Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“I heard you bought the shares of Holiday Wines and married Sophia Brown. Have you gone nuts?” Brandon asked, sipping his wine after both the school friends met in one of the restaurants that Saul owns.

“Yes, you're right.” Saul forked a fish finger and lifted his glass of wine. Brandon saw every moment of his friend was measured. 

“Her company has the potential to improve, so I invested in it just like I had been doing all this while….helping the small and medium firms grow big.”

“Don’t tell me stories. I am your friend and I have been seeing you since our school days. Why do you think you rubbed your nose with that evil head and also married her? Brandon asked in shock. 

“This is ridiculous. I was glad her company was sinking. And you? I thought you were a wise man, Saul. Are you not satisfied with what she did to you in the past?” Brandon’s questions came pouring which disturbed the serenity inside of Saul.

“Okay let me go straight to the point. I married her for revenge. My ache is much more than you can imagine. I could not simply allow her to repair that sinking company. She is smart and she will bring that firm back on wheels and I don't want that to happen.” Saul had a spark of choler that was unrivaled.

“Do you think it's a smart move when it is at the cost of your own happiness? You have decided to keep your enemy under your own roof.” Brandon cautioned.

“There is no thrill in a game which has no challenges, my dear friend. I want to change her to a helpless woman with no self confidence, I want her to be like the dirt under my shoes and beg me to save her company. Only then will I get the satisfaction of a revenge on her.” Saul’s words were soft but the determination in his eyes to see Sophia mutilated was undaunted.

Twenty minutes later…

“What are you doing here in my bedroom? Get out!” He yelled and removed the covers she was having, waking Sophia all of a sudden in a confused state.

“Is this not our bedroom?” She asked him softly with fear.

“Our bedroom? I loathe to even touch your shadow. Sharing a room is a far gone option.” He spat his words on her with venom.

“Is this the same man who promised to help his wife’s business sail before the whole media and public this morning?” Sophia asked puzzled.

“It was only a show to keep my revenge and your dependence on me intact. I'm not a small-time entrepreneur born yesterday like you who makes sick excuses in court to save her face and keep her company working.” Saul’s eyes were going closed because of alcohol sedation. But suddenly he opened them and they landed straight on her as sharp as the eyes of a lion. “With how many men did you sleep to grant you time, hearing after hearing? I think you have been pulling on this drama for several years. How much more time do you want?

“Enough of your accusations on me. You have no right to speak about something that you don’t know and you have no right to determine my character.” 

Saul took a staggering step towards her. Fear dawned on Sophia spreading like a wild fire. With every step he took forward, she took two behind. “You are not in your right state of mind. Let us talk tomorrow.” She whispered while ignoring his sharp gaze on her.

Saul bent a little and looked her in the eye. It felt like something in him sparked and he immediately averted his optics on her. “Wrong choice of words. I have got all the rights for you. You are my wife.”  He fell on her like a predatory ghost and watched her with many emotions that she wasn't able to decipher.

Those eyes, whenever they met hers told a story about which she wasn't aware. They weren't necessarily all the time terrifying like he wanted them to be. Sometimes she felt he was hiding his love for her under the facade of anger. 

“Why are you silent? I know you are the biggest drama queen to act innocent and take control of affluent and powerful men. You use them  for your needs and later discard them like trash. Tell me how many men you slept with?” His question repeated and his hand on her upper arm was so harsh that it would have surely left its print on her.

Sophia hissed in pain. “You're hurting me. Leave.”

Only then did he realize what he was doing to her. Saul left her arm with a jerk and she had to take two steps behind to balance herself.

“You talk as if you know everything about me while our marriage is not even a day old. Why beat around the bush? Tell me why you are so irritated by me. Let's talk and end this forever because to the best of my knowledge, I'm seeing you here for the first time. I have also checked the old records of my firm. But we did not have any near or far connection with Waratah Vineyards. Why are you suddenly an unwanted intruder in my peaceful life? I know I don't suffer any amnesia or short term memory loss.” Sophia concluded.

There goes again….his usual way of avoiding things that he doesn’t want to discuss. “Get out of my room. Can't you understand English? I'm not your servant to make any clarifications to you. Be ready by sharp six tomorrow morning. We start our work early. And this is the card. Otherwise beggars like you are not even allowed to enter the premises, leave about joining my office.”

He closed the door behind her with a thud making her jump on her feet with trepidation. That was the worst humiliation she had ever received from anyone. 

Sophia burst into a cry falling on her bed. Her pillow was soaked with tears and did not know when she fell asleep.

The next day when she got up, it was well over eight. Damn! What is the fearsome monster going to do to her now? 

She is stumped!