Skating on thin hearts

Chapter 11- Interruptions

“What are you doing here, Sophia?” James asked, fumbling with his shirt cuff, his tone clipped, though his jaw was tight with annoyance.

Sophia leaned against the wall with an easy smirk, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “I’m pretty sure you should be asking yourself that question, baby brother.”

James straightened, irritation flickering across his face. “I’m on a date, Sophia. Now, if you’d excuse me, I’d very much like to return to it.” He moved to step past her, but she slid smoothly into his path, blocking him.

“Cut the crap, James,” she said sharply, her voice laced with steel. “We both know you don’t like Lila. And I know for a fact you weren’t in that room with her, because I just came from the course, and she’s still there. So…” she tilted her head toward the door behind him, her finger pointing with deliberate precision, “who exactly is inside that room?”

“That’s none of your business, Sophia. What are you even doing here?” James bit out, his patience thinning.

“I was in the neighborhood,” she lied breezily, though her eyes glittered with something colder. “And I thought I’d drop by, check up on my favorite brother, and make sure you’re not doing anything that might screw up our shares in the company.” Her words sharpened into a threat at the end.

James threw his hands up in exasperation. “It’s our company, Sophia. Our shares. No one can take that from us.”

“Oh, no?” she countered, her voice rising. “It can all be liquidated, James. Don’t forget that. We’re standing on thin ice, and we’re in this position because of you. And yet Father still put you as CEO, even knowing about your… disgusting vices.”

His lips twisted. “Here we go.”

“And now I’m left to trail behind you,” she pressed, her face reddening with anger. “Cleaning up your messes. Making sure you don’t drag us under while the shareholders circle like vultures, waiting for you to slip.”

James rolled his eyes and let out a bitter laugh. “I never asked you to play babysitter, Sophia. I’m perfectly capable of handling myself. You’re just angry because Father chose me as heir instead of you. But here’s the truth, you think I wanted this?” His voice dropped, edged with bitterness. “If I’d had a choice, I wouldn’t have taken it.”

Before she could respond, the door behind James opened. He closed his eyes briefly, already knowing this was about to go from bad to worse.

The receptionist stepped out, halting when she spotted them. Her face drained of color. “I…I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll just leave.” She tried to edge away.

“Oh, no, darling. No need to rush.” Sophia’s smile was predatory as she caught the girl’s arm. “In fact, we were just about to call you into the conversation.”

“Sophia, don’t,” James warned, his voice low.

She shook her head. “No, James. I’ll handle this.” Her eyes locked on the trembling girl.

“You’re a pretty one, aren’t you?” Sophia said silkily, though venom ran beneath her words. “How old are you, darling?”

The receptionist’s wide eyes darted to James in confusion before flicking back nervously. “Um… twenty-two.”

“So young.” Sophia’s smile widened as if she’d just confirmed something. “What’s your name?”

“Reed,” she whispered, swallowing hard. “Look, I’m sorry. I was just doing my job. I didn’t know he had a wife.”

James nearly gagged. Wife? The thought of Sophia being mistaken for his wife made his stomach churn. “She’s not my wife, Reed,” he said quickly, his tone sharp. “Go back to your post.”

But Sophia’s grip only tightened. “Not so fast.” She slid her phone from her bag and, with a flash, snapped a picture of Reed’s pale face. The girl flinched.

“There,” Sophia said coldly. “I have your name, your face, and your job. I can make your life hell, pretty girl. So here’s what you’re going to do, stay away from him. Erase him from your memory. Do you understand?”

Reed nodded frantically, her breaths coming shallow and quick. Sophia finally released her arm, and the girl bolted down the hall, nearly tripping in her hurry to escape.

James dragged a hand down his face. “You didn’t have to terrify her, Sophia. It was harmless fun. A little fun never killed anyone.”

“Fun?” Sophia snapped. “Your ‘fun’ could destroy everything. It’s not little, James, it’s reckless. And one day it will cost us the company. Do you want that? Do you want the shareholders to bury us alive?”

James arched a brow. “You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I’m realistic,” she shot back. “And unlike you, I actually care about the legacy we’re standing on.”

James shook his head, his lips curling into a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Legacy. You mean the crown Father handed me instead of you. Let’s not pretend your concern is anything but resentment.”

Sophia’s nostrils flared. She straightened, smoothing her blouse like she hadn’t just threatened to ruin someone’s life. “Well then, I won’t keep your guest waiting.” Her smile was poison.

She pushed past him and strode out toward the golf course. James trailed behind reluctantly.

Lila was still bent over her putter, squinting at the hole in concentration. “Lila, darling,” Sophia called sweetly as she approached. “How’s my brother treating you so far? I do hope you’re enjoying his company.” She slipped gracefully under the umbrella. James dropped into the chair beside her, looking exhausted.

“He’s been really sweet,” Lila chirped. “Just a little distracted, but I don’t mind.” She let out a squeal when her ball rolled past the hole, missing again.

Sophia chuckled lightly. “Yes, he can be that way. Sometimes he just needs a little push in the right direction.”

James groaned and muttered, “Leave, Sophia. This is a date. How’d you even know we were here?”

“Lila told me you took her to the golf course,” Sophia replied, slipping on her sunglasses. “And I thought, what kind of dumbass takes a girl to a golf course for a first date?”

James laughed. “Well, tell that to her. This was her idea.”

Sophia stood, adjusting her bag over her shoulder. “I’m sure you put her up to it. Any dumbass idea would probably come from you.” Her tone dripped with disdain. She started walking off.

“See you later, Lila, darling,” she called, tossing a wave.

Lila smiled and waved back, oblivious.

James slumped deeper into his chair, grinding his teeth. His sister had a way of sinking her claws into every part of his life. Sometimes he swore she was tracking his phone.

He leaned back, ready to tune the world out, when Lila’s phone buzzed on the table beside him. The screen lit up.

Curiosity tugged at him. He picked it up, eyes flicking to the message.

It’s a date then. See you later at six.

James’s brows shot up. He let out a sharp laugh under his breath. Well, good for her. Backup was smart, he certainly wasn’t invested in her.

But then his gaze froze on the sender’s name.

Atlan.

The smirk fell from his face, replaced by something darker, sharper. His chest tightened.

There was only one Atlan he knew and that Atlan was certainly going to be in trouble now.