Chapter three

Sapphire’s POV

I blinked

Again

Again and again… I blinked until the words stopped echoing in my head. My ears were working just fine but my insides seems to be in a twist, doubting the words papa had said. “The both of you need to decide who would end up with Alessandro.” The words echoed again and in that minute, I knew papa will always be papa. Plotting, scheming and using people to get what he wants.

I didn’t like Alessandro, if for anything I did not want to be the one that would need to give up her life just to please papa. Alessandro is a dangerous man and his misdeeds knew no bounds.

My lips parted slightly, but words failed to come out. Unlike me who froze at papa’s words, Sophia didn’t flinch, she just stared at papa. She would do anything to get papa out of here and retain his old glory, Sophia can go miles for papa but I don’t think I can. I can only try but it won’t be enough for either Sophia or papa.

“I don’t think….”

I tried to speak but papa cuts me off “I don’t need you to think Phi, all I need is action. Decide which one of you will be Alessandro’s bride and get the plans in progress” he said, staring directly at Sophia.

I was lost, Sophia knew about the plans but I didn’t.

“Time’s up.” The guard’s knuckle rapped against the door, cutting our little family moment short.

sophia and I immediately stood up while papa just stared at us as we made our way out.

***********

“I will do it”

Sophia stated blankly once we got inside the car. I knew she would, I knew she wouldn’t want to impose it on me and I also knew that she would do anything to please papa but I didn’t think it would be that easy for her to make a decision.

I jerked my head towards her “we are talking about Alessandro..”

“What? Now you think I am deaf, I clearly heard papa mention his name and one of us needs to make a sacrifice for the family” she replied.

I could not come up with a perfect response, I think maybe it was because I knew that Sophia was right or maybe I was a bit of a chicken to actually have thoughts of being with Alessandro. The rest of the car ride ended up in silence. Sophia drove like she was being chased by something. From time to time, I watched her expression from the sides and even though she had a perfectly relaxed face, her lips seemed to be out of control but not a word left her mouth.

“I don’t think being with Alessandro is the only option we should explore…” I said softly, my voice was barely above a whisper but I knew Sophia heard me.

“We do not have too many options” she spat, if there was anything I could describe her tone as.. it would be that of total dismissal “we barely have enough time to even explore any other options, phi” she said again.

My lips twisted, I hated the fact that she never actually thinks things through before doing them when it came to papa. Alessandro isn’t a good man and the rumours I have heard about him weren’t good, I would have used that as a topic right now but Sophia is going to throw it under the bus because she doesn’t think rumours are true.

“So whatever papa says then” I whispered

We were barely five minutes away from the house and I could not wait to finally get down from the vehicle. Sophia is my twin but she makes the air around her a little bit stuffy and even though I love her, I cannot say for sure but our life goals are always clashing making it seem like we will never actually be in sync.

We finally got to the mansion. Sophia pulled by the driveway but something didn’t feel right. There was another car parked in the driveway, a sleek black car.

Sophia stared at me almost the same time I took a glance at her for clarification. Her eyes narrowed at the vehicle.

“Let’s get down” she said

We got down almost the same time. The owner of the vehicle did too, it was not a face I had seen before. He looked a little bit corporate but his physique screamed otherwise; dark shades, extremely broad shoulders like that of a body guard.

“Sapphire and Sophia Giovani?” He asked almost immediately with a smooth tone like he had rehearsed it on his way here.

Sophia cleared her throat while I just stared at him. Everyone knew about the Giovani’s estate but yes he could be asking for formalities “who is asking?” Sophia asked, her tone was in defence.

The man removed his shades, his gaze rested on the both of us. Even now that he had his shades off, he still seemed a little bit scary. “Mr Alessandro has requested your presence, tomorrow evening for dinner. Do no keep him waiting.”

He handed over a black envelope and then left even before we could raise any questions.

Sophia tore the letter open and then she read aloud “Alessandro’s estate by 7pm do not be late.”

***********

Alessandro king is not a man to be played with, I wondered why he was the one reaching out to us instead of us trying to to get his attention. I wondered why papa had stared at Sophia when he mentioned plans. I wondered if the plans were already in progress and if the invite is just one bite of the plans.

“I can go alone”

Sophia said breaking me away from my train of thoughts.

Of course she would want to go alone but I can’t let her do that. “The invitation is meant for the both of us” I stated dismissing her words.

Sophia makes an attempt to walk away but then she stops “whatever happens after this, you will have yourself to blame… not me, not papa but yourself.” She said in her usual bored tone before walking away.