SOPHIA'S POV
“Come on, Sophia,” Samantha gently touched my arm. “Drink up. It’s your birthday, babe. You need to celebrate.”
“I don’t want to, Sam. I’ve never drunk before, and you know that, no?” I frowned at her.
Sitting at the bar, I stared at the glass in front of me. It’s my birthday, but it doesn’t feel like it. My heart felt too heavy to care.
“Exactly! There’s a first time for everything.” She grinned and slid the glass closer. “Just one sip. It’ll help you forget about that jerk, Fred.”
Fred. His name hit me like a punch to the gut. I bit my lips and tried to hold back the tears that had been threatening to fall all night. I don’t want to think about him. About how I caught him making out with another woman.
“Sam, I don’t know if this is a good idea, but I don’t think drinking is going to help.” I slightly pushed the glass away.
“Trust me, it will,” she insisted. “Just let loose for once, Sophy. You deserve it after everything that happened.”
I glanced at my other friends, Kelly and Miya, on the dance floor, swaying to the music. They looked carefree, lost in the moment. I wished I could be like them, I wished I could just forget everything.
“I really can’t believe he did this to me, three years, and he just threw it all away.” I couldn't man up the courage to hold back my tears as they fell freely on my cheeks.
“I know, sweetie. He’s an asshole. But sitting here moping won’t change what he did. You need to enjoy your night. You’re 22 now! Let’s have some fun.”
I stared at the drink again, maybe she’s right. Maybe I should just stop thinking about it. About him. I took a deep breath and lifted the glass to my lips.
“That’s the spirit!” Samantha cheered, patting my back.
I winced as the alcohol burnt my throat. It was stronger than I expected, and it made me cough a little.
“It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’ll do the trick.”
“I really thought he loved me, Sam,” Tears welled up in my eyes again. “I thought... we had something special.”
“I know you did, babe. But guys like Fred... they don’t deserve your love. He’s the one who messed up. Not you.” Samantha sighed, rubbing my shoulder.
“Why? wasn’t I enough? I thought we were happy together.” My voice broke.
“Sophy, you are more than enough. He’s just... a scumbag. He didn’t see what he had. That’s his loss.”
“I walked in on them, Sam. I saw him with an ugly lady. She wasn't even as beautiful as I am. And he didn’t even try to stop. He didn’t even look sorry.” I sobbed.
“God, Sophy. I’m so sorry.” She looked at me, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Let’s go dance, Sophy. It will help you forget your pains for a while.” She changed the topic.
“No, I... I can’t. I don’t feel like dancing.” I quickly shook my head, wiping the tears off my face.
Kelly and Miya came to drag us to the dance floor, but I insisted on not dancing. All I needed at that moment was to be left alone.
The alcohol made my head spin a little. It dulled the pain just a bit, but not enough.
The more I drank, the more the memories of Fred cheating on me flooded back. Fred and I were supposed to be together forever. That’s what he always said. And now, it’s over. Just like that.
Suddenly, a soft voice jotted me back to reality.
“Mind if I join?”
I blinked, my vision was blurry, but I could make out a tall figure, a faint smile on his lips.
“No, I don't mind, It's a free world after all.” I mumbled.
He pulled out the seat next to me, the bartender brought him a drink, and we sat in silence.
“How could you do that, Fred? After everything? After all the promises you made?” Fresh tears began streaming down my face.
I began to tilt, my body weak and unsteady, and suddenly, I fell against him.
Before I hit the ground, I felt his strong arms caught me. He held me by the waist, and for a second, I was too overwhelmed to even move. Slowly, I lifted my head, and through my tears and blurry vision, I saw Fred. Fred’s face.
“Fred…” I called, touching the man's cheek. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t live without you.”
“I forgive you, Fred. I know you cheated, but it’s my fault... I never... I never gave you what you wanted. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Fred. But I’m ready now. I’m ready to be with you.”
“Miss... I’m sorry, but I’m not…” He tried to say something but I quickly cut him off with a kiss. I felt my lips warm against his.
“Shh…” I deepened the kiss, kissing him harder this time. “Please, Fred... I need you. I want you. Don’t push me away.” I felt my tears wet on my face.
He tensed up at first, but then he relaxed, his hand still on my waist, pulling me closer.
His arms tightened around me, and I felt his lips responding to mine now, his body pressing closer to mine.
“Fred…” I moaned against his lips, my fingers sliding into his hair.
“Let’s... let’s go somewhere. We can talk there... or we don’t have to talk at all. I just... I just want to be with you.”
He hesitated for a moment, his breath warm against my skin, and then he nodded.
“Okay, fine.”
We clumsily walked out of the club. My legs barely held me up as we left for the nearest hotel, in his car.
Inside the hotel room, I was lost in my fantasy, calling the man “Fred” as we undressed each other while still kissing passionately. I was left in just my panties and bra.
Cute moans left my lips as his hands moved to my behind. He grabbed and rubbed my butt through my panties before giving it a little squeeze.
His tongue kept licking my chest till he got to my breast. He unhooked my bra and sucked my left breast, squeezing the right one like his life depended on it.
He slightly pushed me to the bed and pulled down his trousers. He laid on top of me, brushed off the strands of hair on my forehead and tugged it behind my ears before locking his lips with mine again. I rapidly responded to his kiss, and at the same time, slowly tucked my fingers into his hair, giving it a smooth massage.
“Fred!” I released a moan as he took off my panties, and threw them to God knows where. He wasted no time in inserting a finger into my p***y.
“Mmmmmm. Fred…” I let out a soft moan.
I couldn't stop moaning loudly as he pleasured me, but the effect of the alcohol dulled me as my blurry vision began to fade off.
And I passed out…
SOPHIA'S POV The buzzing of my phone woke me up. My head ached so much that I felt like it was splitting in two. I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. My eyes suddenly dilated when I realized that I wasn't in my bedroom.‘Oh my God!’“Where am I? This isn’t my bed!” I began to panic as I reached for my phone which was lying on the floor. It stopped ringing as I made to pick the call.“15 missed calls?”“Holy Molly!”I looked at my side, only to see the sleeping figure of a man, half-covered by the sheets, his back to me. He had a beautiful tattoo on the upper part of his left arm. I couldn't see his face. I tried to recollect what transpired between us, and the memories of last night came rushing back. The club, my friends, the drinks, the bar, the kiss, the hotel. Then the….“Oh, shit!” I freaked out as I realized what I had done. I slept with a stranger, thinking it was Fred? ‘Oh jeez! Sophia, what have you done?’I felt a sharp pain in between my thighs as I dresse
THE GRAHAM GROUP PLC.DAMON'S POVOne of the best black shiny limousines I own, stopped in front of my company's headquarters. The chauffeur came out and opened the back seat door for me. My foot, on a pair of black shiny shoes, first stepped out of the car before the whole me came out.I was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, with my black hair neatly combed to the back. Immediately my guards and my Personal Assistant, Mr. Leo, set their eyes on me, they all bowed their heads.“Morning Sir” They chorused.I nodded to their greetings and entered into the company, with them following suit.The lobby was bustling with activities. Some employees scurry by with papers, while the lazy ones busied themselves with gossip. They all stopped their activities and bowed when they noticed my presence.“Good morning, sir”“Good morning, boss”With my eyes focused ahead, I ignored their greetings as though they didn't exist. My expression remained stern and unbothered, all business.
GOD'S WILL ORPHANAGEDEBRA'S POV“Ma'am Debra's here! Ma'am Debra's here!” The cute little angels excitedly rushed forward immediately I stepped out of my car. They formed a small, energetic crowd around me.I knelt down, smiling warmly at them. “Hello, my darlings! I’ve brought something for each of you.”“Yeeehhhhh” They jumped up happily, and I found my lips smiling at their innocence.My driver and two bodyguards brought out the large bags filled with food and toys I brought. My guards took the bags of raw food to the storeroom while I began handing out the toys to the kids.“Look! I got a football!”“I got a new doll!”“Mine is a drawing board!”“I love puzzles!”They all gasped enthusiastically and their faces lit up in pure joy.“Thank you, Ma'am Debra! We love you!” They bowed gratefully.‘Awwwn! Such cutie pies!’“Every time you come, you bring more smiles than I can count.” Mrs. Rose Beckley, the head matron, approached from behind as she watched the scene with fondness.“It
DAMON'S POV“Marry me, Miss Sophia Clark.”“W-what?” She stammered.“You heard me. Marry me.”“Mr. Graham… you can’t be serious.” She tried to find her voice, though it came out barely a whisper. “Why... why me?” Her voice trembled.“I need you to marry me.” I cleared my throat. “A marriage in name only, of course. A contract. It wouldn’t be real.”She shook her head, still stunned. “Mr. Graham, I… I don’t understand. Why…why would you ask me to do something like that?”“I’ll pay you £10 million if you agree to marry me, for a year. All you have to do is sign the contract, and pretend to be my wife, only in the presence of my family.”Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak.“£10 million will change your life. I know it will. And for me… well, let’s just say I need to show my family that I’ve settled down. That I’m capable of ‘commitment’. I practically spat the word. “But it’s all for show. You won’t be involved in anything beyond the paperwork.”I studied her closely, noticing the w
SOPHIA'S POV“I’ll marry you. Just… Please save my Hayden.” My words barely escaped my lips, and I couldn't bring myself to look Mr. Graham in the eyes. My hands trembled as they clutched at my clothes.“I'll talk to you later, buddy” I heard him hang up his call. “Stand up, Miss Clark” he said, his voice deep but surprisingly soft, as though he pitied me. My legs wobbled as I struggled to get back to my feet. “Thanks sir. I…I'm ready to marry you. Please, I urgently need the money you offered.” Not even the full amount.“I heard you the first time, Miss Clark. I knew you would come running back to me for help after you ran out yesterday.” He smirked.His words disgusted me.I thought he pitied me some minutes ago? Was it just an act?“By the way, who is this Hayden?”I was about to reply when he quickly cut me off.“Your boyfriend? Ohh! He's so unlucky you're sacrificing your love to save his life” He laughed.“He's not my boyfriend. Hayden is the name of my…” He cut me off again.
SOPHIA'S POVI stepped out of the cab, feeling the morning breeze against my skin. It was my wedding day. I chose to wear a simple, cream-colored dress I could afford for my fake marriage. As I made my way to the entrance of the marriage registry, I saw Mr. Graham standing by his car. He was dressed in a black suit. He looked every bit the powerful and handsome businessman he was. As usual, he wore a stern expression, “You’re late, Miss Clark” he said as he pocketed his phone.‘Aren’t I just five minutes late?’ I hissed inwardly.Without a word, he turned to one of his bodyguards who gave him a curt nod. The guard stepped forward, opening the trunk of the car. He pulled out a large white bag and gave it to Mr. Graham.“What’s that?” I asked, confused.“A dress. Put it on.” He handed it to me.“What?” I blinked.“You can’t wear that,” he said, motioning to my simple dress. “It’s not fitting for the occasion.”“This is a fake wedding, Sir. It doesn’t matter what I wear.”“It does,” he
DAMON'S POVI clenched my fists as I watched Miss Clark run off after her conversation with whoever it was on the phone. My family was confused by her sudden exit, which left them in shock. My mother’s voice cut through the awkward silence.“Who was on the phone? Why would she leave like that without saying anything?”I could feel their eyes on me, expecting answers. But I had none.“I don’t know,” I muttered through clenched teeth, frustrated. “Damon, you have to call her!” Linda, one of my cousin sisters, insisted. “Something might be wrong with her.”“She’ll be fine,” I replied, my voice was colder than I intended. How was I supposed to do that when I didn't even have her number. “You all should get going, it's getting late. I’ll let you know when she’s back.” I needed them out of my house. I couldn’t deal with their worries and questions.“Are you sure, Damon? This is your wife we're talking about here. Shouldn't you be concerned?” My mom asked, worrisome written all over her
SOPHIA'S POVI woke up on a plush bed beneath me. I had never slept on such a large and comfortable bed before. It was different from the bed I used to share with my kids at the orphanage. I felt like I was floating on this new bed of mine.My first morning in this mansion was as if I woke up in someone else’s life. Mr. Graham’s life, I suppose. The happenings of the day before rushed through my mind, but before I could think too much, a gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.“Come in,” I called out, then sat up.The door opened and three maids entered. They bowed as they greeted me. One of them carried a tray of food. “Good morning, Mrs. Graham. We’ve brought your breakfast,” one of the maids said softly, placing the tray on the table beside the bed.‘Mrs. Graham?’ I almost scoffed aloud.I raised my head and looked at the clock. It was barely 7 AM. ‘Isn’t it too early for breakfast?’ I thought. But I quickly waved the idea away, forcing a small smile.“Thank you” I murmured, feeling