I arrived at work with a negative mindset after all that happened last night. I was startled out of my reverie by a knock at the door. After wiping away any stray tears, I invited the person inside. The door, which was black and polished, opened to see my secretary hiding behind a vase filled with a variety of flowers. Her slender frame was concealed by the big vase. “Your mother is on line one, Ms. McAdams, and this just came in for you.” She informed me, setting the porcelain vase on my desk, then hastily left without saying anything else. Who sent me flowers?At the same moment I needed a pick-me-up, excitement sprang within me at the idea of someone caring enough to bring me such a delightful surprise. I excitedly made my way to the vase that had a petal pink design with a hint of pale yellow; the two colors swirled in the bottom and rose up in a curved line to the vase's tip. The flowers were a unique combination of daisies, tulips, and thumb-sized roses; the many hues of br
Arriving forty-five minutes late had this night starting off terribly as we entered the dining room filled with guests already eating and my mother's soft caramel eyes burning a hole through me for being late. Dinner had stretched out to my horror as people I hadn't seen for years since that fateful day, had the nerve to ask how I was doing, all while having a smile on their faces as if we were old college buddies meeting at the grocery store. Pushing my frustrations about this whole night away I replied as nice as I could but even I heard the icy tone in my voice.While I was glaring at anyone who dared to glimpse my way Ethan sat beside me chatting happily to the people around him, as if they were lifelong friends.The fact that he spoke to these leeches with ease irked me, some of these people were people I grew up with yet I could have never held a conversation with them as long as Ethan did. He made a joke and the morons laughed, while I stabbed at the perfectly arranged vegetabl
"Married?!" I pushed myself out of my seat."Sophia, please sit down," my mother said in a soft concerned tone. I immediately regretted my sudden dramatic action from my seat.“You’re getting married?” I said, in shock.Married.Married, my sister was getting married, and to that lying bastard. Adam Scott, Rachel's ex-boyfriend. Since we were young, Rachel Samson was both of our best friends until one night, I got drunk and ended up in bed with her boyfriend. To make it worse, Adam went for my younger sister when I told him I no longer wanted to see his face ever again. That’s right. He turned both of the McAdams sisters into his mistresses at some point.You could only imagine how shameful that was, and because of that I’ve changed. I told Rachel everything and went clean. I completely accepted all the consequences that I deserved to face, and worked my way to be a better person. Up to this day, that one bad decision continues to bite me in the ass.Marriage?“How could you do this
"More like it's a lie." she snorted turning her nose up on me."It is not!" I argued feeling like a child. "Both of you sit!" my mom demanded cutting Stacy off.Why do I keep putting myself in these types of situations? Do I hate her or myself? Why must I lie? Whatever I did, it’s too late to undo that now. So I should go along with it. Great going, Sophia! You just gave yourself am even bigger headache. We both sat down silently, knowing better than to respond to her. "All right, no more argument," she murmured, her gaze falling on me as if I were the one to blame. I crossed my arms and bit my tongue, knowing that if I didn't, my mother would give me an earful later.After a day of watching my mother and Stacy pore through bridal magazines and talk endlessly about the ridiculous wedding, I was exhausted and ready to retire to bed. When Stacy asked if my so-called "boyfriend" was coming to the wedding with a mocking sneer, I didn't rush over the table and hit her; instead, instead of
“Where the hell will I find a fake boyfriend for tonight?” I asked myself early in the morning. I got out of bed and went along with my daily morning routine. The boyfriend thing is gonna be my problem later. Right now, let’s focus on work.I reached for my phone, smoothing away any wrinkles in the grey pencil skirt, and noticed a few messages from the office. I sighed and looked down at my silver wristwatch, which showed that I was always on time. Precise timing was essential for me. I'd never been late for anything before, and I wasn't about to start now, especially with three manuscripts on my desk that needed to be edited.I was well recognized in the writing industry for elevating any class B novel into a New York Times best seller as an editor with little patience for laziness or cheap rip-off novels written by amateurs who had just graduated from college. Now, I have my own company, but I decided to move to magazines. It took a long way to get here. All of my achievement happen
My beige heels landed on the marble floor as I entered the office carrying the proposals for next marketing strategy, enjoying the way the sound reverberated down the empty hallway. I have a respectable position in the company, however I am aware of how disliked I am for my moody behavior.The smile on my face disappeared as I emerged from behind a set of silver doors and the all-too-familiar pairs of eyes flashed towards me before sinking to the ground below. The chatting and laughter abruptly stopped as I passed through the partitioned passageway between the innumerable workstations lining up behind one another like dominoes.My own task needs to be completed. If these folks don't like me, I don't care.Some muttered as I passed by their stations, but no one dared to look me in the eyes since I knew what they were muttering about.Me.I had heard some coworkers refer to Sophia McAdams as "the queen witch of the east herself," but over the years I had developed the ability to block ou
"Where is he?" I looked down at the clock on the wall.Although my mother and Stacy were scheduled to come at any minute, the guy has yet to show up. I strolled into the kitchen to check on the pasta I was cooking, I grinned, and then shut the oven door as the cheese melted on top. Henry had called to ask if I could meet a potential client, and I'd been delayed in getting home, so the supper was a last-minute fix. I had no way of declining, of course. The only other fattening ingredients I could think of were whole milk rather than skim, three different types of cheese, and baking some garlic bread. After tonight, try fitting in your frock, I thought menacingly as I silently thanked the cooking show from which I had gleaned the recipe for the wicked rendition of a delectable dish. As I lowered the oven mitts, there was a knock on the door. He has to be here! I halted as I skipped approached the door and fixed my favorite black evening gown with golden accents. My breasts and a letha
No, no! Simply put, things are growing worse by the minute. Can't I take a five-minute break? My eyes opened when my mother extended a pale hand to greet Ethan and introduced herself with a smile that was all too lovely. Ethan shook her hand, a sexy half-smirk forming on his lips, and dropped his mouth to kiss the slightly wrinkled skin on her hand. My mom's face turned bright crimson, and she rolled her eyes like a teenager. "Ethan Ricci. neighbor of Sophia, "He responded, his voice dripping with that alluring charm, "Crap, crap, crap!" What shall I do? My mother gasped in shock as I handed Ethan the keycard as I rushed forward and pretended to smile. She was standing in the spot where it seemed like I should be holding his hand, but I was actually secretly shoving my fingers into his palm and yelling at him to leave. “So this is him, then?” Stacy questioned in amazement and disbelief, her one thin brow arched. "He is extremely attractive. He's just how I envisioned him to be,” M
Arriving forty-five minutes late had this night starting off terribly as we entered the dining room filled with guests already eating and my mother's soft caramel eyes burning a hole through me for being late. Dinner had stretched out to my horror as people I hadn't seen for years since that fateful day, had the nerve to ask how I was doing, all while having a smile on their faces as if we were old college buddies meeting at the grocery store. Pushing my frustrations about this whole night away I replied as nice as I could but even I heard the icy tone in my voice.While I was glaring at anyone who dared to glimpse my way Ethan sat beside me chatting happily to the people around him, as if they were lifelong friends.The fact that he spoke to these leeches with ease irked me, some of these people were people I grew up with yet I could have never held a conversation with them as long as Ethan did. He made a joke and the morons laughed, while I stabbed at the perfectly arranged vegetabl
I arrived at work with a negative mindset after all that happened last night. I was startled out of my reverie by a knock at the door. After wiping away any stray tears, I invited the person inside. The door, which was black and polished, opened to see my secretary hiding behind a vase filled with a variety of flowers. Her slender frame was concealed by the big vase. “Your mother is on line one, Ms. McAdams, and this just came in for you.” She informed me, setting the porcelain vase on my desk, then hastily left without saying anything else. Who sent me flowers?At the same moment I needed a pick-me-up, excitement sprang within me at the idea of someone caring enough to bring me such a delightful surprise. I excitedly made my way to the vase that had a petal pink design with a hint of pale yellow; the two colors swirled in the bottom and rose up in a curved line to the vase's tip. The flowers were a unique combination of daisies, tulips, and thumb-sized roses; the many hues of br
When I looked down, I could see that the spider had already started to climb up the toilet, stretching its long legs slowly and deliberately. Every trembling breath that left my lips caused my chest to heave up and down, yet I refrained from screaming. My pulse was racing in utter panic when I heard another thud on the bathroom door. I took a deep breath and put my hand over my racing heart as I prepared to rip the thief's eyes out. I then fixed my eyes on the creaking door. If I let some weirdo kill me in my own restroom, I'll be damned! I waited for the intruder to enter and then I would move, but when I caught a glimpse of a hairy leg on the toilet seat and then another, my perfect plan fell to pieces. As I walked backwards stuck between the spider and the intruder, I yelled louder than I've ever done. The door began to tremble once again before swinging open to reveal a bare chest, which Ethan covered, quelling my screaming. I can honestly say that I have never been happier to
I gathered my brunette hair into a high bun and threw my hands to my side, feeling worn out and angry at Cass. “It was not a date,” I said once more. "You guys were together all day, right?" she asked. asked “Yes, but...” She interrupted me as I was about to say something I knew I wouldn't like with a tskk. "Did you have lunch together?"Switching the cellphone to my other ear I pouted my lips following her twisted train of thought."Yes."What sounded like a clap sounded from thebackground "Honey, that's a date.""No, it isn't." I retorted frustrated by what shereferred to as logicAs I had promised, I told Cass all about the shopping trip we took yesterday with Ethan. I had anticipated that she would think something amazing had happened, but all that had actually happened was nothing, and Cass continued to press the matter. Although I wasn't planning to tell her about the awkward moment when I measured Ethan because I was afraid she would read too much into it, it didn't help
A tiny old man approached us, and I pushed off the tiniest bit of jealousy I was experiencing when I saw Jessica. The man's bony shoulders protruded against the striped dress shirt he was wearing because of how skinny he was. If not for his belt, his pants would have virtually fallen off of his hips. His beady brown eyes were like chocolate, and he had hollow cheekbones with white stubble down his jaw. tiny, sparkling drips.Ethan welcomed the skeletal man, "Brad." Shaking his hand, greeting him, "How are you?".“Can't complain, how is your dad doing? the man asked. questioned with a husky voice “He's...doing better," Ethan said as his smile faded and he took his arm back. “Who is this beauty?” Brad asked as his eyes turned in my direction after seeing the change. I greeted everyone by holding out my hand and said, "I'm Sophia McAdam."The older man ignored my outstretched hand and wrapped a bony arm over me. My ribs were cruelly pierced by his elbows, but I endured the momentar
I snarled at the phone that was resting on my dresser, "And then he had the guts to yell at me! Can you believe that?"When I got out of the shower, Cass tsked on the other end, asking if I wanted to accompany her on yet another baby buying binge. I replied, "No, I can't." I detailed my plans with Ethan while she was on speakerphone, which her sick mind misinterpreted as something filthy.After addressing her, I described how I sent for clothes for him after she left my office, his mini-tantrum, and then his abrupt leaving, which made me a little nervous.I got to my feet in a pair of black wedges and stood up, delighted with the appearance I had created. Cautious yet a little dressed up, but not enough for Mr. Sex in Jeans to make fun of me for dressing up for him. I sported a black and white striped top with a silver zipper at the back, a pair of light blue skinny pants, along with a matching necklace and pair of silver dangling earrings. I put a slim watch with a crystal cover on m
I let out a happy sigh as I let go of my heels and then untied my hair from the scrunchie that had been keeping it in place all day. I carefully padded over to the refrigerator to look for something to eat because I wasn't quite in the mood to cook. Despite the fact that I postponed my appointment so I could leave early for home, Jacob called as I was leaving and asked me to review the contract that an editor from another department had signed with a new customer. I was able to make minor changes to the contract without changing it much after an hour and a half, and I faxed a copy to Jacob. He was satisfied with my work as usual. When I pulled out a spoon after deciding on strawberry yogurt and shut the refrigerator, there was a loud banging on the door. When another bang rang, I dropped my under-nutritious dinner and hurried across the living room. Before I even spoke after opening the door, a big person swept by me and entered the apartment.I responded in a less than friendly man
It's safe to say that yesterday night wasn't entirely terrible. I woke up to a fresh article published about me. “Is Sophia McAdams in a relationship?”A photo of me with Ethan's arms around me as I leaned into him was placed next to the absurd question. I recognized the photo from when he was relating the exaggerated account of how we met and pointed it out. They were preoccupied with Stacy's engagement at the time they took this photo, right? I glanced to the next page where there were more photographs after being startled by the unexpected snapshot. One of Ethan has both hands on my butt and his arm around my waist while looking intently at my cleavage. Even a picture of us leaving the ballroom was there, with the following written next to it: “A Quickie Break” The post discussed the absurd tale of our thanks to Ethan's stupidity, they met. Quotes from bystanders who claimed that we were becoming heated while, in fact, I was withdrawing Ethan's errant hands from wherever they had
The older woman's cheeks flared into red and she turned her fiery face away. As all the other women who approached Ethan did, I quietly rolled my eyes and berated the old woman for her awful attempt at flirting. They batted their eyelashes and shamelessly threw their hands all over him. I raised the tiny champagne flute to my lips and took a tiny drink. "Oh Ethan!" a mother's friend said, giving Ethan a not so subtle wink. "Your one lucky girl Sophia, how long have you been together?""Four months." I answered with a sweet smileEthan said, his thumb slinking down my hip, "Four hot months." In an effort to get rid of his hand, she tangled her fingers together and silently warned him by giving his fingers a severe squeeze. The man with the silver hair teased, "Don't say that around her father. I looked away from the group of elderly people while softly snorting at the ridiculous remark."Sophia is her dad’s favorite. They get along the best," my mother said to Ethan. “I guess I cou