Nicholas

 

 

Two weeks. It's been two fucking weeks since I saw Sophia on the street outside Nova. I've been sending her text messages at least once a day since. Her one or two-word responses may vary slightly from day-to-day but they're always followed by the goddamn smiley face emoji which I've come to realize is her subtle way of flipping me off.

Her excuse is always that she's too busy or she already has plans.

She's stubborn, but so am I.

I've filled my time with plotting and outlining my next release. The book that was leaked online will still be sold but at a reduced price with all the proceeds going to a scholarship fund for students who want to pursue a degree in creative writing. It's not an ideal situation, but at least the time I devoted to writing the book won't be a total waste.

"Nicholas?"

I hear Gabriel's voice as he exits his office. I've been sitting in the reception area with his new assistant waiting for him to end a conference call.  She's the one who called me late yesterday afternoon to tell me that Gabriel wanted to see me. The only thing we have in common beyond my books is Sophia, so I told his assistant I'd be at his office bright and early to meet with him.

"Gabe." I stand and extend my hand. "It's good to see you."

It is good to see him. It would be better to see Sophia. It's been pure torture being in this building knowing that she's here as well.

"Do you want a coffee? We can get you a bottle of water if you'd prefer." He tosses his assistant a look that instantly draws her to her feet.

"What do you take in your coffee, Mr. Wolf?" She eyes me eagerly. She spoke briefly about Burden's Proof when I first arrived. I used an incoming text message from Liam as an out; keeping my gaze focused on my phone until her voice finally trailed off and I heard the urgent rap of her fingers against her keyboard.

"Cream, no sugar." I don't glance at her. "What do you need, Gabe?"

"Follow me." He leads the way to his office, leaving the door open. "Have a seat."

I do. I'm tired as shit. My head didn't hit my pillow until just past four this morning. I was up at eight so I could make it here by nine sharp.

He rounds his desk and takes the seat behind it. He looks good there. He's comfortable in this environment. It's a life I never wanted. I need the freedom of setting my own hours and guiding my career, not worrying about the livelihoods of hundreds of other people.

"Here's your coffee, Nick." The new assistant, whose name I didn't bother to get, places a white ceramic mug filled with steaming coffee in my hands. "If you need anything else, you know exactly where to find me."

Gabriel quirks his brow as she turns to leave. "Shut the door behind you, Ms. Allen."

"How's she working out?" I take a sip of the coffee. It's bitter.

"I want Sophia back."

His words resonate with me. I feel the same way for glaringly different reasons. "Ms. Allen isn’t cutting it?"

"I'm convinced she lied on her resume." He exhales. "I'll give her another month. If things don't improve, she'll be replaced."

The words are as clear as the expression on his face. I knew Sophia was good at her job, but this conversation reinforces just how good. Her understanding of fashion and her ability to anticipate what her boss wanted at any given second made her completely irreplaceable in his eyes. He'll struggle to find someone as competent as her because the bar has been set so high.

"How's Sophia doing in her new position?"

Sitting back in his chair, he studies my face. "I take it things between you two are still at a stalemate?"

That's a polite way of saying I'm still being shut out of her life. "We haven't had a chance to connect in a few weeks."

He knows why. I forced him into the middle of my mission to destroy Sophia's life. Since that night, I've replayed the conversation we had over and over in my mind. He was hesitant to believe me. I heard it in his voice and it was there in the silence before I ended the call. I should be grateful I didn't convince him to fire her.

"That's about to change."

"How so?" I take another swallow of the coffee before I push the mug aside.

"Did she fuck up the coffee?" He sighs. "She drinks at least a dozen cups a day so I assumed she'd be an expert at that, at least."

My eyes scan the length of his desk. There's not a coffee cup in sight. "It's not the worst I've ever had."

I didn't drag my ass out of bed to discuss his assistant's coffee brewing skills, so I press on. "You mentioned Sophia."

I leave it open-ended so he can take the lead. I want to talk to Sophia and if Gabe is my in, I'm not about to let that opportunity slip past me.

"I'm planning a small gathering to celebrate the creation of the Ella Kara line. It's mostly industry people attending but I wanted you to know that your name is already on the guest list."

"When and where?"

"Friday night. I've booked a new restaurant for the night. It's called Hibiscus. Do you know it?"

If that's not irony in its finest form, I don't know what the fuck is. "I'll be there."

"I'll have Ms. Allen email you the details."

"Good." I push to stand. "I didn't need to come down for this. I know you're a busy man. You're welcome to call me whenever you want."

His face lights up. I know he'll respect the boundaries of common decency. I don't expect a deluge of calls from the CEO of a worldwide conglomerate. "Sit, Nick. You're about to understand why I called you down here for this."

I move to sit just as there's a soft knock at the door of his office.

"Come in," he calls loudly across the room.

I turn toward the door and as it opens, my heart rate rises. It's her. Sophia, dressed in a stylish black dress with her hair piled loosely on top of her head, stops in place as her eyes meet mine.