The President's Secret

Chapter 10

|Sofia|

I COULD feel his hot breath kissing my skin on my neck. The way he kissed and licked it, makes my body tremble in excitement. I bit my lower lip and opened my eyes. I looked at my reflection on the mirror and saw how red my cheeks are, right now. f**k! Again? Why am I even remembering that moment?!

I opened the faucet and quickly washed my face for the nth time. Well, I was hoping that somehow, I could calm down.

But damn, I just can’t! Vivid images kept on playing on my head every night since that happened!

I went out of the bathroom and went toward my bed. I throw myself on it as I stared at the ceiling. Then again, a flash of memory pops on my mind again. f**k! It’s been weeks, Sofia? Can’t you just move on?! You’ve been thinking about it for almost every hour and a time he had noticed how off you are in your work! And how you just can’t look at him straight into his eyes!

I closed my eyes and heaved a deep sigh. Good thing it's Saturday, at least I won’t see him until Monday.

I didn't know how I survived those days with him. I was too good at distracting myself and making myself busy as I try my best not to look into his eyes. Because if I did, I don't know what might happen to me!

"Urgh! I told you I can do it!"

"But Ella! Something might happen to you and to our—"

"I'm not a limp, dammit!"

"I know!"

I quickly got up from my bed because of that sudden noise coming outside my room. I groaned in frustration and looked at the clock on my bedside table. Goodness, it's early in the morning and the two lovers are arguing at something I don't know! When will this flat be at peace? I miss the silence! Since I had permitted James to stay here to look out for Ella, the unit has been always in chaos, day and night! Literally!

I just can't let my best friend left at home alone now that she's pregnant. And letting James stay here is the best idea we had decided since it’s for the welfare of my best friend. Good thing that Ella’s parents accepted the fact about her pregnancy and were excited for their soon to be a grandchild.

I found the two on the laundry area, with Ella sitting on a small short chair and in front of her was a small stainless basin and a bucket of laundry on her side. Goodness, what does this pregnant woman wants to do now?

"What are you doing?" I asked which made James look at me. I looked at my best friend who ignored me completely and started to scrub the white cloth she is holding.

"Are you washing your clothes?" I asked.

"What do you think?" she asked, never looking at me. I let out an exasperating sigh because of that and looked at James, who seems couldn't do anything against Ella's stupid idea. I quickly went to her side and pulled her to stand up.

"Stop it! Getting strain at your position isn't good for you and your child!” she looked at unbelievably.

"Duh! I am just three months pregnant!" she said and took away his hand from me. She was about to go back from seating on the little chair when I quickly looked at James and throw him a knowingly looked. He immediately knows what I meant and sat at the little chair before Ella does.

"James! Get out from there or I'll throw you out of this house!" Ella threatened to him. But he ignored her and continued what Ella was doing a while ago, washing the clothes with her bare hands.

"James! That's my clothes! I can wash them with my own hands!" she fumed again and tried to push James away but he didn't let Ella overpower him.

"James!" she shrieks as she stomped her feet like she's annoyed at what James' doing.

I let out a deep sigh and chose to drag out my best friend from the laundry area. She forcedly resists and breaks free from my hold but I didn't let her. Gods, does she even know that washing machines exist? Why do they insist on doing the laundry by hand wash?

I let her go when we both arrived in the living area. I turned to faced her and her corded eyebrows and contort face greeted me. I could see the wrath in her eyes as she looked at me. I chose to ignore her glares as I crossed my hands on my chest.

"Don't you know that doing that isn't good for you?" I scolded, trying to let her understand the situation here. But hard-headed as she is, she only scowled at me as sat on the sofa near her while crossing her hands on her chest. Goodness, she’s so childish!

I went in front of her, annoyed, and looked down no her. I tried to get her attention but her eyes were to focus somewhere else. I rolled my eyes because of that.

"You want to do something? Okay, let's go to the nearest mall or somewhere else now and let's find something that might interest you in there," I bargained, completely giving at her attitude. She shot her brow up before looking up at me. She didn’t say anything and stood from her seat and walks out and heads toward her bedroom.

I sighed again, it's still early in the morning and I don't know where I should bring that woman.

***

"Gosh! I really looked fat!"

"You aren't,"

"I don't believe you!"

"Then it's for you to believe it or not," I said and continued checking the magazine I am holding right now.

I saw her sneering at me before she looked back at her reflection at the mirror. She continued checking herself and emphasizing her baby bump like it's a big problem to her figure. I rolled my eyes and ignored her rants. It's irritating that I had to babysit her and endure her demands whenever she's having mood swings. It's annoying, really, especially how her voice shrieks if she finds out something that displeases her. Goodness!

I heard the wind chimes sounded as the door opens, signifying that a new customer had come inside the boutique.

"Sofia?"

I lifted my head upon hearing my name from a familiar baritone voice. My eyes widen in shock and quickly stood from my seat when I saw the President's younger brother.

"M-Mike," I said in recognition. I blinked and frowned as I looked at him. Why is he here?

A woman got my attention as she entered the boutique after him. I thought she’s with him but she didn't go beside Mike and went inside the boutique. I noticed that she’s also pregnant as I looked down on her bump. My eyes widen when I realized something.

"Sir... Good morning," Ella greeted and I didn't even notice that she's already here beside me. Then my eyes travel down from what Sir Michael is holding, some paper bags of a well-known brand. Wait...

"Wow, you bought so many dresses, Sir Mike. Is it for your wife?" Ella asked like she could read my mind.

I quickly set my attention to the man in front of us, who seems taken aback at my best friend’s question. But after a few seconds, he looked at the paper bags he's holding and lifted it on the air.

"Oh? This one?" he said as he shows us the shopping bags. But before he could even formulate a sentence, the pregnant woman popped from nowhere and went beside him.

"You won't introduce me to them?" the woman asked which made us looked at her.

"Honey, done checking the clothes?" he said. I blinked.

The woman smiled at him sweetly as she showed her a maternity dress that she likes. Goodness, Mike has a wife?!

"So, who are they?" the woman asks sweetly as she looked at our direction. I swallowed hard especially when Ella clings her arm to mine.

"Oh, they're our employees of the company, Sofia and Ella," he introduced, pointing at us respectively.

With her chinky eyes and flawless skin, she waved at us as and smiled widely.

"Hi! I'm Honey, Mike's cousin," she introduced herself. We were both frozen the last word she said. What? Cousin?

I glance at Ella and saw the smirk plastered on her lips when our eyes met.

"Oh, cousin," Ella smiled fakely as she looked back at the two. "Hi!" she said as she waved back at her.

I bit my lower lip as I lower my head and let out a deep sigh. Well, it's not obvious that they're both blood-related. They looked good together and if she didn’t introduce herself to us, I would really mistake them as husband and wife.

Hayst.

You're really good at concluding things Sofia. Look where it always get you, shame.

After a few seconds, the two bid their goodbye because of some errands to do. I can't help but follow the two as they get out of the boutique. Sir Mike took care of his cousin like a fragile glass. For sure when he gets married, the woman he’ll be marrying is so lucky.

"Hey!"

I immediately turned to look at my best friend. I saw the wide smirk on her face. I scoffed at her and somehow, I could read that look she’s giving me. Of course, what do I expect?

"You thought she's his wife?" she asked. I rolled my eyes because of that.

"We're pretty much the same," I just said and went back to my seat. She just continued finding some maternity dresses after that whirlwind encounter.

***

"What are we even doing here?!" I complained as we walk inside the supermarket of a prestigious mall.

"Well, I was craving for something and as far as I can remember, I bought that in this supermarket," she said and continued to drag me toward wherever it is. I let out a deep sigh because of that. Goodness! I’ll remind myself the next time not to babysit this woman!

We walk inside the section with a basket on her hand. We immediately went into the fruit section and she looked at the products one by one. I told her that I needed to go to a bookstore and we'll just message each other where will we meet after our appointments. But before I could even go out, something caught my attention.

"Ian... not here," a voice said just across this sections of dry goods. I was about to ignore it but I stopped in my stance when I heard his familiar voice.

"Why? I own this place."

"But hon, we're in public," the woman defended. I rolled my eyes and didn't need to look who is across this cup noodles and some things.

"Sure.. let's go in my office," he said.

I shiver in unknown reason because of that. I quickly hide before they could see me. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised to see the President here since this is one of the branches of the malls they owned!

I saw their backs as they went out of the supermarket. I sighed heavily and went out of my hiding place.

Gosh, even here, he didn't let it pass to flirt around!