Long chapter so need a lot of comments you guys ;)

Sophia leaned back in her chair, staring at her laptop in a confused manner. It had been a week and she still couldn't find the reason for the extra expenditures of her company. She had gone through every file every paper and every balance sheet, the extra expenditure is no where to be found.
Now she was worried, she had to tell Conner about it sooner or later. He had trusted her with this responsibility and she was ashamed to have let him down. But she couldn't understand what the problem was. When she saw the files it looked like there was no extra expenditure at all!
She picked up her phone and dialed someone. ''Hello, It's me Sophia. Get me the files from yesterday and make sure you do it fast'' With that she hung up.

Again going through her laptop, she read all the reports again and again trying to find the reason for the declining profit, Conner wont take this lightly at all. She was now getting anxious, frustrated with all the false data she shut her laptop screen forcefully.

closing her eyes she rubbed her face with her cold hands. ''What am I going to do'' She muttered. This was getting out of hands and there was no way in hell can she let this pass. She just had to rake her brain cells into finding what or who was responsible for this.

A knock on her door made her quickly compose herself. ''Come in''

Mike walked in with a worried look, ''You okay Soph?'' He set the files on the table and then went ahead to sit on the couch of her office.
''No Mike, I have this huge problem and I don't know what to do. The boss is gonna be so mad!'' She exclaimed. Mike looked at her tired form knowing fully well about how tired she was.
''If you want I can help you?'' He knew he wasn't of much help in her department but he would do anything to help her. Everyday he saw how hard she worked and how lonely it made her, also he did not like her in that kind of a manner but he still cared for her as a friend.

''No Mike, I'll be fine. Go before boss come's around and starts yelling'' She smiled at him, assuring him that she was fine. Mike nodded and reminded her of how he would love to help her and walked out.

It felt weird calling him 'Boss' in the office. She was so used to calling him Conner everywhere, but no one knew of their relation outside the office so it was kind of obvious why she had to call him that.

Standing up from her seat she walked over to the mini fridge that had some beverages for her when she was hungry but not ready to face humans. She took out a can of juice and opened it sipping it immediately not wanting it to fall. ''What a relief'' She sighed as she leaned against the shelf and drank more forgetting about the current situation. If it was up to her she would have that fridge full with vokda but because Serenity is constantly opening that fridge when she's here, she can't take the risk.


''Slacking off already?'' She heard a high pitched voice behind he making her whip her head instantly.

There stood a lady in her 40s or 50s looking at her with a smirk. From the moment she saw her, Sophia's mind screamed trouble. She raised her eyebrow and turned to the lady fully, not liking the tone of her voice. ''Excuse me?'' She asked, ''I don't remember you working here?'' She asked, not even trying to hide the irritation in her own tone

''Of course you don't, not if you waste your time like this'' The lady chuckled making Sophia narrow her eyes. If it wasn't for her age she would have insulted her in her own style. 
Sophia managed to fake a smile, ''Are you new?'' She asked again.

The lady nodded, ''Duh, Obviously. I'm Shery by the way'' She walked inside the cabin and that's when Sophia noticed a file in her hand. ''I'm your new PA'' She gave her a sick smile before bending down and keeping the file on the table with a smack. ''I've just started working here. It's a pleasure to meet you Sophia.''

''Firstly I don't like your attitude and secondly it's boss to you not Sophia'' Sophia smirked as she walked over to her seat and settled down. ''I don't remember recruiting a new PA must have been Mike'' She sighed. ''So Shery, what are your qualifications?'' Sophia asked truly curious.

''More than you'' Shery replied as she too sat in front of Sophia and leaned back in her chair looking at her manicured nails.

Sophia did not say anything, she just glared at the old woman. She reminded herself she could not lost her temper with an old lady. She had to maintain a personal decorum and also respect her elders.

''Very well. I see you have a smart mouth, good. But don't get too smart with me ma'am for I am your boss'' She replies sternly and throws the can away in the trash. ''Then I have to discuss a few things with you I guess'' Sophia stood up from her chair and walked over to her shelf, ''These files'' She pointed to a huge stack of files which were more than 30 or so, ''I've been meaning to arrange then according to the date and importance. I'll mail you the list of our most precious clients and new ones too. I want this work to be done by today'' Sophia smiled at her sweetly and then walked back to her seat, ''You know Shery I don't get why I've been appointed a PA but since i can not do anything about it I might as well accept it''
Sophia looked at the lady, mentally groaning ''Also please button up your shirt, I will not pay you for whor- I mean goofing around'' Sophia picked up a pen and quickly jotted down something on a paper, ''This is what I like in my coffee and my afternoon lunch. Also it should be on time , you can go now'' With that she signaled Shery to leave.

Shery got up, still glaring at the woman in front of her. If she was still a Manhattan she would've shown this woman her place in a second. Oh how much she hated those Manhattans. ''Yes ma'am, is there anything else i can get you?'' She asked, rolling her eyes, clearly angry.

''Yeah you could get some class'' Sophia replied with a smile of her own.

Shery's mouth hung open at her words, but soon she composed herself not wanting to look like an idiot. Snatching the paper from her hand, she quickly walked out of the cabin clearly fuming.

Shery walked out of Sophia's sight knowing she had just ruined her first day with her boss. But she couldn't help it! The young woman reminded her of how old she was and also of how much she had missed out on her life, and for that the Manhattans will pay.

Shery looked down at her shirt, she too wanted to button it up but she had a task she needed to complete. she had to get the Finance manager on her side and that to soon, before Sophia spread a rumor about her behavior.

She walked over to Aaron Carter's room, making sure she had her make up fixed. Salvador has done  a thorough research about this man Aaron and she was told that Mr. Carter was into older ladies. He was into incest too, making love to his aunt who worked in a bakery every Saturday. She just had to wrap this man around his finger and that won't be hard.

With that she entered the cabin, and closed the door behind her.

after about and hour or so, the door opened again and Shery walked out fixing her skirt. She had a triumph smile on her face and her hair were a bit messy. It felt good having sex after years and that to with such a fine man. She made sure he craved her touch and she too enjoyed herself. Selling her body was not something she wanted but she had fun too, so she did not mind.

Now that she had that man on his knees for her she made sure she earned his trust fully and then complete her task. With that she walked over to her cubicle knowing it was almost lunch time and she had to deliver Sophia her lunch, that bitch.

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Sophia picked up her purse and stuffed her phone and charger inside. She looked at the time, it was almost 6 P.M now and she was late in picking up Serenity. But she called up Ceil and told him to pick her up if she's late. Serenity has been burdened with her dance classes, her school and her guitar classes but she refused to give any one of them up. Sophia made a mental note of buying something from KFC for her and having a small daughter mother time after so long.
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'OH MY GOD ARE YOU SERIOUS!' Sophia cried mentally.

Conner sat on the couch with Serenity in her lap as they played temple run. ''Hey'' Conner smiled at her and Serenity quickly got off his lap and came running towards her, hugging her legs. ''Mommy!'' She squealed. Sophia smiled at her and kept the packed on the floor and scooped her in her arms. ''Hey there bub, how are you?'' She asked and serenity smiled ''Mommy I'm good. I called Con-Con over because I was bored waiting for you to come back'' She sighed and looked at Conner ''Also he brought me Charlie my pet tarantula'' She cooed looking in a distance with awe.

''A WHAT?'' Sophia yelled, did she just hear some spider specie? He brought her daughter a spider?

Serenity nodded and quickly wiggled out of Sophia's grip. She ran over to the table and came back with a glass box with a damn Tarantula in it sitting like he owned the place.

Sophia watched with horror as Serenity looked at it with awe, ''Mommy I've always wanted a spider as a pet and then Con-Con promised me he would get one for me and he did! Look mommy it's so pretty''

Sophia curled her fingers in a tight fist and took a deep breath, ''Bub how about you take this thing away from me?'' She turned around abruptly ''Ceil! Jade! '' She yelled and after a few second a nervous looking Ceil walked in with Jade following him, she looked just as nervous. ''Take thing thing out in the garden!'' She pointed at the glass box with venom in her eyes, but quickly froze when she saw how sad it made Serenity. She couldn't believe her daughter would ever like a spider, a specie she hated with all her guts. She sighed, ''I mean go take it in the garden and play with it'' She said in a small voice.

Serenity jumped up and down with happiness, ''Con-Con told me you would not be happy with a spider but he was wrong!'' She turned around and stuck her tongue out at Conner. ''I'll be taking Charlie outside now '' She happily skipped her way towards the main door and then outside.

Ceil was about to walk when Sophia stepped in front of him, blocking him. Ceil looked down at her and gulped, Sophia looked like a witch with that dark look on her face ''You take your eyes off of that thing for one second and I'll take your eyes out of their socket'' She warned him and then stepped back. ''Now you may go'' She turned to Jade with an evil smile ''You too''

Ceil and Jade literally ran out of the house and soon some low voices could be heard  like ''Don't let him out'' ''Oh god she'll have out heads''  ''Serenity no!''

Sophia abruptly turned towards Conner and with three long strides was standing in front of him, poking his chest ''YOU!'' She hissed. ''Out of all the things you could've got her you chose a sick hairy bastard!''

''No I didn't bring Richard here'' He replied with an amused glint in his eyes.

Sophia was about to retort but shut her mouth, ''Good one''

Conner winked at her and she scoffed, but couldn't help the blush that crept up her now red cheeks, ''Why did you een get a spider for her?''

''First of all his name is Charlie'' He started, ''Secondly Serenity told me that she had always wanted a spider as a pet so I offered to help'' Serenity sighed and popped down on the couch, ''My daughter is now interested in a spiders, oh well great the next thing you know she'd want him to mate and make fucking spider babies''

Conner chuckled and sat beside her, ''I don't think so. Also it has a life span of just 15-20 years''

''What! It's not just 15-20!''

Conner shrugged ''It's not like he's going to jump on you while you sleep''

''What if he does?'' Sophia asked, her mind already imagining the whole scenario.

''Then I'll be there to protect you'' He smiled, not realizing what he just said had a totally different meaning. Sophia sat there shocked, wondering if he just said that and in what sense did he mean it.

Conner stood up from the couch and walked over to the packets, ''Go freshen up and I'll set the food'' with that he walked over to the kitchen. ''Don't be late'' He called out from the kitchen.

Sophia shook her head ''Now is not the time'' She told herself and ran upstairs to get changed.


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''Is she asleep?'' Conner asked as he peeked over Sophia's shoulder as she walked out of a room and closed the door behind her. ''Yeah, i guess she's exhausted because of playing with that nasty thing'' She sighed and walked towards the kitchen ''I want that Charles out of my house''.

''Charlie'' Conner corrected him as he walked over to the counter and leaned against it, ''Atleast remember the name''

''I don't have to remember his name, He eats freakin' crickets for food!'' She held her hands up in exasperation, ''Where the hell will I get him that?'' She tool a glass and walked over to the fridge. Taking out a bottle she poured herself some water and drank it quickly.

''Well I guess you don't have a choice than to accept him as a new family member, Mr Charlie Dixon''

Sophia narrowed her eyes but kept her mouth shut, no use of saying anything to him.

Conner looked up at the watch, ''Guess I'll be leaving now'' He pushed his body off the counter and stood up straight, towering over Sophia. Even from a distance she could smell his musk scent, it was heavenly.

''Sophia,'' He stepped forward wanting to be as close as possible and at the same time not wanting to scare her off, ''I don't know for how long I can wait'' He lets out a small sigh.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, ''What do you mean?'' She asked,but she had seen way to many serial to know where this was going.

In in instant, His hand flew around her waist as he pulled her closer to him, his minty breath fanning over her face, ''This'' And with that he crashed his lips with her's and sucked on the softy. He gave her a gentle kiss, which was slow and just right to make her understand what he meant.

He knew his patience was running thin, he couldn't wait to have her in his arms for the rest of his life, but for the deeds he had done, he had to wait, he knew it, he knew fully well it but it was so hard. Staying away from her when she was this close, it was driving him crazy.

He stepped back, a little breathless. ''I'll be leaving now'' He gave her a half-smile and walked out of the kitchen and then the main door , not before telling her to lock it. Sophia stood there as her fingers trailed over her lips, she was shocked and happy at the same time.

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Salvador flipped through the pages of the newspaper, he had just gotten off the phone with Alison and she told him that she had Aaron Carter in her control, also she asked him to send over a car because she would be going out with him tonight. Salvador warned her to go somewhere secluded and not get caught by any colleague to which she laughed and hung up telling him not to worry.

He was getting sick of her behavior treating him like they were partners. She needed to know they were not partners or friends, she was just a pawn in his game. He got up from his chair and walked over to his bed and popped down. It was another tiresome day and he was successful in stealing another precious client from those Manhattans. His company was now getting more and more powerful by the second and he loved it. He took off his shoes and socks along with his shirt and tossed them aside. He got into bed and pulled the duvet around till his waist level, his delicious eight packs on show.

Salvador looked at the ceiling, his eyes getting glossy. He remembered the time when his little sister would run around the house with her brown teddy in her hand and he would pretend to be a monster chasing her, it made her smile. But he also remembered that dreadful day when..

''Listen up Savy and my little munchkin'' Mr. Diaz bent down and ruffled their hair, looking at them with a soft expression. ''I have some people coming over today and they have a kid whose your age, try to befriend him and Salvador'' He looked at his son with a smile ''Be in your best behavior. If you're good I'll let you go to the carnival''  Little Salvador looked up at his father and nodded his head vigorously ''Yes daddy'' With that he held his sister's hand and walked out of the dining room, following his father. 

Salvador stood next to his father as he held his little sister's hand in a protective grip.

''Mr. Manhattan!'' Salvador looked up to see his father walk over to a man and held his hand out for him to shake, but the man pulled his father in a hug instead , ''No formalities you moron'' He chuckled and the lady beside him cleared her throat. ''Don't swear  in front of the children''' She warned him.

And that's when Salvador's eyes landed on a child looking lost. He was around his age and he was dressed just as casually as his father.

''Xavier honey go introduce yourself'' His mother ushered him forward, Salvador's heart melted from her voice. It was so warm like a mother's voice should be. But unfortunately he had lost his mother 3 years ago and he hardly remembered a thing or two about her.

The kid named Xavier walked over to Salvador, his steps confident. ''Hello, I'm Xavier'' He held his hand out for him to shake. Salvador looked up at his father who nodded and ushered him to take his hand. Salvador smiled at the boy and shook his hand, ''I'm Salvador''

And then..

''I'm Sapphire'' A soft voice spoke from beside Salvador. Salvador turned his head to look at his sister who looked at Xavier with awe.

Xavier smiled at the girl, ''Nice to meet you Sapphire'' He turned to face his mother, ''I think I'll be fine mommy'' To which everyone laughed.

And from that day onward they became the best of friends, Salvador and Xavier did everything together. From  pre-school to high school  and then college, they were like two brothers and everyone around them knew how close they were. If Xavier got in a fight Salvador wold take the blame and vice versa. There was no separating the two of them


Everything was going well till Xavier and Sapphire fell in love. After that, everything changed...