The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)

Chapter 31

Aiden's pov

I leaned back into the chair as I waited for what he had to say.

His eyes were piercing me across the desk. It feels uncomfortable but I don't waver under his stare.

Sergio was a man who loved feeling superior, even at his age. For the last two years, I have been in the presence of men who were just like him, sharks, waiting for the best opportunity to bite

Thave grown used to it and I was not ashamed to admit that I had turned out to be just like them.

X

Perhaps this is why the finances skyrocketed when I turned CEO of the company. I was by far worst than Sergio.

And as I remember correctly, they called me the blue-eyed devil.

"Aiden, it has come to my attention that you have quite a reputation in the business tabloids lately." Sergio started.

I stiffen already having an inkling of where this conversation would lead to.

I tangled my fingers together, and regarded him over the desk. He didn't look pleased. But then again, Sergio was never pleased.

"Yes, I am very popular with those tabloids." I nodded, acting indifferent

The tick of his jaw showed how frustrated he was with my indifference. I felt the corners of my lips lift slightly

I always liked to annoy the old man.

"Don't act so mighty. The tabloids have only bad things to say about you, that's nothing to be proud of." He grits, his steeling eyes glaring at me.

I lift my shoulder in a barely there shrug. "Because there's nothing good to say. I don't care about their opinions, They're just useless people living off on the rich."

Sergio's eyes narrowed. "They're calling you a cold hearted man-whore who can't keep it in his pants for at least two seconds. With your reputation, they're saying that you may not be fo cused on running the company but running after every model with long legs."

I snorted. "They must not have seen the spike in the business recently."

"This is no time to joke around Aiden! Our company's reputation is on the line because of your reckless ways!" Sergio hissed, looking very frustrated and angry.

Well, hopefully, the old man doesn't pop a vein there.

I cocked a brow. What they wrote about me wasn't anything new. I don't see the point in bringing up something that didn't really matter in my world.

In his perhaps, but in mine....I couldn't give a fuck what they thought.

"What do you want me to do about it, Sergio? My reputation perceives me. Though they're not correct about my lack of focus on running the business. Perhaps if they stopped following me around so much they'd notice the spike we got recently." I said sarcastically.

Sergio's eyes turned into slits. "They didn't lie about you sleeping around with different wom en. That alone is enough to put you in a bad light. I passed down this company to you in hopes that you'll be the man your father never was

My hands fisted as ! popped my jaw. "Don't put my father into this." I snarled, leaning for ward as I looked at him coldly.

Sergio narrowed his eyes at my tone and breathed out fire." These tabloids don't care about a sudden spike in a business, or how well the business is doing. They care about gossip and you're giving it to them by dangling a different woman off your arm every damn day!"

I seethed silently. It was way too damn early to get a lecture from Sergio who I was sure, wasn't as innocent when he was my age.

A damn year without a woman's body, her body, and I had fallen into the rabbit hole of frus tration and anger. I did what any sane man would do...I fucked any willing woman to ease my frustration, Praying and hoping that one of them would make me forget about....her.

"You owe me a lot Aiden. And though we don't see eye to eye much, I care for you as a grandfather should. I've done all I can to help you, it's time you start pulling your own weight around here. I want those tabloids to see you as a changed man. This attention that you're get ting isn't good if they find out about your past." He warned.

Pulling my own weight around here? Wasn't I the one who pushed the company to the next level and earned us a billion dollars in the first year I filled in his shoes?

For a guy who didn't go to college and get that business degree, I was doing well on my own. What more weight does he need me to start pulling?

I continued to stare at his cold face and can sense something was brewing, especially with the gleam in his eyes. What the hell was he playing at? "What are you getting at old man? Spill and quit beating around the bush." I snapped. I was losing patience with him.

Sergio crossed his legs and looked at me cooly as he leaned back on the chair. "I think it's time you settle down Aiden. Find someone you can marry."