Chapter 2 – No

Sophia Celastio

I couldn’t find my ring!

My ring was nowhere to be found. It disappeared. I can’t believe that I lost my ring. My grandmother gave it to me and asked me to take care of it. I’m a bad grandchildren.

I walked into the plane with my the worse mood ever. I can’t believe this happened. The ring isn’t that baggy when it attached to my finger so how can it slipped out?

I’m sorry grandma, I’m so so sorry.

The whole ride from LA to New York wasn’t that fun. I kept thinking about my ring, how am I going to forgive myself?

The encounter with Aaron made it worse. How could he be mad at me when it was partly his fault too? That asshole. After 5 hours and a half hourse flight, I landed in New York.

My dad’s man was waiting for me outside the airport to drive me to the hotel. Now, I have to get ready for the Charity Conference at 7. It’s 5 p.m New York time so I have an hour and half to get ready. I hate being late so I need to reduce 30 minutes for my trip to go to the venue.

I arrived in the St. Regis hotel, I got in and check in my room. I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. I walked out from the bathroom and dried myself. I dried my hair and curled it straight away. I put my make-up on and opened my luggage to check what kind of dress that I pack in this luggage.

I was glad to see my long sleeve grey bodycon dress, I took out the nude stilettos too. I put my dress on and checked myself at the mirror. I sighed big time. I sparyed some perfume on and took my black clutch out, putting thing that I need inside and walked out from my hotel room.

I went down to the lobby and my dad’s man was ready to drop me off to the Conference hall. The whole ride was tiring, I kept thinking about my ring. I blamed myself for this of course, who else.

“We’re here, Ms. Celastio.” My driver said and I got out from the car. I walked inside the building, the staffs asked for my name and one of them lead me inside. I started to look for my name on a small board in every seats. There’s a lot of people that came and I’m quite amaze.

“Sophia!” Someone called me and I found my friend Rose Hastington waving at me. I smiled widely and walked to her. I hugged her tightly.

“Hey Rose, it’s been so long.” I squealed.

“I know right! So how are you? You look stunning.” She squealed too.

“I’m good! You? So are you! You look sexy.” She was wearing a short black off shoulder dress, she looked so beautiful in that dress.

“Hello sexy.” Suddenly a guy named Maximillion Cesantio kissed her cheek and sneaked his arm around Rose’s waist.

“Sophia, this is Max. Max, this is Sophia Celastio.” Rose introduced me to him and I shook his hand politely.

“Sophia.”

“Max. Nice to meet you.”

“I can’t believe that I’m seeing you here.” She held my hands and squealed again. I chuckled.

“Me too! I miss you so much!”

“I mean it’s been 2 years since we graduated, we never contact each other.” Me and Rose went to Harvard together. We met at someone else’s party and became friends since we clicked. She lives in New York so it’s hard to see each other.

“That’s right.” I said and suddenly Rose turned her head to see someone she knows.

“Jean” Rose called a beautiful light brown haired woman. She walked towards us and I recognized her right away. I mean she’s a Victoria Secret model and Blake’s wife. Everyone knows her and Blake. She’s so stunning in her black one shoulder dress. She hugged Rose and then she turned to me.     

“Sophia, this Jean Samuel a.k.a Blake’s wife. Jean, this is Sophia, she’s my friend from college.” Rose introduced us.

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.” Jean said as she shook my hand. She’s really lovely and just overly friendly.

“Nice to meet you too, Jean.”

“Honey, I told you not to stay away from me. I kept slipping away from my arms.” Blake Samuel said as he held his wife. He kissed the side of her head and his eyes speaks everything. He adores her.

“Blake, I just came to say hi to Rose and my new friend, Sophia.”

“Blake, this is Sophia Celastio. Sophia, this is my husband Blake.” I shook his hand and smiled politely.

“Nice to meet you.” He said.

“I can say the same, Blake.” I said and the couple excused themselves to mingle with others.

“I thought your brother was the one who supposed to come here right?” Rose asked and I nodded.

“He’s in UK now, I was supposed to be at home watching Netflix with my blanket on.” I sighed and she chuckled.

“Me too but my brother forced me to come here.”

Suddenly the MC asked us to sit on our seat, we all went to our seat. I walked upstairs as one of the staff lead me to my chair. I thanked the staff and the Charity Conference quickly begun.

My eyes landed on someone that I never thought I will see again. Aaron Samuel was making his way to his seat and greeted a couple of people along the way. How could I be so dumb? Of course he will be here since Blake is here. They’re a family for bloddy sakes! My brain went error today.

The Charity Conference started and my mind was everywhere. I looked at the presentation blankly and completely out of my mind. They asked us if we want to donate and they gave us a paper to fill the amount that we want to donate.

The official letter will be send to our own company later on. I wrote down the amount that my dad messaged me earlier and the Conference finished not long after that.

“Thankyou for the donation, Ladies and Gentlemen, We’re so grateful that everyone participate this campaign. We’ll update ladies and gentlemen on everything by sending the official letter to the company. There’s a little party ballroom for ladies and gentlemen on the side from us to thanked everyone. Thankyou again and have a lovely night.” With that the Conference ended. I stood up and palnned to runaway before Aaron caught me.

Suddenly Rose held me and I turned to her.

“Where are you going? We need to catch up!” Rose linked her arms with mine and she pulled me to the other room. I wanted to protest but Rose is too nice and just.. I can’t reject her.

“So.. any boys?” She asked.

“Mind if I join?” Jean asked and I turned to her nodding.

“Of course.”

“The boys are talking about business and I don’t want to hear it. I might get a headache. I don’t even know what are they talking about.” Jean hissed and we chuckled.

“You still in VS right?” I asked and she nodded.

“I love that job, even though Blake told me to quit but I love the job to much to quit.” She answered.

“Blake’s just jealous because you worked with a lot of hot men out there. I mean you’re a model, you have a lot of naked photos while hugging another man.” Rose blurted.

“Trust me, he was cute when he’s jealous but as the time goes by he become more scary.” Jean said as she tok a glass of wine. Me and Rose took one too.

“What’s scary?” Blake suddenly appeared and sneaked his arm around her waist making Jean choked on her drink. Rose and I laughed.

“She watched a horror movie and it’s scary.” Rose saved her.

“You okay?” Blake patted Jean’s back and she nodded.

“You come without any warning, I was shocked.” She glared at her husband and Blake looked at her with adoration.

“I just miss you, is that a crime?”

“Cut the lovey dovey you two, I want to puke.” I felt anxious now since Blake’s here, Aaron might come around.

“Why so cold?” Max suddenly appeared and someone caught my eyes.

“Luke!” I called and he turned to me. His eyes widen and he walked towards us.

“Hey Sophie, how are you?” I hugged him briefly.

“Been good.”

“Hello sis.” He said to Rose and she rolled her eyes.

“Hello guys, mind introducing your new friend?” I froze when I heard Aaron’s voice. He stood beside Luke and he looked at me. He studied my face and I tried to hide my face but it was too late.

“You’re the girl that I bumped this morning!” I smiled awkwardly.

“Weren’t you suppose to be in New York yesterday?” Blake asked.

“I have something going on so I can’t leave LA.” He said and Aaron’s eyes never leave me. I felt so uncomfortable.

“I have to go, I need to make some calls.” I excused myself.

“But.. we haven’t catch up.” Rose looked at me sadly.

“Call me tomorrow, we’ll meet up somewhere.” I smiled to her and she nodded. I slipped away from them and walked out the room. I hate seeing that guy again.

“Where do you think you’re going, Sophia Celastio? I think we have an unfinished business.” His voice made me stop waking and I turned to him.

“Unfinished business?” I asked in a cold tone.

“The girl who spilled coffee.” He smirked as he put his hands to his pocket.

“I already apologized Mr. Samuel so I don’t have no unfinished business with you.” I scoffed and turned my body to walk away from him.

“Have a dinner with me tomorrow.” He stated and I stopped.

“No,” I answered without looking at him and started to walk again. Aaron caught my wrist.

“I never take no for an answer, beautiful.” He smirked and I pushed his hand away from mine.

“Then learn to take one.” I smiled sweetly at him and walked away again.