09

Sophia's POV

My mouth flew open when the car stopped before a large blue mansion. This mansion is one of the greatest I've ever seen.

The gate automatically opened.

“Where are we and what are we doing here?” I cried at the driver who was driving into the magnificent compound.

“I’m so sorry for getting you scared, Miss Sophia. Sir Charles actually asked me to bring you here as a surprise. It’s a gift given to you and your family, being the bride of Master Ethan,” he said, and my jaw literally dropped to the ground.

Did I just hear him say that or am I having hallucination problems?

No, I think I'm hallucinating. I looked into his eyes and he nodded.

I jumped out of the car. Damn… is this happening?

This is now our house? Like my house?

I, Lisa, Mum and Dad will be staying here?

The questions kept rushing through my mind as I explored the large compound.

The building looked like one from a billionaire movie. It has its own swimming pool, which was large enough to be used in an Olympic swimming competition.

I felt my heart do a flip as I spotted a glorious garden by the right of the building.

This is happening… oh my God, this is real.

I rushed to meet Mum and Dad as soon as I saw the entrance door open.

“Oh my baby, you're finally here,” Mum said, rushing to me.

“Yes Mum, is it true? Are you going to be living here?” I squeaked like a six-year-old.

“Yes… come in sweetheart,” Mum said.

We went in and I almost passed out at the sight that welcomed me.

The interior designs were something else.

Everywhere was shining and sparkly white. The furniture was made from pure diamonds and gold.

Dad chose to lead me to my room and I agreed. Our journey upstairs was very cold. We didn’t say a word to each other.

I couldn’t even bring myself to look at his face.

The hallway was designed with different paintings. We stopped when we got to the third door.

“This is your room…” Dad said and he pushed the door open.

“Wow…” I exclaimed. The room was ten times bigger than the one Lisa and I shared back home.

It was painted pink, with a large Queen-sized bed sitting in the middle.

There were butterfly paintings around the walls—everything was just so glorious.

I don’t know when I twirled around like a princess. Dad chuckled. I turned to him with a bright smile which soon faded away. My heart bled as it hit me that all this comes with a price.

I heaved a sigh and sat on the bed. I almost moaned due to the softness of the bed.

“Princess…” Dad called, but I looked away.

He walked toward the bed and sat by my side, but still I dared not glance at him. I just couldn’t.

“Look, I know what I’ve done is wrong… very wrong, that if anyone told me I would do this last year, I would curse the person. But… Sophia, I know this word might not fix anything, but I want you to know that I’m sorry,” he pleaded. I felt a huge sob rise in my throat but I swallowed hard.

“I know. I regret everything. I should have sat you down and explained things to you. I'm so—” Then I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Oh, so the apology is for how you presented things to me? Seriously, Dad? So you don’t regret selling your daughter?” I yelled. I felt heat rush to my face.

“No, I did not sell you! I would never do that…” he said, looking like he was going to cry.

“Oh, then what did you do? You gave me out?”

“No! This was never a plan of mine. One of the things I've sworn to do is protect my little girls forever. But what happened is beyond what I can control.”

“What happened?” I turned to him.

“You see, Charles has been bringing up this marriage issue for two years now and I’ve been rejecting the offer. And you know how these types of people behave. He started punishing me for that by deducting my salary. Haven’t you wondered how the driver of the almighty Blackwood is living in a slum?” he asked.

I’ve always thought of it. Dad deserved to be paid better. I used to think about it but I always pushed it out of my mind.

“I tried to look for jobs elsewhere, but he had commanded everyone not to employ me, so I had no choice but to continue working for him.

I promised myself never to comply with what he wants, but we unfortunately have no control over what happens to us.

Your mother fell so sick, and due to debts, the doctors wouldn’t treat her. So I had to run back to Charles and he saw it as his chance.

I swear I never had the intention to do this to you, but I couldn’t watch Dina die. I don’t want you to be miserable. I—”

With that, Dad burst into tears.

My heart shattered completely. I’ve never seen tears in Dad’s eyes before, but here he is now sobbing like a baby. I could feel rage rush through my veins instead of blood. My hands formed into fists and I suddenly wished I had poisoned that old fool!

I rushed to Dad and wrapped my arms around him. My breathing was coming in short, rugged patterns. I just wish we weren’t poor. So this is what Dad had been going through. Why didn’t he tell us?

“It’s okay Dad, I’m not mad at you anymore, I promise.” We disengaged and I gave him a nod and a small smile.

He smiled back and walked to the door. He pulled the door open and Lisa fell in, landing on her butt.

“Lisa!” Dad and I exclaimed.

“Ehm… I was just passing by, I swear,” she muttered as Dad pulled her up.

I rolled my eyes. “You haven’t stopped this crazy attitude of eavesdropping…”

“I was just passing by, dummy… but wait, Dad, did Charles really do all that to you? Why didn’t you tell us… God, I would have slapped that calabash head of his,” Lisa said through gritted teeth.

She was angry, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

Dad soon left the room, and with that Lisa jumped into the bed.

“Gosh… money is good.”

“Yes, it is…” I sighed.

“Don’t tell me you’re still bothered about the whole marriage thing. You should try to cheer up and get it off your mind. Try to enjoy the life you have now, Sophia. Being a grumpy grandma won’t turn back the hands of time…” She went on with her preachings. I couldn’t even remember most of her words.

But yes, I think she is right. I can’t continue being sad forever. I need to find something interesting to do with the new life I have right now.

“Now tell me about your little date with Mr Blackwood” Lisa smirked and I told her everything and as usual she blew up.

“I know he’s a jerk, a motherfucking rich spoiled brat, but I’m also disappointed in you. You should have tried to stand up for yourself.

But I don’t blame you at the same time. We all can't be the same, because if it were me, I swear I would have broken his head into five pieces with my heels,” she said, and I chuckled. If only I had the courage.

I don’t know why I feel so small around him.

As expected, Lisa fed me with a lot of ‘Be That Lady’ talks throughout the night.

She made me watch a lot of feminine videos and before I knew it, I started feeling a great urge to go back to dinner and give that jerk the words he deserves—but it’s impossible.

Lisa soon kept quiet. She started snoring so loud that I picked a pillow to block my ears.

My eyelids felt heavy and I fell asleep feeling powerful.

******************************************

*“Sophia!”*

The earsplitting voice made me jump from my bed to the floor… Damn, it’s morning already!

Lisa barged in. She was wearing a bathrobe and a face mask worn upside down, which made her look like a psycho.

“What?!” I screamed back. I hate being disturbed when enjoying my sleep.

“Ethan is downstairs waiting for you with a flower…” she said while trying to catch her breath.

My jaw dropped to the floor.

What?

Ethan is here?

With a flower… and waiting for me?