The Girl He Craves

Sophie’s pov

I grab Ria’s phone, my stomach knotting as I stared at the photo.

I would’ve probably said this was an old photo if I didn’t recognize the same suit he wore today.

But I also recognize that same doctor with pretty hair.

My mouth pressed together as I realized how cozy the two looked. With one of Aiden’s arms secured in

her hold and pushed between her boobs, her lips wide with a radiant happy smile as she poses.

Something bitter crawls in my belly and I want to toss the phone back to Ria and scrub my eyeballs out.

But I scrolled down instead, which ended up being a stupid decision.

‘Aiden Xavier seemed to have quickly gone back to his playboy ways. The billionaire casanova is seen

with the beau- tiful Lillian Muralo. The two seemed to be cozied up-

I stopped reading, closing my eyes as I outstretched my hands. “Take it Ria. Just take it.” I gritted out,

anger already boiling in my being.

The picture was taken today and probably a few minutes ago given that the media was always so quick

with the latest news.

I also hadn’t failed to notice that the picture was definitely taken in front of Harrington.co.

What the hell was that woman doing there in the first place?

Why were they so close?

And the better question was why did Aiden allow her to hold his hand and press it to her boobs?

My eyes sting and I opened them, only to stare into the worried eyes of my friends.

“I’ll kill him Soph.” Mila promised with an angry look quickly simmering in her eyes.

I shook my head, my voice cracking as I grumbled out. “Not before I kill him first.”

“Woah guys maybe calm down a bit before we go this ex- treme? You know how these gossip forums

operate, some- times they’re false.” Ria said quickly.

I snorted and plopped back down on the couch.

“Did you not see the picture Ria? That woman’s holding Aiden like they’re lovers.” I grunted, feeling

sick to my stom- ach by the thought of him already cheating so early in our just–bloomed relationship.

It hasn’t even been three days yet and he’s already parad- ing with someone else.

Was he not supposed to show the media that he was seri- ous about the engagement?

What if this was another ploy of Aiden’s plan to take re-venge on me? What if he hadn’t forgotten and

forgiven me like he said he did?

What if he just wanted to embarrass me in front of the media?

I shook my head….

No, those words sounded so true coming out of his mouth when he said them to me.

Or maybe that’s what he wanted me to believe. He want- ed me to be gullible and accept his words so

he can hurt me in the end.

Why else would he have not told me about that woman when I asked him about her?

“I saw it. But I also saw his face. He didn’t look too happy and kind of looked repulsed.” Ria pointed out.

I gave her a deadpan look. “Yeah, he looked repulsed be- cause he got caught.”

Ria shook her head. “I don’t think so Soph. This just seems a bit strange. He sent you a hundred roses

and confessed his love for you. Why would he do all of those things and parade with another woman

the same day?”

My mouth pressed together in a flat line and then I an- swered tightly. “For revenge. He wanted to hurt

me like I hurt him years ago.”

Ria sighed and looked over at Mila for help. Mila shrugged.

“I don’t know. The only person who could un–bury himself is Aiden. He should have a good explanation

for this. And if he doesn’t, I have trash bags, knives and a taser. We can make this work.”

Ria lifted her head to the ceiling and let out a loud breath. “Did I really take two murderers as my

roommates? What was I thinking?”

Mila rolls her eyes. “We’re not murderers. If we were you’d be six feet under for being the most

annoying roommate ev-er.”

Ria gasped, her hands going on her chest as she glared at Mila. “And to think I accepted your ass

inside my apartment. The disrespect!”

The two continued to bicker until the door to the apart- ment opens up and Aiden steps inside, his eyes

searching un- til they landed on me.

The girls grow quiet, staring at me with wide eyes.

He smiled widely, his eyes warm as he breathed out. “I’m home baby.”

My heart rate spikes which makes it difficult to stay mad at him.

I tore my eyes away from him when the girls said they should be on their way.

”

Mila hugs me. Don’t make him break you again Soph. You’re stronger now.” She whispered and pulls

away.

Giving me a warm smile, the two later leave not before greeting Aiden on their way out. Aiden asked

them if they wanted him to call Mitch to drop them off but they declined.

When the door closes behind them, Aiden looks over at me and tugs at his tie. “Didn’t know the girls

were here. Did you have a good time?” He starts to walk over to me but I quickly got up and walked

away from him while ignoring him.

“Soph?” Aiden called out, his voice shaking with confu- sion and worry.

Be tough Sophie.

I ignored him and walked over to the kitchen.

“Where’s Ash?” Aiden’s voice is now softer.

”

He’s asleep,” I said curtly, avoiding his gaze as I take a glass from the cupboards.

“I’ll go check up on him,” Aiden said and then leaves me.

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding and filled the glass with water.

When I was done I walked out into the chill of the night, onto the deck, and stared down at the pool.

Ignoring Aiden seemed harder than I thought.

But hopefully, he’d know that I was upset with him and confess to me about what happened with that

woman and him.

After a few minutes of me just staring into the pool, Aiden’s voice snapped behind me.

66.80%

“Goddammit, Soph! What the hell is wrong? Why are you treating me like I’m some stranger right

now!?”

Anger swirled in my body as his words irritated me.

I whipped around, shooting him death stares.

“You’re so full of shit Aiden!” I sneered. “You’re smart, why else would I treat you the way I do now?

Come on Mr CEO, think.”

He stopped by the edge of the pool, making me turn my body to face him. His brows are knotted but

then they relaxed in understanding.

“It’s on social media now isn’t it?” He gritted, looking an-gry.

“These dumb paparazzi ambushed me-

I rolled my eyes. “Of course they did. They caught you and that woman cozying it up…. as they put it.”

Aiden’s brows go back to being knotted and he looked at me in confusion. “You can’t possibly think this

is true baby. Lillian and I were not ‘cozying‘ it up.”

“I think they were right to use the word cozying up since you two did look like you were.” I spat and got

ready to leave but Aiden stops me by taking a hold of my elbow.

“We were not Sophie! At least let me explain-

“Let go of me!” I snapped and pushed at him. But it back- fired and we both ended up in the pool

seconds after.