Chapter 2

I started wandering around again, looking for the man who made me forget my name for one freaking night. I pouted when I didn't see him. There was no any sign of the gentleman who caused the soreness in between my legs. I gasped before I walked back to the living room.

"Sofia!"

I stopped when finally, I heard mom's voice. Okay, I was just in the right house, my future house to be exactly as my mom was so persistent in pushing me to live with her and her boyfriend.

I spun around until my eyes landed on my blonde, beautiful mom. Her charcoal eyes smiled at me as she grabbed my hand and pulled me with her.

"Mom!" I tried to stop her but she kept on pulling me. I was taller than her and way more voluptuous. I guessed I was stronger so I made my body heavy until I was able to pull my hands away from her.

"Mom, I just came here for you. I don't wanna do anything---"

"Oh come on! You have to meet him, Sofia." She brushed my curled red hair. "I'm sure you're gonna like him and he'll be your dad so---"

"Mom, stop it." I gasped as I rolled my eyes.

She glared at me. "Haven't we talked about this? Sofia, this is not the right time to be stubborn, okay? Act normal and behave. You're gonna meet him, one way or another."

I sighed in annoyance and found myself no choice but to let mom drag me somewhere. We stopped in a group of people, encircled while talking and laughing. Mom tapped a man's shoulder who then turned around and faced her. The man wrapped his arm around mom's waist as he kissed her on the lips. My eyes widened. I looked around and no one seemed to be making it a big deal.

"Sofia, I want you to meet Franklin Elordi. Franklin, this is my daughter, Sofia." Mom's eyes were gesturing me to behave.

I sighed before I offered my hand to him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, mister Franklin." I wanted to puke, big time.

"Oh, Sofia, we're gonna be family soon, you can call me dad." We shook hands and good Lord, I wanted to squeeze his hand so bad that his bones would be cracked.

I sighed, controlling the mixed emotions, almost exploding inside my chest. I looked at mom, showing her how annoyed I was through my eyes. She looked down as she thinned her lips. Oh no, what? We were just gonna be awkward for the rest of our life? I puffed a breath again to calm down.

"Oh, I've heard so much about you." I smiled as my voice almost sounded sarcastic.

They both giggled. Someone offered us drinks while holding a tray. I grabbed one for myself. It was a beer as I smelled it. I lifted the cup to my lips, but before I could even take a sip, I heard that familiar baritone voice again.

My eyeballs almost fell on the floor as I saw the man walking towards us, but then he stopped when someone approached him. They exchanged a few conversations and my heart was thudding loudly for some unknown reason. What the hell is he doing here?

He continued talking to a man but then he glanced at me! His eyes landed on my widened eyes and oh, good Lord, he just saw me! He tapped the man's shoulder before he started walking again towards us.

I swallowed deeply before I looked at mom, laughing with Franklin.

"Mom, can I have a word?" I asked as I placed my cup on the nearest table.

My heart was thudding like a suspenseful sound in the movie as the man was approaching nearer to us. Someone would often greet him, so he was stopping from time to time, thank God.

"Excuse us." Mom kissed Franklin's cheek before she grips on my arm as she pulled me away from his boyfriend.

I then continued walking, far enough from the man I had one nightstand with. Mom followed me until we reached a corner where only a few people were hanging.

I leaned on the wall, facing mom as I crossed my arms over my chest. "I hate this! You clearly know that I hate this idea, mom! I don't even wanna live with that guy! I don't want a da---"

"Sofia!" She scolded. "You haven't even met Franklin. I'm asking you to give yourself a chance to know him. Yes, he is not your dad! But he is willing to treat you like his own little child. Give him a chance!"

I slightly closed my eyes, calming my aching heart.

"Sofia, I know this is hard for you and I know that I have made lots of mistakes as a mother but I'm asking you to try, at least try to understand me, us... I love Franklin, Sofia."

I tucked some strands of my hair at the back of my ear as I puffed a breath. "I have nothing against Franklin, mom. Love him all you want and even live with him, but me? I don't know, maybe I could just try to find my own apartment. I mean I'm an adult and I have work---"

"You're gonna leave me behind?"

"No, mom. I can live near your place so we can still visit each other often."

"Sofia, why rent an apartment if you can stay here." She looked around the house. "Here in this mansion for free."

"Mom, it's not about how big---"

"You know what? We already talked about this. Give me time, Sofia. Please..."

I looked up as I placed my palms on my face. I sighed and nodded. How could I even resist my mom? The one and the only woman who raised me so patiently on her own.

"Fine, mom. But I'm telling you, I'm an adult no---"

"Yes, I know sweetie. I can clearly see where you're coming from. I understand. But for now, can we just enjoy this party?"

My lips thinned as I nodded.

She smiled. "Go on, I suggest you eat first. There's tons of good food in the kitchen."

I turned around to leave my mom alone. It wasn't that I really wanted to eat but I really just wanted to have space from her. I went straight to the kitchen to grab some food.

"Hey, can you hand me that hotdog?" A cute little child appeared beside me. She was tiptoeing, trying to reach the hotdog with a marshmallow on a stick.

I smiled and gave her one.

"Thank you!" She giggled before running to exit the kitchen.

I faced the food once again while I have one plate in my hand.

"So, who are you?" The man who took my virginity just stood beside me!

I thinned my lips as I didn't bother to glance at him. I acted busy putting some pasta on my plate. I then sat at the nearest available table. I gulped when he sat parallel to me and he just literally sat there, quietly, watching me as I eat.

I sipped on my wine before I had the courage to meet his eyes.

"Who are you?" I fired back. "And are you seriously just gonna watch me eat?"

He chuckled but didn't utter any word.

Fine. I put my glass back on the table before I stood and walked away from him. I was done with my food and now I didn't know where else to go.

I have reached the corner where no people were hanging out. The man then grabbed my wrist as he pinned me to the wall. My heart pounded loudly as he stared at me deeply. He even stepped closer to me, our chests were nearly touching.

"How dare you leave me in that hotel room by morning?"

I swallowed deeply. I left that night while he was still sleeping. And so what? I didn't know it would be such a big deal. I even clarified to him that all I wanted was someone who'd break my virginity, nothing else, nothing more.

"We were both gonna leave anyway. It just so happened that I was the first one to wake up." I shrugged, pretending I wasn't tense right now.

He moved closer and I pulled my back harder on the wall. He leaned down and placed his lips next to my ear. "You think so?" His warm breath travelled on my skin.

"Yes," I swallowed deeply. My throat was feeling dry and just hearing his voice made my stomach clench.

He moved down with the tip of his lips travelled to my jaw down to my neck. My body hair shivered. "I don't think so," he whispered huskily.

I squeezed my eyes closed just as I remembered we were in my stepdad's house, at a party.

I took a deep breath before I pushed him lightly. He was heavy and firm but he moved back a little, giving me enough space to breathe while both of his hands were on the wall, caging my body.

"What's with the attitude now, huh?" The side of his lips rose.

I looked down at his lips but immediately looked away. My face was heating in embarrassment. I remembered how I was so reluctant last time when I was with him.

"What attitude?" His eyes were some kind of a hypnotic poison, I was melting. "I don't understand what you're saying, and about our last night, perhaps my actions there were due to the alcohol, you know, I was drunk."

Oh good Lord, I wasn't good at making conversations. Did I sound defensive? I wished not.

"Really huh?" He whispered again as my throat got drier.

I took a deep breath as I stood straight and lifted my face, faking my confidence. "Yes, for real." I then walked passed by him.

That was it. I was done here. I looked for my mom to say goodbye as I really couldn't endure staying here for longer. Although, I wanted her to know that I respect her choices and even though we were disagreeing with each other most of the time, I still wanted to support her. Besides, her boyfriend looks decent and rich. I was only hoping she was in the right hands now.

"Mom!" I called when I saw her talking to someone.

She smiled the moment her eyes landed on me. She then excused herself to that someone before she faced me.

"I'm done eating, mom. I should leave."

"What? This early?" She pouted. "Stay a little longer, sweetie. Besides, Franklin and I want you to meet someone, your brothers to be exact."

"Brothers?" My brows crossed.

"Yes, Franklin's sons."

"Mom, you didn't tell me---"

"Oh, there she is." Franklin appeared and wrapped his arm around mom's waist. "Sofia, I want you to meet Hans, my son."

I looked at the guy standing beside Franklin. He was a teenager and his face was familiar. It was like I had seen him before, his features.

"Nice to meet you, Sofia." Hans offered his hand and I accepted it.

"She's gonna be your sister, Hans. Be nice to her. Where's your brother anyway?" Franklin looked around before he lifted a hand. "Vance, ger over here!"

I was faking a smile as I travelled my gaze at the one Franklin called but my lips started shaking when my eyes landed on the man who had just taken my virginity. He fixed his grey polo and loosened his tie as he walked toward us and when he stopped beside Franklin, his eyes quickly looked at me.

"This is Vance, my eldest son. Vance, be nice to Sofia, treat her as if she's your real sister."

My lips trembled more and so were my knees. What the fuck?! I looked at Vance from head to toe and he was really the man I just had sex with. Oh no, this is wrong. This is totally wrong!

Did Franklin just say sister? Real fucking sister?! Oh, this was gonna be so messed up.