Tell Me The Truth, Sophia!

(FMO)Chapter 4

Ace

(Tell Me The Truth, Sophia!)

Annabelle's funny attitude since today has been nothing short of irritating and annoying. 

She acted like she didn't know me and Noah. She called Tina, Albie. She froze when I kissed her earlier and now she was rude to uncle Damien. 

They used to be cool with each other. 

“My apologies, uncle. Annabelle hasn't been herself since today.” 

“No hard feelings, Ace. I know your wife's a good kid.” He said while taking a sip of his drink. 

“Thank you. I promise to have a word with her later.” 

“No sight of your mother today?.” He asked with a knowing look on his face

“You know she doesn't approve of Annabelle so I thought it would be better not to invite her today.” 

My mother hated Annabelle because she was from a lowly family with no background and strong back story. 

I picked Annabelle up on a rainy night by the roadside on my way to the hospital two years ago. Noah was just a three month old baby then and was down with a fever. 

Despite being fussy and difficult to calm down, he instantly got attached to Annabelle and that's why I took her in as my assistant and my son's caretaker. 

“I know my sister, Vivian, can be a pain in the butt sometimes. Forgive her.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he stared further off into the hall. 

I followed his line of vision and saw Carter walking out of the restroom while fixing his pants and not long after Annabelle walked out looking nervous and scared. 

What is going on?

The MC announced that it was time for the couple's first dance and I excused myself before approaching my wife. 

“Why did you take so long in there?”

“I needed a moment, Ace.” 

“I can't seem to shake off the feeling that you're not happy. Are you getting cold feet already?.” 

It's no secret that since today she has been out of it and her mind has been all over the place. 

“That's not true.” 

“Then why are you sneaking out of the restroom with my brother? And why did you freeze when I kissed you?.” 

“Ace, I'm not in the right frame of mind for this. I don't want to do this with you.” 

“Fine then. We'll continue this at home then.”

The night slowly came to an end with Annabelle being in a bubble all through. She managed to squeeze out a few greetings here and there but that was it. 

Nothing else. 

After uncle Damien and Carter left the party to retire for the night I too thought it would be best if Annabelle retired for the night as well. 

I hope that by tomorrow she will be her normal self. 

We walked into the mansion and she gawked at the sight of it like she had never seen it nor been here before. 

“You'll be sharing a bed with me tonight, right?.” I asked her. 

“Huh?.” 

“Why do you sound surprised, wifey? Wasn't that your plan, hmm? You convinced me that it was better to wait till after the wedding.” I reminded her. 

Why was she acting so different from her usual self?

“I'm sorry, I must have forgotten. First, I need to freshen up, where do I sleep?.” 

That question threw me off-guard. 

“Annabelle, what is happening to you? Snap out of it. You moved your things into my room yesterday, don't you remember?.” I shook her by the shoulders gently to bring her back to earth. 

“Well, I told you I'm not Annabelle, right?! I'm not your wife!.” She snapped at me. 

“Here we go again with this nonsense! Have you been seeing your brother again?! Is he feeding you pills?.” I said in anger. 

She looked taken aback for a second. 

“Why won't you listen to a word I say!.” 

“Because you're talking nonsense! Things that literally make no sense and that aren't real! .” 

“You're a blind man if you can't see what's right in front of you! I am not Annabelle. I am Sophia!.” 

I was about to respond before my phone rang in my pocket. 

“We're not done here.” 

She didn't say a word as I picked up the call. 

It was from Prestige Hall. 

“Hello, Mr Hartford.” 

“Hello, Manager.” 

“Congratulations on your wedding first of all.”

“Thank you. Is there a problem?.” I really wasn't in the mood for the small talks. 

“Yes, sir. We're calling to inform you that the explosion unfortunately destroyed your luxury penthouse suite, sir. 

Be rest assured that we will renew the Prestige Hotel as well as the Prestige Hall to be bigger and better than it was before. 

I would also like to apologize for the tragedy which would have occurred had you not switched venues last minute. 

We are deeply sorry and honestly apologize for any inconveniences this might have caused you.” The manager said, 

Everything was a blur to me at first before the events of today started to flood my eyes, ears and brain. 

It all pointed to one person. 

Annabelle. 

Or whoever she claimed to be. 

How did she know that a tragedy was about to happen?.

“An explosion?.” 

“Yes, sir. Six bombs were planted around the hall and reception area and unfortunately we lost some of our staff as well when it went off. It's all over the news, Mr Hartford.”

My legs carried me to the large television in the living room as I switched it on and true to his words, the whole place was in ruins. 

It looked nothing like how it was when we left there. 

So, we all would have died today and nobody had a clue?

“Mr. Hartford? Are you there?.”

“Yes, I am. I'm deeply sorry for the accident and if there's any way I can help out please don't hesitate to let me know. My condolences to the family of the victims.”

“Thank you, sir.”

As soon I hung up I marched over to where she stood awkwardly and grabbed her by the forearm. 

“Ow! Let go of me!.” 

“Who the hell are you and what did you do to Annabelle?!”

“Ace, let go of me! You're hurting me!”

“How did you know that there was going to be an accident at the hall?!”

I needed answers and I needed them now. 

“I told you already that I'm not Annabelle but you wouldn't listen. I dreamt about it” 

She's clearly hiding something. I can see it in her body language. She knows something but she doesn't want to say it.

“Are you playing with me, woman? Do you think you can walk into my life and play me for a fool?.”

“I don't know what you're talking about, I'm not hiding anything! I saw it in a dream and that's the truth.” 

“Tell me the truth, Sophia!”