Hidden Between Us

Chapter 4: Brother Trouble

“Sometimes the noise you bring is the only thing keeping someone awake to you”

Sophie's Pov

The boutique had been fun, but my arms were full, my heels were a little sore, and my phone buzzed again.

Damian

I groaned, Of course

I tucked the phone into my tote. "Not now..." I muttered

Sienna was walking beside me, pretending the sunglasses I shoved in her hands were a crown. "You're really ignoring your phone a lot today," she said.

"Yeah, yeah," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Family stuff. Ignore it."

We went to a nearby cafe for lattes and conversed.

By the time we stepped outside, the sunlight hit me full on. My driver was waiting, perfectly polished, hands folded, standing like he was a statue next to the black car.

"Oh wow... okay," I breathed, more to myself than anyone else.

Sienna blinked. "Fancy," she said

"Yeah, yeah," I said, sliding in, feeling the leather seat hug me.

Upper-middle-class energy, baby

Sometimes it felt unreal

The city blurred outside, people rushing, cars honking, street smells, everything normal. Meanwhile, I was headed to a skyscraper that belonged to my father, the global empire, multi-million-dollar prestige in glass and steel. Damian was training to take over someday, but for now, he was the calm, magnetic center of it all.

The lobby was massive, marble floors, glass walls, sunlight bouncing off every surface. The receptionist greeted me as I walked in. I headed for the elevator and took it to the floor in which he texted me and said he was at.

There he was, Damian. Leaning against the edge of the desk, sleeves rolled, papers in hand. Calm, collected, untouchable.

"Hey," I said, dropping my bags.

"Hey," he replied, low, measured. No hint of emotion, just... him.

I smirked. "So, you called me five times today. Trying to make sure I actually showed up?"

"I needed you here," he said, calm as ever.

"Right. Needed me," I teased, wiggling my eyebrows. "Because the world can't survive without your genius sister"

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You're impossible."

"Maybe, but admit it, you secretly enjoy it," I said, leaning closer.

A corner of his mouth twitched.

Victory.

"Let's go," he said, nodding toward the elevators.

I followed, bouncing slightly on my heels. "Seriously, you're calm all the time. Do you ever feel anything?"

He rolled his eyes, pressing the elevator button. "Sometimes. Rarely, And not in your presence, apparently."

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. I leaned against the mirrored wall, arms crossed, smirking at him.

"You know," I said, watching his reflection, "someone like you should have a girlfriend by now. Twenty-six, calm, annoyingly perfect. There's got to be someone out there."

He didn't flinch. "I haven't found someone worth the effort."

I scoffed. "Someone worth the effort? You? Ha! You're insane."

He sighed, eyes forward, hand on the railing. "You are lucky I tolerate your comments at all."

I grinned, fire bubbling in my chest.

"Tolerate? No. Secretly enjoy."

The elevator dinged at the top floor. The doors slid open, revealing the sleek, professional, every inch precise. Leather chairs, polished desks, muted tones. Our father's company, alive and pulsing with energy.

Damian gestured me forward.

"Opinions on these designs," he said, handing me papers and sketches.

I leaned over, pointing, whispering, teasing. He stayed calm, cool, slightly annoyed but barely letting me see his reaction and I loved it.

"So," I said finally, hands on my hips, leaning back, "when are you going to get a girlfriend?"

He pinched his nose. "You are impossible, Sophie."

I smirked, fire bubbling. "Not impossible, awesome. Don't forget the difference."

He groaned, leaning back in his chair. "One day... you'll realize how exhausting you make life."

"Maybe," I said, smirking. "But until then? You're stuck with me."

And just like that, the rhythm was set: me, fire and chaos; him, calm, reserved, magnetic. And all of this, our father's skyscraper empire, Damian learning the ropes, me teasing him endlessly, was just the beginning