What We Once Had.

Sophie picked up another pack of carbonated drink filling up their shopping cart to its brim,Jayden couldn't help but giggle excitedly.Everything has been perfect since their arrival in New York City two weeks ago.

He had settled in so well and even made a new friend few blocks away from their apartment so quickly.His excitement had doubled when his mother had announced that they were going shopping that afternoon.He had jumped into the car and fastened his seat belt before Sophie could get the chance to nag him to do it.

Sophie on the other hand hadn't felt lighter since Alex’s coincidental call to Emily on the exact day they arrived,she had made Emily pick it and was relieved when all he called for was work related,her impending photoshoot for his father's company commercial.

“Mum, look up, he is staring at you.”

Jayden's words jolted her out of her thought.she looked in the direction of his pointed finger and her eyes met his,the pack drink in her hand fell,she felt her breathing pause and her heart thumped loudly.

There he stood like the demigod incarnate he was,

Alex Thompson! Her nemesis!

She impulsively held Jayden's hand closer to hers as Alex approached with a huge smile on his face.

“I wasn't dazed,it is you, Sophie.”

His eyes ravaged through her body and then landed on Jayden who watched on with keen interest.He could see Sophie motherly protective instinct towards Jayden with the way she held his hand,he didn't need to ask,he just knew,

That she had a child, their child!

“Hi little man.”

He said to Jayden and Sophie managed to find her mute voice,she had to struggle to keep her breathing as shallow as possible not to give off her nervousness.

“It has been a while.”

“Of course,it has,I almost couldn't recognize you except that your flawless beauty is timeless.”

His flatter made Sophie’s cheek burn up but she stilled her face, wearing her expression as neutral enough as she could muster.

“Thank you.” She responded simply and turned to leave when Alex bent down slightly in front of Jayden who stood frozen there watching the adults suspicious reunion.

“Hi little man,I am Alex.” He said with an outstretched hand and a warm smile.

“Alex! My dad?”

Jayden's declaration sent shivers down Sophie’s spine as her eyes met Alex’s and he wore the same shocked expression at Jayden’s bluntness.

“Did mum tell you that?” Alex questioned suspiciously but Sophie stopped Jayden's planned response halfway.

“We have to go now!”

She started dragging Jayden and pushing the heavy shopping cart with all the force she could muster.She had to get away from Alex! She had to get her son away from him.She fought back the tears threatening to evade her eyes as her memory of his forceful dragging out of her from his car surfaced.

His spiteful words, his furrowed brow,his sneer and disdainful look!

“Sophie, listen ... .I am sorry,okay, give me… a few minutes,we need to talk.”

Alex abandoned his own shopping basket and rushed after Sophie and Jayden.His cheerful smile had dwindled replaced by a pitiful expression but Sophie knew better than to allow his desperate plea.

“I am busy Alex, there is nothing to talk about!”

Jayden was smart enough to understand not to interfere,he had never seen his mother that fierce to anyone except those who try to bully him.He followed Sophie’s lead.When they got to the payment booth,she stopped and so did he,

Alex still didn't leave!

Sophie tried to ignore his presence then he did the irresistible,

He got on his knees!

All eyes in the shopping room turned on them, Sophie couldn't hide her embarrassment,he started apologizing profusely ignoring the piercing stares from the onlookers.Sophie couldn't help it,she agreed to spare him a hour from that afternoon if he could stop with the disgraceful public spectacular apology.

Alex concurred immediately and got up from his knees.He stood beside Jayden and waited for Sophie cart to be sorted, before she could pay,he stretched his credit card to the attendant and paid for everything she bought.

They got out of the supermarket and he helped her with the luggages till they got to her car.Sophie put a call across to Emily who agreed to look after Jayden,on Alex’s insistence,he got into his own car and drove gently behind her to Emily’s house.

After she dropped Jayden over,they made for their usual open drink spot close to an art studio she used to frequent.They sat at their usual corner facing each other,

Tension hung in the air masked by their silence but Alex broke it up calmly.

“It has been seven years but I remembered how you used to smile a lot when we came here,you felt like……”

“Go straight to the point Alex, ten minutes is out of the one hour audience I granted you is gone.”

“I am sorry Sophie,I was a dumb scumbag for treating you like that.”

“And?” Sophie said coldly.

“And I promise to make it up to you and….and our…son.” He stammered.

“Our son! If memory serves me right Alex, you outrightly told me to take the bastard pregnancy to its owner.”

“I am sorry Babe.” He said and tried to touch her but Sophie backed away instantly avoiding his hand.

Alex drew back with obvious pain in his eyes,he knew he had hurt her in the past but he needed another chance from her,she had resurfaced at the right time,the most perfect timing for him.

Two men walked into the space and took the chair opposite theirs, they exuded authoritative aura and their well tailored suit screams sophistication.Sophie wondered what they were doing in such a low grade open stall that didn't befit their appearance and possibly personalities.

“I told you George,they were no match for us.”

One of the men enthusiastically flaunting his sparkling white dentition.Sophie felt her eyes rest on the other man,the one called George and she was intrigued by his masculinity but something about him was oddly familiar.

“Sophie,you aren't responding.”

Alex’s desperate voice rang in her ear at about the same time when the man turned slightly and their faces met,she blushed sheepishly embarrassed and looked away instantly drawing back her attention to Alex who looked totally pitiful.

“What exactly do you want from me Alex?” She questioned sincerely.

“I want your heart Sophie.”

Sophie scoffed loudly “You mean the one you broke into bits?"

“I am ready to make amendments babe,”

He got down on his knees again but this time around,he dipped his hand into his inner pocket and retrieved a small box, opened it and flashed its diamond ring content in Sophie's eyes.

“Sophie Harris, will you marry me?”