SOPHIA I sighed as my eyes fell on Lucas.This was the wrong time for him to be here. He glared at Ryan and then took his eyes off him as he got to me.He held my hand. “Are you okay?“I nodded. He turned to Ryan. “What are you doing here?““This is between Sophie and I. You don't get to ask me that,”Lucas snickered. “Well Sophia and I are getting married, so now it's you in between us,”'Say something to stop him.' But I didn't. This is the right thing. I reminded myself.Ryan scoffed in disbelief. “I'd like you to leave now,” Lucas replied.“Sophie-”I couldn't look in his eye. “You heard him. Please leave,”When I did get the courage to look up at him, my insides twisted at the disappointment and pain in his eyes before he turned and walked away.As the elevator doors closed with him inside, I felt my knees buckle and I had to lean onto the wall so I wouldn't fall.This really was it. It was over for good between us. Why did it hurt even more than the first time? This was why
SOPHIA A week later... SaturdayAnother long week had passed. A week that seemed to stretch on like a month.Nothing special had happened. I felt miserable the whole week but when I resumed the office, I pretended that everything was in perfect order and nobody seemed to notice the chaos my body and mind were in, nobody except Ryan.Throughout the meetings we had this week he had always had his eyes on me, and when I looked away and looked back he was still looking. Ariel and Rose, oblivious to what was actually going on, kept teasing that he couldn't get his eyes off me.If only that were true. Was it?If only I could bring myself to believe that it was.After each meeting, I'd practically run away so I wouldn't have to face him. And once I got back home too, I never left the house again.I know that was stupid and cowardly for me, but it was more comfortable for me to stay in that position than to face my fears and insecurities. My phone beeped as I started to tie the lace of my s
SOPHIASome hours later…I stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway that led to my mother's office. After that horrifying incident, I had somehow found my way home and I treated the cut on my elbow, putting a plaster over it. To cover it up, I wore a long-sleeved top on my jeans trousers.But I hadn't thought well because I'd have to eventually take it off in front of Mom when I had to try on the dresses which was what I didn't want.I took a deep breath when I stopped in front of the door. Let today not be as bad as it started. I pulled open the door and walked in.My mother was seated at the desk, documents scattered on the table as her eyes ran through them. As if just realizing someone had walked in, she looked up and immediately she saw me, I saw the slight surprise mixed with panic that flashed through her eyes. She immediately reached out and grabbed all the scattered papers.I narrowed my eyes at her action.What was she up to this time around? And what was she hidi
SOPHIA“Thank you for your time today, we will send you a mail in regards to your dress by Wednesday,” the attendant said as soon as I wrote down my number in the book she gave to meI nodded. “Congratulations on your wedding,” she added.I faked a smile. There was nothing to be happy about. “Thank you,” I said and turned around to meet my mother, who was sitting on the couch, waiting for me.“My next appointment might be on Wednesday,” I said as I got to her. She got on her feet. “That's convenient. I'll be free in the afternoon,”I raised my brows. “I don't need you to come with me.“She's never been present when I needed her to be, so why now?Was she just eager to send me off?She started to head out and I followed her.“I don't trust you. So, I'll go with you for every one of the preparations that Lucas won't be with you,”I shook my head.“Do you think I'll run away or something?“I wanted to. If Ryan gave me a good reason to, I'd not go through with this marriage. “Yes exact
SOPHIA An ear-splitting scream instinctively came out from me immediately I saw what was in the box. I quickly set the box on the table, staring in horror at the horrifying object in front of me.I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. Maybe I was seeing something wrong.When I opened my eyes again and lowered them to the box, it was the same.A white teddy bear with a small knife thrust in its middle, and red liquid splattered over it, ruining the white. I'd hope that wasn't blood.This was definitely not from Ryan. What even did this mean?Did it mean something bad? Of course, it looked like it did, but was it meant for me? Did it mean someone was trying to kill me?My mind did a playback of this morning with that attacker. I reached out to touch below the spot on my arm, I withdrew my fingers when I felt a sharp pain. I almost lost my life, but for some reason, he let me off. Was this from him?I recalled the text that said I was lucky I wasn't home that night.If the person te
SOPHIALater that night…I changed positions in my bed for the tenth time. I just couldn't sleep, a lot of thoughts were rushing through my mind, and even worse I was scared. When I tried to close my eyes, I saw the image of that psychopath cutting me with his knife and I remembered what was in the box, and any little noise I heard, made me scared.If he knew my house, what if he suddenly barged in, in the middle of the night?It was the weekend again, would there be another text?All those thoughts, thoughts of Ryan, and my marriage with Lucas, took turns to fill my head and keep me awake.I exhaled loudly and sat upright, pulling the duvet with me as I did.“Ugh I'm so tired but I can't sleep,” I groaned quietly.Is this my cue to move out of this neighborhood? Maybe if I was gone, I'd be free from that psychopath and even from running into Ryan on my free days.My phone's screen lit up with a notification in the darkness and I reached for it, laying down on my back when I picked it
SOPHIANot when I still felt like this about Ryan. “Have I said something wrong?“ Lucas asked softly.Oh gosh, I feel so guilty right now.“I'm sorry, Lucas,” I muttered. He had a smile on his face but he seemed clueless as to why I was apologizing. I wasn't even sure why.For one, I had thought he was suspicious when he was just being nice to me, and now I had agreed to this marriage and brought his hopes up for nothing.“Why are you apologizing?““For everything. And that you love me a lot, but I can't return that,”His smile dimmed. “You don't have to feel guilty or be sorry for not feeling the same way,”I nodded but didn't say anything.The rest of the ride was in silence, soft music from the radio filled the car. I wasn't expecting it when we arrived at the mall instead, because I thought we were just going to eat.“Aren't we just going to eat?“ I asked as soon as we stepped out of the car.“No, we are shopping. To make up for not being there for the dress testing,” I sighed.
SOPHIA “What do you mean by Ms Caddel?“She sighed. “She volunteered to pay half the price and told me to tell you that it was being listed for half the price,”I exhaled as I leaned back in my seat.“So what would have happened if I didn't decide to take it?“ She sighed. “She wanted me to convince you and she knew it was just your aesthetics,”I scoffed.Aesthetics indeed.“Thank you for telling me this Reya,”I grabbed my bag and was about to leave when she added. “Are you mad that she paid half without your knowledge, “To be honest,“Yes I am,” I faked a smile.Turning around, I stood up and headed out of the cafe. Just before I started to head to the apartment building, I sent a text to Zara.Thirty minutes later…Just remembering Reya's words was making my anger double. I appreciate that she cared, but sometimes you need to take a step back when someone tells you to. Why would she go behind my back and then lie to me?I heard the doorbell ring and I got on my feet, heading to
SOPHIA Five years later “Oh, Aimee, it better not be something that you can handle yourself,” I said as I walked into my office, with her rushing in behind me.“I'm here when I'm supposed to be getting gifts for Ryan since he's returning today. This better be good,”“It is,” I paused as soon as she said those words.I recalled the day the news came out about me.Those were the similar lines of words that I spoke. But now things are different. How much everything has changed from then, never fails to amaze me.I had reached and even exceeded what I never thought I would in my business. Though we've had some setbacks, I still didn't let it stop me. I had also given birth to the cutest little girl and she just turned four years old a week ago.I was the luckiest to have such a happy family.“What is it?““Jerls has agreed to partner with us,”I turned to her immediately. “Don't play with me,”She turned the iPad so I could read the words on the screen. “I'm serious,”“Wow,” I burst
Two weeks laterSOPHIAI was writing down all I needed to do for the day, on my iPad. My wedding with Ryan was already just a day away. We didn't want something extra, after everything that happened so our only guests were family members and close friends. I also invited the team from the office and Aimee.Apart from making preparations for the wedding, I was also preparing for the opening of my company here and I almost forgot how much it takes to put everything into place, especially since we didn't have a building yet.Ryan had offered to help with that but I refused. I wanted to do it on my own, and if I eventually found it hard, I promised to tell him.Also, after the wedding, I'd be moving in with Ryan. And we were leaving this building, to the house that he bought. It was just about twenty minutes ride from here. Since Aimee was staying with me for the next time, Ryan offered his apartment for me to use once we finally moved into the new house. And I was grateful for that.I h
TWO DAYS LATERSOPHIAI felt someone hold my hand and suddenly it felt like I was being pulled out of a deep hole. And then all of a sudden, I forced my eyes open and I was immediately welcomed with a bright light. I groaned as I tried to adjust to the sudden light I was exposed to.After a few seconds, I opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the white ceilings. I groaned a bit as I looked around, taking note of my surroundings and then everything came rushing back.I survived. I was alive and I didn't die. I looked down at who was holding me and a small smile formed on my face when I saw Ryan. His hands held mine tightly but he was fast asleep. I wonder if he slept at all. I didn't know for how long I was out.I slowly raised the hand he wasn't holding and gently brushed through his hair.At that moment, he raised his head a bit and immediately he saw that my eyes were opened, and his eyes widened.“Sophie!“ He exclaimed as he sat up properly. I smiled.“I survived,”Tears well
SOPHIA Two days later…Two days had passed since the release of the game and I wasn't even expecting the amount of success that it had but it was just perfect.Everything was working out well.We were currently having a team dinner. Even though I had quit, Ryan thought it only made sense that I was there, since I was a part of the project.Ryan got on his feet.“Everyone has worked hard and given their best despite the pressure and challenges that they faced,”“RSC won't be standing without our hardworking staff members,”“So I want us to pat ourselves on the back for working hard,”I smiled.“Cheers to the success of our project!“ Ryan said as he raised his glass. We all got on our feet too, raising our glasses.“Cheers!“We took turns to clink glasses and I clinked my glass last with Ryan, he smiled warmly at me and I returned the smile.We spent the rest of the night talking and we left almost at midnight.“See you tomorrow, “ Ryan said as he hugged me.“Are you scared?“ I was g
SOPHIAFOUR DAYS LATERI pulled up my hair into a ponytail and then began to climb the stairs to the top of the yacht I put on my slippers as I sat on one of the benches.The wind was blowing a lot but I liked it even more. There was just something beautiful about it that made me happy.I tucked the stray strand of her that was blown to my face, behind my ear.A few days had passed since Jake went on the news. There had been various posts talking about me and finally, I wasn't being insulted or ridiculed. I had also received countless texts and calls from colleagues and so-called friends who were quick to leave after everything came down, not wanting us to go out for lunch or talk, but I had politely turned all of them down.Now everyone was waiting for what I wanted to do next. I was even waiting to see what I would do.After sitting on the upper deck for a while, I decided to go to the back of the yacht to dip my foot in the water.It was the night before the start of a new year, a
SOPHIA“How were you able to find me?“ I asked Ryan as we got into his car, he drove closely behind the police.“Well, he was smart but not smart enough. We tracked the location on your phone,”I nodded. “Thank you for coming to find me,”He interlocked my hand in his.“It's the least I can do after you risked your life trying to get evidence,”“I'm proud of you, my little ninja,”I chuckled. Well, I was proud of myself too. I never thought I'd make it out alive. I didn't even spend one night in his house. “So, does this mean it's over now?“ I asked.He nodded. “He would get his lawyer and want to defend himself but we have the best lawyer in the state and enough evidence so yes, we can say it's over now,”“If he's in jail, the contract is no longer valid,”I exhaled in relief, and a small smile formed on my face.Finally, the peace I hoped for was here.'Not entirely, remember?' The little voice spoke in my head but I shoved them aside.It wasn't the time to think of that.I dozed
SOPHIA'My head hurts,' was the first thing I thought of when I felt myself regaining consciousness. I opened my eyes and had to squint them back at the sudden brightness.How did I get here? I tried to recall what had happened.I went into the kitchen to get a drink, and Lucas offered me a drink, I settled for orange juice instead, feeling myself getting dizzy, the smirk on Lucas face and then I passed out.I was in a huge mess. How long had I even been out?I looked around. I was in an almost empty room. The only thing in the room was an old TV, a worn-out couch, a rocking chair, and wooden table that had begun to wear out, and then the chair I was tied onto.Lucas was going far.How did he even find out? I was silent all through the time he walked in. Or was it my scent? Or was there a CCTV camera in the room?It had to be that. Shit, how did I not think of that?I looked around me again.This didn't look like I was in his house. Where had he taken me?The door opened and I looke
SOPHIA I put it in and surprisingly it unlocked and the door slid open. My eyes widened.Okay, this was crazy.I placed the picture back in its place and walked into the study room. The doors closed on its own.I found the light switch and flipped it on.There was a long wooden table with chairs, at the center of the room, like the ones in the meeting room, taking up almost all the space there.By the side there were two wooden chests, staying side by side, and then a shelf with glass doors. The shelf had antique objects like vases and cups in it so I didn't bother wasting my time checking it.I turned to the wooden chest instead. They looked like something that would have what I needed.I went on my knees and pulled it open.My eyes widened and my hands flew to cover my mouth immediately I saw what was in them.Freaking guns! How did he get this? Did he sell them? I opened the second one and I frowned when the first thing I saw were teddy bears and fluffy toys, but this wasn't th
SOPHIATwo days later…“You made the right decision,” Lucas said as I walked towards his car while pulling my luggage and holding one bag in my hand.I rolled my eyes.If only he knew what I had in stock for him. He'd regret ever liking me.He took my bag from me and placed it in the back seat and before he could hold out the door for me, I had already pulled it open and got in.I don't need his stupid act of service. He got in the car, started it, and drove off.“I'm surprised you agreed so fast. I was thinking I'd have to do one or two things to get you back on track,”Just one minute into the fake marriage I was already losing my mind and feeling like strangling him. I hope I won't blow my cover.“Don't worry I'm going to treat you better than any of your exes have,”Any of my exes? But he sent the second one as a spy and he's nowhere on the level of Ryan.“Oh, I see you don't want to talk to me,”It was better he caught on fast.“You'll come along soon,” he added and then turned