The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Sophie’s pov

Fifty-five employees.

In the ten minutes we were here, Aiden has managed to boot fifty-five employees.

I was still stunned by the number and yes I was counting, who wouldn’t when every second there’s an employee standing up and making that walk of shame out of the room?

He was ruthless. Extremely ruthless. And scary.

He was way worst than how he was in high school.

I gulped. To fire fifty-five employees without batting a lash was crazy. Aiden had grown cold.

But that shouldn’t have been a shocker. This was Aiden after all.

The woman beside me suddenly stands up and I look over at her in confusion until I realize that she had just been fired. The mist of incoming tears in her eyes said as much.

She quickly hurried out of the room, her gaze lowered and her shoulders hunched.

Aiden was cruel.

“Oh crap,” Lisa whispered with a pitch of fear in her voice. One that had my stomach churn ing.

I turn to face her, my eyes a bit wide. “What is it?”

Had they fired her too and I had not heard?

“He’s looking at you.” She whispered, wincing.

I froze, my stomach churning even more. Was about to say goodbye to ten thousand dol lars a month?

I slowly brought my gaze forward and sure enough, Aiden had his intense gaze on me. Such a stormy blue. Those blue eyes I fell in love with. The same blue our son shared.

His eyes turned furious but he was quick to place on a veil that had everyone fooled. But ! saw right through him. He was furious at me.

I held my breath, waiting for him to just pull the rug beneath my feet again and fire me. He was the Ceo after all and even though I was technically working as Bernard’s secretary, I was still Aiden’s employee.

He could do whatever he wanted.

My lungs burned as I held my breath but I don’t let it go until Aiden surprises me by tearing his gaze away and focussing those stormy blues on someone else behind.

I was too busy pulling the air into my lungs to even care to look behind me to see who unfor tunately was misiled with his darkened gaze,

He fired the poor man who cried and begged to keep his job. Aiden wasn’t having it and had two bulky security men escort the wailing man out of the building.

Aiden was as cruel as they said he was. He really was the blue eyed devil.

“This was the most intense staff meeting I’ve ever been in. And he fired a hundred and twen ty-two employees in one day! That’s a new record even for him.” Lisa sighed as soon as the ele vator doors close behind us.

I nodded agreeing with her completely. Aiden was like a cold monster, firing people left and right.

He didn’t even seem to care that half of these people were begging him to keep them be cause they had kids to feed. Every single one of those people he fired today had a family, I was sure.

I can’t help but think that maybe it was a good thing I kept our son away from him. If he was that cruel to people who had kids to feed, how would he treat me and his son?

Thave to protect Ash from this monster.

“I swear he was picking people by playing eenie meenie miney mo. It’s crazy how he only had to say their names and automatically they knew they were getting fired.” Lisa shook her head as we walked down the corridor.

I didn’t think it was crazy at all, with the cold way he practically spat out their names, I’d think I was getting fired too.

“He’s a dick.” I nodded, praying my Ash bug doesn’t turn out to be like his father. No, my little Ash will be friendly, would have manners, and would be grateful for those who will do things for him.

Lisa snorted and quickly placed her palm over her mouth to stifle the sound. “I’m sorry, I swear I don’t sound like a pig half the time.”

I shook my head with a smile, not seeing her point in apologizing for something that was hu man of her to do.

“It’s fine, we all do it. Hey, do you know where Bernard is? I hadn’t noticed him after everyone left the room.” I asked.

I could’ve missed Bernard seeing as there were too many heads in my eyesight as everyone scurried out of the room the second the meeting was over. They resembled headless chickens as they hurried out of the room like the fires of hell were at their feet.

Lisa lifted a shoulder in a barely there shrug. “Must’ve stayed back to speak to the Ceo. Mr. Xavier did give him some files again to go through over the weekend. Bernard thought he would have had time to finish it but with so much workload, he, unfortunately, didn’t. I’m sure Mr. Xavier is currently chewing him and spitting him out.”

I winced. Aiden showed he was cruel enough to not care that Bernard had way too much on his plate to finish those files. I only hope he wouldn’t give him the boot next. Then no more ten thousand dollars a month for me for sure.

Lisa and I soon walked to our assigned place. Me a couple feet away from Bernard’s office with my own private desk and chair and Lisa in her own private sectioned office.

A good ten minutes had passed by when my ears pick up on not one but three sounds of footfalls in the corridor. One was a distinct sound of heels.

Knowing that at any second they would show their presence, my back straightened and I waited with battered breath to greet whoever was making their way over here.

What I did not expect was Aiden a few inches away from Bernard with a pretty woman at his heels. There were many files in her hands.

Goosebumps rage war on my skin when I watch his powerful strides. His hands were tucked in his front pockets and his head was faced forward.

“Sophie.” Bernard greeted me with a smile and a nod when he passed by.

“Mr.Beckam,” I answered with a smile of my own.

But as my eyes sweep back to Aiden, my throat grew a lump. “Mr. Xa-vier.” | greeted with a stutter as I nod.

Aiden doesn’t spare me a glance and If I didn’t know any better I’d say that he hadn’t heard me. But by the stiffness of his shoulders and then the pop of his jaw, I knew he did.

Without thinking much about it, I breathed in his intoxicating scent as he strides past without acknowledging that I was here.

His blatant ignoration of my presence had something like anger and frustration churning in my belly:

Why was he acting like he didn’t remember me?

Why wasn’t he acknowledging me?

Was I really that forgetful? Igritted my teeth as I glared at his powerful back.

Maybe I should like the fact that he did. Because maybe just maybe he forgot that I had basi cally ruined his life.

But how can you forget about someone you bullied and had sex with?

How can you forget about someone who caused you to go to jail at such a young age?

The woman behind him turns around to send me a glare and I’m baffled. Why was she glar ing at me when I hadn’t done anything to her?

When all three disappeared behind Bernard’s office door, I can finally breathe again properly.

After a few minutes, the door to the office is pried open again and Aiden strides out with the woman at his heels,

Mr. Xavier,” I said politely again while nodding my head. He ignored me and walked even faster. I gritted my teeth and sent daggers at his back.

Aiden’s pov

I pressed the elevator button roughly while gritting my teeth.

So she’s Bernard’s secretary……

Did she have to sound so breathless when greeting me?

And why did my cock stir when I heard her voice?

Islammed my fingers on the button a bit rougher, forcing the doors to slide open faster.

Entering the lift, Noel follows right behind me. She insisted on following me since my PA wasn’t here.

If only she knew I was contemplating firing her soon.

The doors were just about to close when a hand with red painted long nails halts them.

“Sorry sir, Mr. Beckam told me to tag along with you so you’d give me the rest of the files?” Bernard’s PA said with unsureness and fear in her quivering voice.

I don’t bother replying, in fact, I completely ignore her. Taking this as a good sign, she steps into the lift, awkwardly shifting away from me,

I rolled my eyes. It’s total silence in the lift until Lisa, judging by the name on her tag decided to break it, unfortunately.

“It’s been a great day so far hasn’t it?”

| spared her a cold glance that she squirmed under in fear.

She was a nice girl I suppose but she failed in comparison to her. I gritted my teeth. Why was I still thinking about that damn woman?

I’m supposed to be thinking about my revenge, not comparing women to her beauty.

“How long has she been working here?” I asked tightly while ripping my attention off the squirming PA.

She could be of use to me. Especially since she would be closer to Sophie. I could use her to my advantage.

“I beg your pardon, sir?” She asked with a nervous edge in her voice and from the corner of my eye, I can see her looking back at Noel as if she would elaborate on my words.

Noel stayed quiet, even more clueless than Lisa.

“Sophie Bell. How long has she been working for Harrington.co?” I asked coldly while gritting my teeth. I turn to her and her features lit in realization.

“Oh, Mr. Beckam’s new secretary? Today is her first day but she was here last week learning a few things before she started. She’s a nice young girl

“I didn’t ask if she’s a nice girl.” I sneered, cutting her off. She didn’t have to remind me that Sophie Bell was a nice girl. I already knew that part.

Lisa nearly jumped out of her skin and apologized quickly. “I’m really sorry sir.”

The elevator doors open and we step out of the lift. “I want you to do something for me Lisa.” | grumble, striding to my office.

Both women stay close to my heels and I almost breathe out fire in irritation.

“And what is that sir?” Lisa asked with a pitch of fear and intrigue.

“Simple. I want you to keep an eye on Sophie Bell during office hours.” I stated bluntly.

“Uh what do you mean by that sir?” She asked and I knew she was now sporting a perplexed expression on her face.

I breathed out through my nose in annoyance. Why was it so hard for her to understand sim ple words?

Would I have to invest in a dictionary and thesaurus for my staff?

“I mean. I want to know her whereabouts during office hours. I want to know what she’s do ing and what time she’s doing it. Do you understand now?”

I arch a brow while sparing her a glance. She squirms yet looked at me confused. “Yes sir, I understand.”

I nod.” Keep this between us do you understand Lisa?” | narrowed my eyes into slits on her face.

She nodded quickly. We stepped into my office where I handed her the files for Bernard.

When she leaves Noel is still standing in my office. I lift my head from the paperwork I was skimming through.

Raising my brow in expectation I looked at her. “Yes?”

Noel’s gaze wavers but then as if getting a push, she suddenly straightens her spine and looks at me head on.

I don’t like her disrespect and sudden boost of confidence.

“Why do you want to know the whereabouts of that woman Mr. Xavier? I noticed how she looked at you when we passed beside her. She looked like she knew you

“Is that why you turned around and glared at her?” I asked cooly with a cold tone.

She looks stunned that I had noticed her rudeness to Sophie. The thing is, when it comes to Sophie I always seem to have eyes behind my head too.

“How di-d you.” She spurted out and I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter how I manage to notice your rude manner. I think you have this mistaken Noel. What happened a few days ago was nothing. So don’t expect anything from me.” I said coldly without emotion in my voice.

Her eyes misted and I gritted my teeth. I really do need to fire her but I was dreading the long hours of interviewing people who were fit and not fit for the job.

“But Aiden I thought

I shook my head, on the verge of losing my patience.” You thought by sucking my cock we’d magically be a couple. Being in a relationship is the last thing on my mind. And being with you was something I regret.” I admitted.

“And don’t ever call me by my first name again. We are not on first name basis.” I snapped in annoyance and then breathed out to relax.

“Now go on and do your job before you embarrass yourself further.” I nudged my head to my closed door that she hurried out of the second my words ended.

I hated clingy women.