Chapter 5 ; Split

Another day had dawned. The rays of early sunlight lit up the streets and brought a pearly glow into the sky as the chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in. It's the most important day of Sophia's life. She wasn't a coffee drinker, but she lost sleep last night thinking about her new job and the opportunities that awaited her. Even though her boyfriend wasn't still in full support, Sophia was still determined and focused.  It was just 6:30 am and Sophia was already up, and anticipating her new job. She can't wait to meet new people and make friends, too. She opened her wardrobe to select the best dress to complement her position as an office assistant but was lost and developed a headache. She found none of the outfits worthy enough. 

Finally, she caught a glimpse of one, a beautiful red gown. 

  “This fits perfectly,” She smiled in excrement and stood in front of the mirror to admire her beauty. After applying a slight make-up, Sophia dashed to the living in her high heels. She was completely unrecognizable.

 “How do I look? Beautiful right?” 

She asked Joanna, who didn't even recognize her at first.

  "Wow! Stunning and gorgeous. You could pass for a runway model. I could barely recognize you. Where's your company's address? I could come to visit you someday. It'd be so boring without you,” Joana folded her arms. Sophia hadn't departed yet, and Joana was already missing her. They've known each other since they were kids, and now she'd be home all by herself with no one to talk to except Shawn who is still rooted in deep slumber after he came home late last night heavily drunk. 

 "It's at Mendez close. Just a few miles away from our neighborhood. I love it that way, at least I won't have to spend too much on transportation.”

  "And what about Shawn? Has he approved of it?”

   "Who gives a damn about his opinion? I'm only focused on my new job. I'll be back soon. Don't miss me too much,” Sophia blew Joanna a kiss and hit the road, searching for a cab heading to her destination. Not long after her departure, Shawn rushed downstairs shirtless. “I heard you talking to Sophia a while ago. Where's she now?”

  “Relax, Buddy.  She left already. I thought you two already talked about it?”

  "Talk about what? We both slept in separate rooms last night. Where did she go?"

  “Where else? To her new job, of course. I hope you're not trying to stop her. Because It's never gonna happen. She's long gone,”

 "Watch me do that!” Shawn rushed to his room and returned all dressed up.

 “Did she disclose the address to you? What am I even saying? Sophia is your cousin. She tells you everything. Would you be kind enough to pass me the address?”

  "What are you gonna do with it? You are beginning to sound so obsessive right now. Just let it go.”

 “Never, I won't. I'm going out there to find her myself. To hell with the address.” Shawn disembarked and hit the street, searching for Sophia to trail her movement. His instinct tells him She was lying about the whole job thing. He believes the offer was too good to be true. After wandering for minutes, he finally spotted Sophia on the road waiting for a cab. None of the cab drivers seemed to be familiar with the address. 

  "Who goes to work dressed like that and exposes her body?” he bent his head to avoid being seen. Suddenly, a Jeep parked in front of Sophia, which left Shawn puzzled. 

“I knew she was cheating on me."

   Mathew stepped out of the jeep and hugged Sophia so passionately. Shawn immediately brought out his phone and took photos of them hugging. That was the moment he's been waiting for. 

After gathering enough evidence, he went back home, joyously knowing he had accomplished his mission.

  "I told you. It was too late already. I'm sure she'd be performing her duties right now as the new office assistant,” Joana vouched for her cousin and mocked Shawn for wasting his time and energy chasing shadows. 

  "Not so fast, my dear. Can you recognize these people in this photo?” Laughing mischievously, he showed the picture evidence to Joana.

 “Holy Grail! This isn't true.

 I can't believe my cousin lied to me about the job.” Joana screamed after seeing a photo of her cousin hugging a strange man.

  "Do you know that man?” With enthusiasm and anxiousness, he asked. Judging from her reaction, he could tell Joana knew about the mystery man. 

  "I'm surprised you don't know him. That's Matthew Callaghan. The same man who drove us home the night we were stranded. He was still the same person who bought Sophia that golden necklace,” Joana further disclosed, leaving no stone unturned. To her surprise, Shawn didn't react. He quietly walked to his room and shut the door.

.

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 . It's 9;30 pm and Sophia hasn't returned from work. This troubles Joanna and Shawn so much that they stay awake in the living room awaiting her arrival. “Can you explain this attitude of hers? She isn't even returning my calls or yours,” he paced around the living room with his hands positioned behind. 

 "It's too early to conclude. She can't possibly ignore your calls or mine. What if she is In danger?”

 "Of course, you'll defend her. That's what families do.” Shawn gave Joanna an unfriendly gaze.  Moments later, a car zoomed off from the neighborhood. Not too long, Sophia walked inside and tossed herself on the couch, ignoring Joana and Shawn. “What a hectic day it has been. I'm so exhausted. I need a hot bath," 

   "Where the hell are you coming from at this time, and who was that man? I mean, the one that just dropped you off. I bet it was the same guy who was hugging you so passionately this morning.  Don't you dare lie to me because I've got proof? Start talking now before I lose my temper, you prostitute,” Shawn blasted Sophia and thoroughly washed her in front of Joanna.

 “Hey, that was extreme. You shouldn't have called her a whore,” Joanna intervened and berated Shawn for the nasty things he said to her cousin.

 “ If he had a job, he wouldn't be running after me like a stalker.,” Sophia mocked Shawn and defended her actions. 

She didn't even feel sorry or apologize for the unruly behavior. Shawn was pained, betrayed, and heartbroken.

 He pounced on Sophia and beat her to a pulp. Leaving her with bruises. Not even Joana could rescue her cousin. With her last strength, she managed to give Shawn a heavy kick in his balls, leaving him unconscious on the ground to nurse his pain.

Before he could regain consciousness, Sophia had escaped from the house and ran straight to Mathews's mansion. She doesn't know him yet but her safety is important now.