CHAPTER 1

SOPHIA 

What could it be? 

I wondered as my phone chimed and I took it up with my eyes engrossed in the screen

‘Meet me in the sitting room right now, Sophia.’ 

The text message sounds very urgent. I got up from the bed and I tied my gown around my body. 

“I'm here Dad,” my voice struck into his reverie as he sat on the couch with his shoulder slumped, he gave a sharp inhale as he stared at me with his eyes shadowed in frustration. 

What might be wrong with him? it should better be something measly, I thought. 

“Sophia I called for you because you will be getting married to Damian in a few days.” He huffed then cringed his head in shame as his foot kept tapping the floor slowly. 

My body stiffened as my eyes widened.

Unbelievable! 

With a confused look, “What? Is that a joke? I don't understand why telling me this out of nowhere,” My voice quivered. 

He slowly looked at me with his head slightly raised, “You have to Sophie, consider me, else I will end up in jail.” 

I stood right in front of Dad, my armpits growing sweaty and my eyes reddened with tears, “Daddy you can't do this to me, I don't know this man you are talking about here, please, I can't.”

“You have to understand that, I'm your father and I must tell you it's hard for me to do this, it's not my intention to give my daughter's hand in marriage like this. You are grown up and you have seen what I have gone through trying to settle investors' money since the company crashed. Please do this for me,” His calm voice was full of frustration. 

I know my Dad has done more than enough for me since when I was a kid. I know he loves me and won't let me get into danger, I tried within me to make up my mind for this he is telling me right now but it seems to be a hump one can't quickly jump over. 

I gulped hard cleaning the tears that trickled down my cheeks, “I can't Dad” as I ascended the stairs running with my hand covering my mouth since either me or my tears wanted to burst out. 

I hastily got into the room and slammed the door almost immediately, leaning at it as I looked into the space with different thoughts running through my head, as I stood frozen and my breath coming in heavy gasps. 

“Sophie, please open the door.” 

I contemplated whether I should open the door or not, then I decided to go with the former.

I opened up just to see my Dad looking at me anxiously with his hands crossed over his chest and his brows creased 

“Please, my daughter I'm begging you, you have to do this for the sake of our family, my name, your dad,” with the look in his eyes I knew this was my fate and I had to accept it but it's not that easy. 

I just need time to process the whole situation. 

“Dad, don't worry I have to go look for a way to get the money we are going to pay them, if it means collecting a loan I will do that I swear and as time goes on I will be working and paying before you know I'm done, I said abruptly in my hoarse voice which happens as a result of my weeping. 

He stared at me as he heaved a deep sigh and then shook his head. 

I know his reaction is him indirectly telling me he doesn't believe in me but I have to try. 

“Sophie this has been done already and the money I'm supposed to pay you can't get such an amount from doing menial jobs.”

“What are you saying, Dad?”I looked at him in disbelief, waiting impatiently for what he would say next. 

“I have been in talks with Damian for some time now,” he shook his head them averted his face, “He has paid the investors that's why I'm here with you, Sophia,” he returned his gaze to me, “ else I would have seen today behind bars” 

I opened my mouth to express myself but I froze because I couldn't find the words

“S-So I-I'm g-getting married t-to D-Damian?” I muttered as my heart raced in my chest

He flicked his eyes quickly at my face, “Yes Sophie,” as he puffed. 

“We signed the agreement yesterday, I'm sorry to let this happen to you, Sophie” a tear rolled down his cheek, “ I know, I have failed as a father but please bear with me I'm sorry.”

My heart kept rising and falling in pain and my breath seized in my throat like I got hit with a ton of bricks. 

“Dad, I have dreams of my own and Jimmy loves me. You can't do this to me” I yelled with my fist clenched. But Dad just stared at me blankly with emotions shadowed on his face. 

I'm grown up now and I have dreams of my own and a man I love to crown it all. I'm not ready for marriage, talkless of an arranged marriage with some kind of Billionaire I'm not acquainted with. 

Dad took a few steps towards me as he slowly hugged me, he messaged his hand at my back, as he heaved a slow exhale,

“Sorry, Sophie,” 

I slept on the bed with my face covered in my soggy pillow, which got wet as a result of my weeping.

“Hello Mr. Davies, my Boss, Mr. Damian asked me to bring this.” 

I hastily got up from the bed making sure I knew who it was. I snuck to the door making sure no one heard the sound of the door creaking in my effort to see what was going on in the sitting room.

“What is it?”

“The wedding dress,” the voice calm yet low-pitched 

Dad collected it from him and he left. 

Heck! This is happening very fast. Is this a dream or what? I'm sure I'm dreaming right? I pinched my neck and it hurt as I exclaimed, "Eww,” so I am not dreaming, it's for real.

Sophie,” Dad's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I stood lost in my dreamland. I gave him a ‘what is it’ kind of look with my puffy red eyes.

The wedding dress is here you have to–” He stopped when he noticed I quickly rushed to my robe, searching through my clothes as fast as I could so I could get dressed into something good and my breath seemed uncontrollable.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing, Dad,” I rushed into the bathroom and changed into my blue con gown. I got out and his gaze followed me everywhere I went, surprisingly.

What are you up to, Sophie? He

growled astoundedly but I picked up my handbag reluctantly, staring at him as I did not explain. 

“Sophie, come back here,” He yelled.