Webs

Chapter 3: Sophia Thompson

ALEX P.O.V

This was one of those days. Every other day I felt like this. Work had been… work. Nothing was exciting, nothing has been exciting since… I always stopped myself from thinking about it. But how do you overcome this kind of pain? I have felt pain in my life, but this, this was different. Everything reminded me of her. The beautiful view out of my office was therapy. I enjoyed watching this. The city lights. It always soothed me. Well, almost always. How can humanity comprise countless distinct souls, yet share the same emotions? The same primal desires that stir within – lust, anger, sadness, want, greed, power. Loss.

I have to get back to work. Reluctantly, I found my chair, sinking my burden into it. No one should see me like this.

“Check the drawer.” I promised myself I wasn’t going to be like this. But how do you deal with this kind of pain?

“Tes?” I knew she wasn’t there, but was I? All I want is to be with her, to hold her.

If I was there… only if I was there!

“There is a surprise for you.” Her voice faded away. It took me a while, but I found the drawer. I took it out – the photo. This was the last picture of us. She had forced me to take the picture. I stared at the photo, my fingers tracing the familiar contours of her face. The sun-kissed beach, her infectious laughter, the warmth of her hand in mine—it all felt like a distant memory. A year had passed since she’d been taken from me. I, a once solid tower, had crashed like a pack of cards.

My phone buzzed with a call, distracting me from my thoughts. John. It was John calling, it shouldn’t wait, and yet, I watched the phone ring away. John wasn’t exactly who I’d pick as Santa, but he had been a part of the family before I was conceived. Loyal, but not the person you want to hear breaking news from – not when you’re a member of my family. My phone rang aggressively immediately after his first call. I knew I had to take his call.

“John.” I sighed. “Alex. James has not improved. His condition has worsened.” My phone cracked under my grip. My brother, once the shining star in the family business, now struggled with addiction.

“How are you?” John’s voice was faint, almost a whisper. “Really.”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll increase the funding for his treatment.” I tried to be as unemotional as possible, dropping the call. I shook my head, stopping myself from getting drawn into the past. My father, my mom…

“Sir?” Rachel was before me. “Since when did you enter without knocking? Knowing you are not blind, I assume the door being closed made sense.” I wasn’t in any mood for chit-chat. I dropped the frame in my drawer, slamming it close.

“I am sorry sir, but I knocked a few times with no response and—” I cut in, “Why are you here?”

“The Maritime deal has collapsed.” Rachel looked extra slutty today. “And why are you dressed like this?” My eyes burned with anger. “Um, I thought—” She started. “Oh, you think? Now you think? What were you thinking when the deal was on the verge of collapse? You may have secured this job with your head, but you are sustaining it with your body and right now you don’t look appealing. Get out.”

“I am sorry sir,” she replied. “Now.” I clenched my jaws.

I had to find a way to make this work. I knew exactly why Maritime did this. I didn’t need their corporate explanation covering up their lowly behaviour. There was no way I could handle this on my own. I chewed my lip.

There was only one way. No. Do you want to lose this multimillion-dollar deal after all the work and time you put into it?

“I’ll get another one.”

You are out of time! You don’t have time. The year is running out, and nothing can save you.

“I got this one, I can get another.”

Maybe your father was right. James would always be better than you. You can’t do better than him in this world, you are just like him.

“No!” My face twisted into a scowl. My eyes burned with frustration and anger. I grabbed my phone from my desk. “Get me everything you have on Maritime. I don’t care how far you go, I need every disgusting piece of filth on them. Now.”

“You know what will happen. Are you sure about this?”

I turned around to a priceless view of the city. I wasn’t going to fail, not again. “He cannot be right about me, John.”

My door flung open. Diane.

“I’m sorry sir, I couldn’t stop her.” Rachel who was left out of breath, dashed after her. “Close the door behind you,” I instructed Rachel, taking my seat. Diane was seated comfortably, legs crossed.

She slammed two big shopping bags on my table. “These are for tonight.”

Um… tonight? What was happening tonight?

“Don’t tell me you already forgot about the gala I told you about.” Diane leaned over the table, disappointed.

“I’m sorry, Diane. I have work to do. I can’t make it to the event.”

“Wow. What a way to entertain your honourable guest. I miss her too, Alex. Do it for her, you know how much she loves things like this.”

“This is not about her.”

“Yes, it is! You don’t do anything fun. You don’t go anywhere other than killing yourself with work and drinking. And of course, playing with these girls.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“That is not fun, smart ass. It would help if you were free again. Love again. Don’t give me that attitude,” Diane pulled my face back to face her. “I pawned the necklace.”

“What?!”

Was that a joke? Was it supposed to be funny?

An annoying smile stretched her lips as she stood. “You better get prepared. Time’s ticking.” I was stunned, my eyes froze behind her, watching her leave. I gave her that necklace as a gift. I was tired of feeling guilty, seeing it lying around felt like she was watching me. I, I couldn’t bear it. But to give it out? That was low, even for Diane’s standards.

My phone buzzed. “Yes?”

“It is done.”

Rachel came in, “Sir? They are back. We are back.” I dropped the call.

She smiled sweetly. Maybe I could get some before preparing for the event tonight. My mood lifted.

“Lock the door,” I ordered her. “Yes, boss.” She bit her lower lip.

***

An open bar at a charity for kids, interesting. The address wasn’t far away, and so far, nothing exciting had happened. I caught sight of Diane across the room filled with trustfunds and insecurities. Oh, and the girl from the park. This should be fun.

“Ladies, good evening. Diane, I see you are surrounding yourself with beauty.” I greeted. “I may not be mad at this lovely outfit you put together but please tell me you were joking about the necklace.” I smiled tightly.

“Stick around long enough and you may just find out.” I groaned. Maybe the company of her company will be good. “Are you going to introduce us?” I stared at Diane, nodding my head slightly in her company’s direction. Diane concurred.

Something about her was different, and no, it wasn’t her… innocence. But she really should have known better. “Sophia. Your work is impressive, although I’m not sure I approve of the open bar.”

It was a lovely introduction. My first in a long time. Too bad the auction started now and I already had commitments at another table.

Imagine my surprise when the necklace came up. Well, one thing is for sure, Diane wasn’t joking. That was the one thing Tessa loved almost as much as me. There was no way anyone else would get that.

The auction was tough and even though I put up ridiculous numbers, I had fierce competition. But no one was going home with it if not me. A hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Love is priceless. That call to John wasn’t so bad after all.

I noticed Sophia’s loneliness. I was done for the day, and I wanted to continue our earlier… conversation. Grace her with my presence. I joined her. “You seem… lost.”

“It’s my event. Why are you here?” She retorted. Mm, fiery. I like that.

“I see you don’t take kindly to criticism. Isn’t that bad for someone in your field? Or you are just not used to being corrected?”

“Congratulations on flaunting your wealth. You seemed very, very insistent on securing the jewellery. Now I know for sure you are a billionaire’s kid. But isn’t that too much showmanship for some necklace?”

Some ssssssssnecklace. S…some necklace. My face heated up and my eyes narrowed. My pulse quickened and I blinked rapidly, trying to cool the flashing anger within me.

I forced out a smile, “Seems you are a girl easily impressed by showmanship. If you had a better head on your shoulders, maybe I would take you home.” I soaked my voice in the pool of the most condescending tone I could muster.

I turned immediately, heading out. It was my cue to end the night. I took out my phone, tapping furiously on the screen.