Cruel twist of fate

CHAPTER 6

             SOPHIA'S POV

It's been only a month in the hillside mansion and a lot has already happened.
I still get flashbacks of the kiss with Richard, He was avoiding me, as much as I was avoiding him.

I needed to focus, I was here to make my money and leave when my contract expires and nothing more.

I tried to convince myself that what happened that night was a mistake and I was only consumed with lust.

I had been with Chris for eight months but I never felt the urge to be intimate with him, we only kissed a couple of times and played around, it always ended with panic attacks, he suggested I go for therapy, which I did but it didn't help much.

I picked up a book to read from the shelf in the therapy room to distract myself from all my inappropriate thoughts.

I had already dropped Lily off at school and I was sure Richard had left for work and won't be back till late at night.

I was engrossed in the thriller novel by Stephen King, I didn't even notice when he walked in and sat opposite my desk.

" Isn't it time for my therapy Mrs. Sophia?"  I closed the book in shock and looked up at Richard seated in front of me, his dark eyes twinkled with excitement as he noticed my reaction.

"C'mon Sophia why are you so shocked to see me, weren't you expecting me? "He said in a sarcastic tone and biting his lower lips. my eye drifted to his lips, and I had flashbacks of our steamy kiss.

I cleared my throat and pulled myself together. "Of cause, I wasn't expecting to see you now, I mean...."  I stuttered not too sure of what to say next.

" I guess you are not prepared for our session today, I was ready  to tell you about my shitty day," he said solemnly

I was surprised but he seemed eager to share.

"Tell me about it, Richard, I'll listen to it, " I said in a formal, but light tone.

He pulled his chair closer and took a deep breath, I could sense that opening up to me wasn't as easy for him.
I think opening up about my relationship with my mother that night made him a bit relaxed with me.

"My younger brother joined the company today, I should be excited, but his presence is getting on my nerves," He said throwing his head backward and clenching his fist.

Why would his brother's presence have much effect on him, was he jealous of his brother? Or afraid his brother will take his place?  He was obviously a smart man, and it looked like he was good at handling his job, so why was he nervous or worried about his brother?

" Why does your brother make you uncomfortable? Are you scared of something ?" I asked, searching his face for answers.

"Apparently he is my stepbrother, and I just can't trust him, he might try to hurt my reputation or pull me down.

I laughed in my head at the mention of reputation, I don't know about others but to me, he was an arrogant man and I'll add a player to that, I mean after what happened the other night, he was bold enough to just sit here and act as if nothing happened.

"Rude jerk," I said under my breath.

"Did you say something, Sophia?" he asked,