Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

Chapter 22

Steven’s arms went around her, pulling her deeper into his embrace as he held her without saying a word. As one arm rested over her shoulders, another gently smoothened her hair. He did not say a word, just held her like that until she stopped crying and only a few occasional sniffles were heard.

“Come, let’s go into my office,” Steven finally told her as he let go of her shoulder and claimed her hand. He led her into his office, closing the door behind him. There were only two of them on this floor, with most of his employees already gone home.

Depositing her on the black suede sofa, he walked to the small collection of spirits. He poured two glasses and walked back to her. Steven handed her one before taking the other. He walked to his desk and leaned on it, crossing an arm over his chest as he studied her. Her face was sad, her eyes red from crying. She took a small sip of her drink, making a face before downing the contents. Her head was still lowered.

“Can I get you another?” Steven asked her. He watched as her face came up, her lips still quivering, and he wanted to destroy whoever had made her this emotional.

Sophia shook her head as she placed the glass on the table.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” Steven downed his drink as well before placing the glass beside himself on the table and crossing his other arm. He watched as Sophia blinked rapidly, cursing himself for making her upset. But he needed to know so that he could help her.

He watched as she pointed to his shirt, “I am sorry I ruined your shirt.” Her voice was hoarse from crying, but it did something to him, making his body tighten up all of a sudden.

Clearing his throat, Steven dismissed that with a shake of his head, “Nothing a washer can’t fix.” He watched as she battled with herself. He knew whatever it was must have been big enough to upset her. And his gut was telling him that his son was involved.

“They called an intervention,” Sophia’s voice was so low that Steven had to lean forward to hear her.

“Intervention? For who?” Steven frowned. “And who called it?”

“My family,” Sophia sighed hard. She leaned back on the sofa, resting her head there and closing her eyes, and she looked up at the ceiling. “Eric had told them that I have been going on dates, and they wanted to know who I was seeing.”

Steven kept quiet, having a feeling that was not all.

“They invited Eric there as well so he could talk to me,” Sophia said, turning her red and swollen eyes at him. “My family wanted me to be in the same room with a man who had been cheating on me for nearly most of our relationship. This is after they have ignored me for the past six months. Can you believe that?”

Steven shook his head. He could feel a surge of anger coursing through his body at what her family had done to her.

“He-he says he still loves me and that he wants a second chance,” Sophia scoffed, shaking her head. She closed her eyes, a few tears escaping from the corner to run down over her ear before they disappeared into her hair.

Steven had to fist his hands to stop himself from heading to her and wiping those tears away. His body was raging at him to comfort her, but he was scared. Scared of the feelings that are seeing her cry and upset evoked from him. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and hold her tight so that no one could reach and hurt her. But he felt that it would be inappropriate, especially because he had felt how easily she filled his arms.

“I told them he cheated on me. I told my mother I was fine and that I didn’t want him,” Sophia shook her head. “But it felt as if I was talking to a brink wall. She goes and sets me up. Do I have the word stupid over my forehead or something?” She angrily wiped away the tears that were now flowing freely down her cheeks. “Because I don’t get how my own family would side with the person who had hurt me, you know?”

“You are not stupid, Sophia, and never let yourself talk about yourself that way. Do you understand?” Steven raised an eyebrow at her when she kept quiet. “Sophia?” He watched as she nodded. “Your family had no right to do what they did to you, and I am sorry you had to go through that. “And although we haven’t been close, Eric and I, I know how stubborn he can be. My question to you is do you still want to be with him?”

Sophia was already shaking her head before he even finished his sentence, “No. I can’t go back there, Steven. How do I trust a person who has lied to me for so long?” Sophia groaned, and using her palms, she hid her face. “I can’t believe I am dumping all of this on you.”

“Look at me,” Steven’s voice was a bit hoarse.

Sophia raised her head from her hands and turned to him.

Steven approached her slowly, “I told you to call me whenever you needed me, and I am glad that you did. Sometimes just having someone to dump all this on is the best help you need.”

Sophia nodded before shaking her head, “but why won’t my family support me? What have I ever done to them?”

Steven was now standing in front of her. He went down on his hunches, taking her cool hands in his, “their loss. I want you to focus on you right now.”

Sophia scoffed, “I don’t think I can. My head feels like it’s about to explode.”

Steven gently rubbed her knuckles, doing it unconsciously, “how about we go to the club?”

“Oh, I can’t make you do that,” Sophia shook her head.

“You are not doing anything. I need to head there anyway,” Steven shrugged. “If you don’t want to dance or whatever, you can stay with me in my office. Once we are down, we can head to Letty’s before I drop you home. How does that sound?”

“Tempting,” Sophia replied, her stomach rumbling with hunger, causing her to blush.

“I guess it’s food first, then?” Steven smiled gently at her, his fingers still rubbing her knuckles.

Sophia laughed, “Yes, please.” She sighed before her eyes locked with his. Removing one hand from his, she reached up and gently moved his hair from his forehead, “You are a very sweet man, Mr Fawler.”

Steven’s eyes darkened as he tried not to lean into her touch. It had been such a while since he had had a woman, and his body had claimed Sophia. Trying to adjust himself subtly, he heard Sophia chuckle.

“Did I make one of the most feared men in the business world speechless?”

Steven growled at him, “Certainly not. I am not sweet; a man cannot be sweet, Sophia.”

“Oh really?” Sophia tilted her head. “And should a man be?”

“Dominant, fearless,” Steven replied as he stood up, hoping that he did not embarrass himself. “But never sweet.” He pulled her to her feet.

Sophia laughed, “really? But I do find you sweet. See?” She ran her hand over the slightly wet patch where she had cried earlier. “You let me cry on you. You held me without question and waited until I was ready to talk. If that isn’t the definition of sweet, then what is?”

Steven shook his head, “but I am not sweet. I can destroy a person without thinking twice. I have done that and will continue to do that.”

Sopahi shrugged, “that’s different. I know you, Steven. You would not destroy a person if they didn’t deserve it.” Sophia tilted her head and looked up at him.

Steven swallowed hard. He watched as a small pink tongue darted out to moisten the dry lips. His breath caught in his throat, his body coiling from tension. The way Sophia tilted her head was the perfect angle for kissing; Steven had to lean down and claim her soft-looking lips.