chapter 5: Meeting her betrothed

Sonia returned home after cooking for her grandfather. She almost gave herself out, but was glad she quickly covered it up.

Entering the living room, the first sight that greeted her was a raging Mathew who was pacing the room like a hungry wolf waiting to devour its prey.

“Why did you disgrace your sister at the company today? You have issues with me, why must you take out your anger on her?” he asked in annoyance.

“Please don't scold her. I only told you what happened because you insisted.” Laura said as the peacemaker she was.

Sonia scoffed when she heard her. Only a fool like Mathew would fall for her pretense.

“You have sacrificed a lot for her, but what did she choose to repay you with? Imagine the insult on everyone. You're not to blame but your mother who didn't wait to install some manners in you before she disap___”

Mathew's words were cut short as Sonia kicked him in his groin sending him flying as he hit the painting hung on the wall.

“Mathew!” Laura called as she quickly ran to him, helping him to his feet.

Mathew glared daggers at her as he leaned on Laura. This wasn't the first time he had insulted her mother. He had expected her to break down in tears like she always does. Who would have thought that she would attack him?

Laura helped him to the couch before she reprimanded Sonia. “What has gotten into you? Why did you have to hit him?” Laura asked with reproach. She had always appeared loving to her, but not at the expense of her lover.

“You have broken mum's favorite painting also.” she added fuming with anger.

“I can't recall touching any painting.” Sonia said with a shrug intensifying Laura's anger.

“Don't exchange words with her. She's jealous that she couldn't have me. Let her continue wallowing in her hatred.” Mathew spoke up comforting Laura. He could only attack Sonia with their relationship for fear of being hit again.

“That reminds me, my grandfather has decided to cancel the marriage alliance. You should inform your parents so we can get it done quickly. It irks me when I think of being betrothed to a nonentity like you.” she said leaving their presence.

Mathew laughed out loud when he heard her. He believed she said that to save face for herself. According to her personality, she would have cried a river and had her grandfather forfeit the thought if the information was true.

Sonia entered her room and went straight to the shower before immersing herself with the company's affairs. She had bugged the company's system and noticed the abnormality which she traced to the accountant who happened to be Benita’s brother.

She spent hours on the company's data and only closed the system when she had enough information about the company plus she couldn't concentrate with the loud commotion coming from the living room.

She was certain that Laura already informed her mother about the destroyed painting and the commotion her appearance caused at the company and was already making a ruckus as expected. She swiftly left her room and went downstairs. Seeing them angry gives her comfort she couldn't pinpoint.

“Glad you came out yourself. What has come over you to defame the company's employees?” Benita asks immediately she sees her approaching.

“By employee, do you mean your lapdog of a brother? Don't worry I am sure he'll rot in jail when I am done with him.” she responded, flashing her an innocent smile.

“I know you don't have a mother, but that doesn't mean you should not respect others.” Laura spoke up as she glared daggers at Sonia. They were the only ones around, and she didn't have to pretend to tolerate her.

“Say that again and It might end up being your last utterances.” she said, her smile vanishing completely from her face.

“Do you think I don't know about your schemes? Or how you pushed me down the building claiming I tried to commit suicide? When I am done with you, you will regret ever coming after me.” she uttered with venom laced in her voice as she left the room.

The mother and daughter pair stared at her retreating figure, and they felt she had been threatening them after her return from the hospital.

Sonia left the house and went to the nearest bar. She hated it when they talked badly about her mother. Maybe because she never gets to experience a mother's love, or it was because she had promised the previous soul to help her get revenge, she couldn't tell.

*******

Benjamin scrolled through the collection of pictures in his gallery. It was mainly Anna's unaware pictures as she didn't like posing for the camera.

“After our marriage, we will have houses all over the world as I would be touring the globe.” he recalled Anna's words as he stared loving at the picture.

The lady he met earlier had insisted that she wasn't his fiancée, but he didn't believe her. He had secretly investigated her and knew her changes started after his fiancée's death. He didn't believe in reincarnation, but he was ready to compromise if it revolved around his fiancée.

“Ahhhh!” he pulled his hair in frustration as he picked his car key exiting the room. A drive around would surely alleviate his anxiety.

Benjamin drove around the busy streets of America that he lost count of time. It was late at night, but his drive didn't do any justice to his raging heart. Only his fiancée could take the pain he felt away. He missed her; her smile, her naughtiness, her complaints, he missed everything about her.

He hit his hand on the steering as his vehicle stopped abruptly. “Great! Just great.” he thought as he stepped out from the vehicle.

“A good time to run out of gas.” he said to himself as he abandoned the vehicle moving to the bar across the road.

The first sight that caught his attention was the lady behind his present predicament drowning down alcohol as if her life depends on it.