Chapter 39

#39 “What is It that Makes You Drawn to Him?”

Alexander couldn’t tear his eyes away from Michael’s car even after Sophia had stopped looking at him. He suspected that she must have recognized him, given how guilty she appeared. It didn’t really matter to Alexander who Sophia was dating, but he knew exactly why Michael was pursuing her a sick ambition for revenge against him.

He came to the realization that despite her grumpy exterior, Sophia was a remarkable woman who deserved to be treated right. He had cautioned her about Michael multiple times, unable to fathom why she wouldn’t heed his advice.

Feeling his fists clenching, Alexander deliberately relaxed them. He wouldn’t let Michael get under his skin. He needed to talk to Sophia again, to convince her somehow.

His phone rang, and he answered it without bothering to look at the caller ID. His secretary’s voice came through urgently. “Mr. Stone, there’s a serious problem concerning William’s Bank.”

Alexander’s posture stiffened, a foreboding sensation settling in his gut. He had decided that all of his company’s funds would go into Emily’s father’s bank.

“What’s happening?” he demanded sharply.

“It’s all over the news. Accusations of bribery, immoral deals, money laundering it’s incredibly serious, Mr. Stone,” his secretary’s voice quivered with concern.

“This could be mere speculation.”

“I doubt that. sir. There’s concrete evidence – documents, recorded conversations. Journalists seem to have gotten their hands on this information and are tearing their reputation apart.”

Alexander mused aloud, “Barbara and her husband are certainly not clean when faced with such solid evidence.”

“Unfortunately, Alexander, I can’t dispute any of the claims.” As his secretary spoke, Emilia’s call started buzzing on the other line, relentless. Alexander silenced several incoming calls from her, his irritation growing.

“Who could’ve leaked this information? he asked with irritation in his voice. “It’s an anonymous source.

They’ve done a thorough job gathering evidence and seem to have personal grievances against the Williams family.”

“Interesting…” Alexander muttered before abruptly ending another call from Emily. “Launch an investigation into the situation. I want to know what’s going on.”

“I’m already on it, sir.”

With that, he hung up and swiftly made his way to his car, driving toward the office. Everything seemed to be spiraling out of control, and Alexander detested the feeling of things going haywire. Upon arriving at the office, Emily immediately started talking to him.

“Where have you been?” she demanded. “I was going out of my mind.”

“I had work,” Alexander replied icily.

“Do you even grasp the gravity of the situation? They’re smearing my family with the worst accusations.

Can you believe it?” Emily’s voice trembled. “I’m doing an investigation for this matter.”

“Thank you, Alexander. I know I can always rely on you.” Emily seated herself on the edge of his desk, her tone lowering in an attempt to provoke him further.

“Today was terrifying, you know,” she continued. “Can you… can you just hug me? It’s been an incredibly tough day.”

“No, Emily. You need to learn to handle these situations independently. I won’t always be there to rescue you,” Alexander burst out unexpectedly.

“What…?” Emily was taken aback.

“I’m dealing with a rough day too. But you can see that I’m not wallowing in self-pity. I’m taking action, Emily. It’s time you did the same.”

Alexander’s usual demeanor was to remain composed, but Emily’s behavior was wearing on him. So much was at stake, and he had to deal with her antics even as he had a meeting waiting.

“I’ll definitely do something about it,” Emily retorted, a hint of anger in her voice. Emily knew that Sophia was somehow involved in Alexander’s changing behavior, and the thought was driving her mad.

“Good. Now I’m off to a business meeting,” Alexander stated coolly as he left his office.

Before the door could close, Emily overheard Alexander instruct his secretary to schedule a meeting with Sophia that day. A chill ran down her spine. As soon as Alexander emerged, Emily approached his secretary for an explanation.

“What’s this meeting about?”

“It’s related to the case concerning your parents, Emily. Alexander believes you need proper legal representation,” the secretary explained.

Emily felt utterly betrayed – Alexander entrusted everything to Sophia, while she was left without his trust. The urgency intensified within her – Sophia had to be removed from their lives immediately.

*

Alexander entered Sophia’s office without any formalities, his gaze intense as he fixed it on her. She didn’t seem impressed by his abrupt entrance.

“You wanted to talk,” she began, her tone cutting through the air with sharpness. She was clearly ready to get straight to the point.

“You’re aware of what’s happening in the news, so I assume you know why I’m here, Sophia,”

Alexander said. “You want me to be the lawyer on the Williams case. My answer is no,” she stated.

“If it’s a matter of money, Sophia…”

“I have money, Alexander,” she cut him off curtly. “My refusal is not about money. Firstly, I’ve already been entangled with Barbara and Thomson, and I know she’s capable of such actions. Secondly, the evidence against them is undeniably strong.”

Alexander could not help but notice Sophia’s cold demeanor and wondered what nonsense Michael had told her. “How solid is the evidence?” he inquired, focusing on the matter at hand.

“So solid that I’d stake my life on the fact that they’ve engaged in every illegal and underhanded activity imaginable.”

“I see,” he responded thoughtfully, processing her words.

“You are very worried about your little friend Emily’s family.” Sophia mocked him. “Why does it matter to you why I’m concerned?” he retorted, his tone tinged with irritation.

“Because if I were you, I wouldn’t get involved, Alexander. These people are schemers, and if you want to safeguard your company, it’s in your best interest to keep your distance.”

He let out a smug smile. Sophia couldn’t help but wonder why his expression held such an enigmatic quality. Alexander moved closer, taking a seat so close to her that she had the fleeting urge to retreat.

“You know, Sophia, for someone who dabbles with dangerous individuals, you offer quite audacious advice,” he remarked in a low, almost throaty voice. Sophia involuntarily shivered as his presence intensified beside her.

“Are you referring to Michael?” she inquired with a frown. He nods still staring at her. She understood why people were afraid of Alexander, he could bury you in the ground with a look, but there was also something captivating about the way he looked at her.

Sophia was silent, she wasn’t going to give him an explanation as to why she had gone out with Michael, but Alexander was patiently waiting for her to say something. He looked at her like he could wait forever.

“Come on, Sophia, enlighten me as to why you’re not heeding a straightforward warning. I did mention that he’s dangerous,” he prodded.

“Because I don’t take orders from anyone, Alexander,” Sophia retorted. “Perhaps a bit of listening wouldn’t hurt in the long run.”

“You can’t dictate whom I should date or not. Who do you think you are?” Sophia shot back, her frustration driving her to her feet.

The place where he had touched her seemed to burn even after she had withdrawn. Now that there was a bit of distance, she found it easier to chastise him. “Don’t force me to resort to other means to keep you two apart.”

His voice dropped lower, taking on a threatening edge. He too stood up, his posture imposing as he walked toward her. Even though she seemed calm, Sophie’s heart raced.

“You know what I think you’re a control freak trying to rule over everyone, but guess what Alexander, you’re not going to take your sick habits out on me.”

“Is that so?” he asked intrigued. He kept walking towards her and she was backing away. Sophia didn’t care that she was pissing him off right now. She thought he had no right to order her like that.

“Yes, exactly. You’re obnoxiously stubborn, and I have zero tolerance for people like that – especially you.”

Alexander simmered inwardly. Since the very beginning, Sophia had managed to get under his skin. He might be stubborn, but she was equally unyielding. As she found herself backed against the wall, he leaned in dangerously close.

“You dislike people like me, don’t you? But you’re fond of Michael?” he asked dangerously close to her.

Sophia didn’t answer. She owed him nothing.

“What do you like so much about him Sophia?” he inquired, his voice a low, dangerous murmur.

Alexander’s voice had taken on a ragged edge, a mixture of brokenness and suppressed anger, his words wrapping around Sophia like an invisible thread. Her initial instinct was to push him away, to create some space between them, but she found herself completely stiff.

“Does he flatter you? Tell you how beautiful you are, how admirably persistent you become when you’re determined. Does he bring you flowers? What is it that makes you drawn to him?”

Every word that left his lips was tinged with a raw edge. His voice, low and potent, sent shivers down Sophia’s spine. For the first time in their exchange, she found herself speechless, grappling for an answer.

Under Alexander’s unrelenting gaze, Sophia’s heart raced, and her breathing quickened. His proximity was suffocating yet magnetic, making her forget everything else.

She wanted to yell at him to stop, to push up him away, but she was so caught in the moment. She could smell his perfume driving her crazy, his breath almost merging with hers.

Quickly Sophia came to her senses and was about to open her mouth to answer him when Alexander kissed her. She made a small sound of surprise. His lips were very soft and warm. Her eyes had closed almost instinctively, surrendering to the feeling. Her lips betrayed her as she returned his kiss.

Alexander’s kiss was far from gentle; it held a raw hunger, a possessiveness that both startled and captivated her. Sophia realized that if she continued there was no turning back, so she pulled away sharply.

Confusion and shock mingled in her gaze as she stared at him, her chest heaving with the aftermath of their shared kiss.

In a swift movement, her palm connected with his cheek in a resounding slap, the sound reverberating in the room. The action was impulsive, a response to the whirlwind of emotions that had just coursed through her. It was as much a gesture of defiance as it was a reminder to herself that she shouldn’t be consumed by his intensity.