The Girl He Craves

Chapter 40

Sophie’s pov

My fingers tremble as I dialed Mila’s number. She was probably already on her shift but right now I wasn’t thinking clearly.

I brought the phone to my ears and lifted my thumb to my mouth to bite on my nails. Anxiety was eating me alive right now, and I needed to hear a familiar voice to ease me and hold me down to reality. Because right now, I was convinced that this was a crazy dream and that I hadn’t actually seen Aiden.

Because there was no way in hell Aiden would ever ignore me after all those years. He would at least want to give me a piece of his mind or at least say my name, right?

Why was I even frustrated that he hadn’t acknowledged me?

I groaned and chewed on my nails. This really was a bad habit I should stop.

Mila answers on the fourth ring. “You caught me on a bad time Soph

“Sorry. I uh-I think I just saw Aiden Mila.” I breathed out in a rush as an image of Aiden in the elevator with me pushes into my mind.

He was so cold in there. He didn’t even spare me another glance after I said his name. He hadn’t even acknowledged that his name tumbled out of my lips.

“What?” Mila breathed out in both shock and confusion. “Did you say Aiden? As in Aiden Xavier? You saw him?”

“1

Oh God Mila, I wasn’t even sure what I saw in the first place. Maybe it was another guy alto gether and he hadn’t answered me because he wasn’t Aiden in the first place.

Maybe my stupid mind just placed Aiden’s image onto the guy’s face. Yes, that seems about right, I didn’t see Aiden, that was only my imagination.

“I’m not sure Mila. He

I sighed. Why can’t leven speak properly now? Gosh, I’m literally still tongue-tied.

“What do you mean you aren’t sure? Soph

Mila’s words are cut off by Lisa calling out my name to grab my attention. I look up. ashamed that I was caught on my phone during what was supposed to be my work hours.

“Mila I’ll call you back.” I rushed out and end the call quickly. I shifted in the seat and looked at Lisa like I was constipated. My first day and I was caught doing something I shouldn’t be do ing

Would she report me to Bernard?

“Yes? | asked sheepishly while cringing inwardly. Great first impression Sophie. I scowled at

myself.

Lisa smiled politely and outstretched her hand over the desk. “I’m Lisa, Bernard’s PA. Wel come to Harrington.co. I had meant to greet you earlier but you looked out of it.”

| smiled awkwardly and took her hand in mine. She shakes my hand firmly. “I’m Sophie. Bernard’s new secretary. Sorry about earlier, I thought I just saw…

I trailed off unsure of what to say without sounding crazy.

“I thought I saw a ghost.”

Really Sophie? A ghost doesn’t make you sound crazy at all. My conscious mocked me sar castically.

I wanted to groan out loud. I must sound like a complete nut job right now.

Lisa’s brows furrowed but she doesn’t push me to elaborate. Instead, she changes the sub ject, which I was more than grateful for.

to show you around the company. I’m free now and would love to give you a tour.” She

A tour? Right now?

bump into him

convinced that the

with you showing me around right now?” I

my first day and it would be best to leave a good impression. Sure Bernard and I were friends, but there was a line

nodded. “He was the one who suggested

okay then,” I said and rose to my feet.

I’m really excited to work alongside you.” She admitted and

we spoke about nonsense until

this is the first floor. You should already be familiar with

look interested or at least listen to every word that slipped out of her mouth. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I

or you’re one of the higher-ups.”

and told me to tag

who’s this?” A young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes

Sophie this is Emliss.” She introduced

smiled. “Hey.” He smiled at me and outstretched his hand.

Emliss snorted and smacked the back of her hand on his chest. “Don’t

pouted. “I wasn’t planning to try my luck with her.” He denied but I could sense his

others came to join in on the conversation and I’m introduced to everyone until sud denly another rushed our

CEO just made an urgent

What time is this meeting?”

minutes. He said everyone

last time he held a staff meeting, he fired half of the workers. Now holding one on

Aiden’s pov

I loosened my tie. For some reason, it was scorching

a hand through

Bernard’s floor. Does that mean she works

it was obvious she

did she even

CEO, I should’ve known about everything that’s

I even thinking about

now one of my employees, which meant she was under me. I could just fire her. Bernard would have no say in the

and looked out the huge glass wall and glared at the skyscraper buildings No, that would be too easy to do. I

feel frustrated just as I

the numbers.

ring.

must’ve gone to

college kids do, drink, smoke, and have sex. While I was here running a multi-billion dollar business. Sure the job wasn’t bad, but I can’t help but feel jealous that Ryland and Austin were getting to

man, Aiden’s on the phone.” I heard a smack

from the other line.

the only two who stood be side me through all of the shit I went through that one year in jail. My parents

lungs before speaking, “I think I just saw Sophie Bell in my building. If not her

man. Well I don’t think so. Still, how crazy is that, that you run into her? What the hell is Sophie Bell doing in

a hand through my hair again. ” That’s exactly what I was

Austin chuckled. “Office

office romance here. I’m over her.”

hell was

you saw her? Did you pull her into your arms?” Ryland

her,” I stated bluntly while unbuttoning the first button on my

pretended like she

cold.” Austin chuckled. “Did she say anything to you? I bet