CHAPTER 3

Sophie's POV

Being married sucked.

Adrian was leaving the room again. I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 4 am. “Good morning,” I greeted. He didn't reply, instead wearing his training gear. I don't know why I expected him to reply to me, someday he would. I sigh, turning over in the bed. After he goes, I would get up and start my routine.

“Don't wait for me.” He closes the door behind him. I knew I would be awake, staring into the ceilings till he came.

After two weeks, I was slowly getting accustomed to the house. I had a team of cooks, the butler and a driver for myself. Adrian had placed a black credit card on the desk on our second night. At first, I refused to touch it. Last week I decided if my husband wanted to spend his life doing whatever, I would too, using his money. I grabbed the card, called Eloise and we had a ball.

A quick shower later, I go into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. One of the chefs, Marianne, a young woman from France is already there. “Good morning mademoiselle,” she said. “Morning Marianne. What's for breakfast?”

She stirred a batter. “French toast.” I grin, “Ouu, my favourite,” I said, turning around her. I put my finger into the batter, almost getting slapped by her. “Marianne,” I laugh, licking my finger off. “Stay away from my work, Sophie.” 

“It's not my fault, you make the best breakfast,” I pout, “I can't resist it.”

I grab the mug, pouring the hot coffee. I dumped two packs of sugar into it, stirring and bringing the hot cup of goodness to my lips.

“Boss has left?” she asked me, flipping an egg over. “You already know,” I replied. Suddenly, the coffee tasted like mold in my mouth and I poured it down the drain. She looked at me with pity. “Give him time.”

Time?

I shrugged. “I don't care, Marianne. I'm going out soon.”

I leave the kitchen, heading back into the room. Yesterday, I planned with Eloise what my clothing choice would be, a tennis skirt and a crop top,with a pair of Adidas sneakers. Something for comfort.

My blood ran cold as I stepped inside. Laid on my bed, ironed out was the navy blue tennis skirt I planned to wear, a lighter blue crop top, some jewellries laid next to it. Gold, my favourite, enough to match that vibe for the day. The sneakers at the feet of the bed.

“What the fuck?” I said, looking at the items laid obviously for me. This has been happening often. When I say I planned to read a book, when I got to the library, the book was already on the table. If I complained about a flower vase to the butler, it was gone in the next hour. All I had to do was say something, and it was done. This though, I hadn't told anyone else than Eloise. No one has permission to go to the top floor, where Adrian and I's room was. My hands shook slightly, fear racing throughout my blood. 

I ran into the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and another basic top, ignoring the clothes. After putting my hair in a messy bun and rubbing lipgloss over my lips, I ran out of the room. It was time I told Adrian what was going on. 

I drove out of the compound. “Call Eloise,” I said, my voice cracking after being in silence for twenty minutes. The call rang a bit and then I heard my best friend and long term friends voice.

“Sophie, are you on your way?” She shouted into her phone. I drive up to the entrance of the gym, “Yes, I am already there.” After parking my car, I walk to where she is standing.

“Sophie, how are you?” loose throws herself around me, hugging me tight like we didn't see yesterday. “I am amazing my à the gym. I feel his eyes on me and that spikes my heart rate higher.

“Come, Eloise, let's skip the gym today. Let's go somewhere else,” I drag her towards my car. She complies, not asking me any questions,rather yapping about her job instead. I feel his eyes follow us into the car and when I'm safe inside, I don't feel it anymore.

After a long day of distractions, I drove back home. Shockingly, Adrian's car is parked in the front of the house. 

As I walked into our bedroom, I noticed the usual smell of alcohol was missing. That would be a first. He comes out of the shower, a towel low on his waist as he uses one to clean his hair. “Where have you been?” He questioned.

I drop the car keys on my desk, along with the card. “I was with a friend.” I said, going to sit in the bed. I watch him grab a pair of trousers and a jacket. “You're going out tonight?” 

Adrian wears his clothes. “Yes, there's an important ball I have to attend.” I nod even though he cannot see me. “A fundraiser?”

“It's none of your business Sophie.”Adrian snaps. I had had enough too. “Why did you marry me, Adrian? You don't talk to me, you are barely around. What exactly is this marriage for?”

“This marriage,”he sneered walking towards me menacingly, “it is because your father gave you to us to repay his debt. That is all. I will do my duty, you will have my heir and then, we don't need to see each other again,” he said, locking eyes with me.

I swallow the spot in my mouth. “Fine then. “ Adrian straightened to his full height. “Anything else?”

“Yes, there is one thing,” I said. “So, I think someone is following me.”

Adrian stared at me. “Like, I see this man, he's everywhere I go. The positions of things change in the house.” 

Adrian sighed. “No one is. It's probably just a guard, I have a few watching over you.”

With that, my husband leaves me alone in the room.  As he leaves, that crawling feeling, the eyes on me, returns almost immediately.

When I look out the window, the shadow of the man is there again.