OMG!

Sophia's POV

I peered at my reflection in the mirror, grazing the faint red patch on my cheek with an ointment, my fingers petting the surface with dexterity. My skincare routine has to be on hold tonight, because I can't risk delaying my healing for even a day. Ointment it is, until all this redness is off!

"That bitch!", I cursed under gritted teeth, puffing out air in vexation. I stared at my reflection, the scene at the memorial coming alive again before my eyes. 

𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠..... 

"Miserable," I said in disgust, watching Bella's retreating figure as she made to exit the hall. But she heard me and stopped in her stride. I scoffed. "You should know where to throw your cheap self next time; don't just jump into any altar like a lunatic," I spat. 

I saw her clench her fist in annoyance and I raised a brow. She deserved it. She was nothing but a cheap fool who seized a tiny opportunity to tie the knot with my brother. Just to earn our name as a Hayes.

Finally turning to face me, "What did you just say?" She asked, her heels clicking ominously as she made her way towards me. 

The look on her face infuriated me. Who was she to look at me with such spite? "You didn't tell me you've become more miserable with a deaf ear," I quipped and instantly snatched a wine from a server and splashed its content on her dress. Good for you!

She looked like she had seen a ghost; her face turned white from shock, and her gown soiled with wine. I smiled, 'let's see how you can keep parading the place feeling so pretty' I thought to myself. 

I walked over with pride, "Oops, I didn't mean to ruin your dress, but teaching you a lesson for calling me filthy at dinner looks good on you!" I slurred satisfactorily, tilting the glass for the remaining content to trail down her shoulders. "Next time you will learn to show me some —"

Smack!

𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩..... 

I gasped, holding my cheeks instantly like I was trying to shield it from the horror of that encounter, the memory of the slap making me feel a faint sting on my cheek. My face twisted to a frown, "Couldn't she retaliate with a wine splash instead?" I lamented, sniffing my nose in sadness. 

The creaking sound of the door broke the almost suffocating silence in the room, revealing the man I had waited all night for. "What took you so long?" I asked in annoyance, my legs springing up with speed as I made my way to him. 

"I'm sorry, I was caught up in the traffic", Claud apologized, moving towards me with the pack of sushi I'd requested for. I craved it so much tonight after two months of abstinence and he went ahead to fetch me some. Maybe my somber mood tonight brought unexpected hunger for it.

I grabbed it without a word and began unwrapping it, dragging my feet lazily, back to the chair. Claud stood like a guard on watch and waited for me to have a taste of the sushi, to confirm if it was to my liking. He knew I loved nothing but the best, and if it didn't suit my taste, he would have to get another one.

I patted my lips and maneuvered the sushi to my mouth. I chewed with intention, savoring the taste with every bite and allowing it to tease my taste buds. 

Oddly, the result was a bitter slam. The sushi seemed slimy and irritated my senses, throwing my mind into a debating mess...is it too sweet or maybe not sweet enough or is it just bitter?

I flung it across the room with a groan, "I don't like this", I complained, my voice laced with irritation. "I don't want sushi anymore; I wouldn't want it tampering with my weight!" I said, my eyes glancing fleetingly across the mirror.

He picked it up obediently and placed it aside. "I need to wash my hands" I mumbled, my voice above a whisper. I felt so unhappy, and for many reasons, the night felt hot and annoying. Remembering the redness on my cheek, made looking at my pretty face in the mirror a hassle.

He went ahead to fetch me a bowl of water. On the contrary, I didn't feel like washing my hands anymore. I got up with a sense of numbness and was about slipping into bed for the night when my phone vibrated on the dressing table to an incoming call.

I glanced at the screen and the caller made goosebumps crawl onto my skin, the hairs on my skin standing on edge in anger. That's how much I hated Cassy. The first daughter of the famous Greys. That sluggish little brat!

"Hey, Sophia. Long time no call" Cassy drawled from the other end, her tone sharp and nasty. We had this unspoken hatred for each other but masked it perfectly by feigned friendship. 

Her father was the founder of the L&B group, and we've been long-time business partners. It was a communication Dad had built right from his young days when he was a good friend to Cassy's father, Mr Grey. Our companies thrived together due to the bond, and Father hoped we, too, would grow to maintain the relationship. But unfortunately, Cassy and I never warmed up to each other. But regardless, we just stuck around each other for successful business dealings. 

"I guess you missed my voice. How kind!" I responded, not veiling the taunt in my tone.

She laughed from the other end her voice reverberating in the space. "No, dear Sophia. I miss your pretty face. But sad enough it's been bashed with a good slap. And I can't get to see it pretty anymore". 

I felt like I'd been punched in the guts and my breath hitched. How did she know?

"Wait..." She gasped sarcastically. "Don't tell me you lost a tooth in the process!?" She asked, pretending like she was worried about me.

I couldn't bring myself to speak because it felt like a weight sat on my throat.

"Are you still there?!" She queried with a calm voice, "Oh come on dear, don't be so sad!" 

"How...how did you know about this?" I stammered, biting the corner of my lower lip so hard in embarrassment.

"You haven't seen the news opera? Your bashed face is all over the internet!"