolate cupcakes inside the foam container.

My eyes dance around the cute desserts.

It wasn’t really hard to find the staff canteen and I was proud to say that I found it in five min utes. But maybe that was because I asked for directions from the receptionist who didn’t seem to be in a bad mood again.

I stuffed my foam container with endless desserts knowing I’d have to share with Mila and Ria when I got home.

I should really start eating healthy.....

My tongue licks a trail on my bottom lip when my eyes fall on a red velvet cake.

But how can I eat healthy when they showcase all those unhealthy foods here? I moaned. This was torture.

I forced myself to walk away from the pleasant aroma and even more pleasant looking food. I will not be tempted today Satan!

I refuse to be Eve!

I dragged my feet to an empty circular table and chair, smiling awkwardly when some work ers who were eating around a circular table turned to stare at me.

Why was everyone staring at me today? Sure I was a new face here, but was one look not enough? Why won’t they look away?

I brushed the sides of my head, hoping it wasn’t the little flyaway hairs pulling in their atten tion.

Did I have something on my face?

Or maybe they saw me gawking at the endless sweets and desserts seconds ago?

I tear my gaze away from them.

At least their stares didn’t trouble me like the one I felt on my back earlier before entering the elevator. No, that stare was different than these, I could feel the intensity of it.

Ignawed on my lips as I remembered how tingles brushed on my skin quickly when that per son’s eyes pierced on my back.

My body ever only reacted to one person like that.....

And that person was Aiden.....

I shook my head, scowling at myself inwardly. I was stupid to even think that stare belonged to him.

He was in jail for goodness sake!

Sophie’s pov “Have a good rest of the day Sophie!” Alice said and waved at me before putting her hands out for a taxi.

“You too Alice!” I called out just as a taxi pulled up beside her.

I watch her leave before sighing and walking over to my old car. I winced at the mustard col or that stood out. I had been meaning to give it a good paint job but money was always so low.

But now that I had a new job, I can finally just say screw it and buy a new car that wouldn’t stop on me or refuse to start. And keep me hostage with its seatbelt.

I smiled. I smelled freedom. Hell, I was starting to see through those rose colored glasses.

“You hear that Mary....I’m going to get rid of you.” My hand patted the mustard color hood as I made my way to the driver’s side.

Feeling a little droplet on my cheek, I lift my head to the sky. I closed my eyes and smiled as the rain belt over me. I even removed that tight bun in my hair and let my hair down. I was even tempted to dance.

People must think I was crazy to stand in the rain. But right now I didn’t care.

.

The heavens were showering me with blessings.

I entered the car when my white blouse was getting a bit see through. There was no way I’d have anyone see the red bra I have on.

I closed the door, wincing a bit by the screech, I put my seatbelt on and then stared at the huge building.

Harrington.co.

I couldn’t help but grin.

Who would’ve thought I’d ever be one of the employees working here?

I’d let you in on a little secret...

I never thought I’d ever get a good paying job like this. Not when I didn’t have the qualifica tions for it or anything close to it.

But that wasn’t really a secret now was it?

I was damn lucky that was for sure.

Grinning at the building one last time, I kicked Mary to start. She roared and jerked.

* You better work for me you dumbass, I need to pick up my son.” I hissed at the damn car and started it again.

When she roars and finally comes back to life I yelled out a thank you Jesus before driving off slowly.

But I knew my luck would run out soon enough.

Mary came to an abrupt and jerking halt.

In the middle of the exit of Harrington.co parking lot.

Great.

Just great.

Not only was I stuck, but now I was in the way of everyone who wanted to pass through.

“Mary you dumb-“Igroan, curses whipping off my tongue as I try to start her again.

and was tired of me always complaining about her suck Maybe Mary had enough ish services.

Horns blare behind me and I cringe. This was bad. Really bad. And humiliating, don’t forget that.

“Sorry!” I yelled even though the rain was way too overpowering for anyone to hear my apolo “Oh don’t be like that Mary. You know I love you. We’ve been through thick and thin together. I was joking when I said I was going to get rid of you.” I moaned and tried again.

She doesn’t budge.

ih “Ugh you useless mother I started, only to scream when I hear someone’s voice really close to me.

“Are you okay ma’am?”

My head whips around to see a man clad in a black suit beside my car. He looked to be just a bit older than me. And with the hat on his head, he looked to be a chauffeur.

“Tuh I started, completely embarrassed that Mary wasn’t roaring to life.

D “I’m just having a bit of trouble with my car,” I said sheepishly, afraid to look behind me to see the cars lined up with their impatient drivers slamming their hands on the horn.

“Do you need help miss?” The man questioned, leaning down to level his eyes with mine.

“Tuh I stop, unsure of how to reply to him.

I smiled awkwardly.

“No, uh that’s fine. She’ll roar back to life....” The smile leaving my face when I tear my gaze away from his face, “Well, I sure hope so.”

“I beg your pardon miss? Who’s she?” I can hear his voice clear with confusion over the sound of the rain.

I smile awkwardly when I brought back my attention to him, not wanting to look rude by not giving him my full. “Uh, it’s my car. I’ll get her started. Just give me a Mary roars back to life like I predicted she would.

I smiled brightly, my mood switching from zero to a hundred really quickly. “Thank you, sir.” II thanked him for being the only good enough person to walk in the rain to offer me help.

He tips his head and walks away.

I frown when I started to drive away.

I could’ve sworn I felt the same intense eyes on me when I was speaking to that man back there.

I peeked in the rearview mirror o see a huge black Nissan SUV driving the opposite way. I hummed. Why do I feel that intense stare coming from that SUV just now?

poving The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)

Chapter 34 The Billionaires Mistress Epilogue The Alpha and The Fool Chapter 30 The Billionaires Mistress The Alpha and The Fool