The Girl He Craves

Sophie’s pov

“How are you holding up by the way?” Mila questioned as my head rolled on her shoulder.

“I know the media has been shit lately towards you and now that they had Ashton’s picture circulating around….I can only imagine the stress it has brought on for both you and Aiden.” Mila murmured.

I nod, moving my head off her shoulder and mumble. “It doesn’t feel great to be in the public eye but with Aiden al- ways being the hot topic for blogs, it’s not surprising that they’re trying to get into everything they can about us.”

Mila looks over at me in worry. “These paparazzi and so- cial media scare me. This is why I stay far away from social media. The way they could spin any false story out of control makes me sick to my stomach.”

I nod, agreeing with her.

Suddenly my phone buzzes on the table, catching our at- tention. I picked it up, staring at the caller and a smile spread on my face.

Ingrid.

I haven’t heard from her in a hot minute and decided to call her today…only that she hadn’t answered when I did.

0.001

I’m relieved that she was at least okay.

I answered the video call quickly, lifting the phone to my face.

When her face emerge on the screen, I couldn’t help but be worried. There were visible stress lines on her face.

“Ingrid?” I smiled. “I tried calling earlier. Haven’t heard from you an entire day.”

I shifted around so the camera could also be on Mila who waved at Ingrid. “The girls are here.” I said and then switch the camera to show Ria who was rocking Ashton back and forth to make him fall asleep.

Ria waves at Ingrid but Ash head was faced away and was resting on her shoulder, no doubt already sleeping.

Switching the camera back on me, I looked at Ingrid in deep worry when she hadn’t answered as yet.

worried now that she

confused and concerned stare and I only shrugged in response because I was

answers but her voice is low.

I asked in deep concern. “Is it Michael?” | questioned, my voice a bit shaky with

in denial and cracked out a forced smile. “No nothing is

looked around and her brows pinched. “Where are you? This doesn’t look like

me chewing on my lips and I nervously looked at Mila who

“I uh-

trying out this family thing. I’m

tucked some stray strands behind my ears as

way she’d encourage me to move in with Aiden so soon, especially with our last conversation about

she surprised me by

at each

voiced it out simultaneously. “Are you

takes a while to answer but she lets out a breath and spoke up. “I’ve just been worried about you Sophie lately. The media is getting to everyone in town and people are talking

that this is not the main thing that has

she didn’t want me to be concerned about

make my

Given that the town was small and everyone knew each other, it wasn’t surprising if they remembered what happened two years

back home and I was pretty sure the en- tire town knew about Aiden

Carson’s parents…..

the hostility they always

in worry for Ingrid and Michael. Since I was not back home they were probably getting the brunt of the gossip that I was certain were

are they?” I

Ingrid smiled reassuringly.

”

nothing we can’t

little family. Gossip back here will not last and by next week everyone will focus

for five minutes or so, a cough in the back- ground had