Chapter 3: Accepting the deal

Daniel's POV:

"Daniel! What did you do to Sophia? What did you tell her?"

I just closed my eyes when I heard my Mom's on the phone. She served as my alarm clock this morning.

"I didn't do anything mom----"

"Then why did she back out of the deal? She called me this morning and she said she won't accept the deal anymore!"

"Mom, it's her problem and not mine. If she decided to back out, then fine----"

"Daniel Kelley!"

-'Oh God, mentioning my full name again'-

"I didn't raise you to become rude and disrespectful towards women!"

"Mom, I told you I didn't do anything to her!"

"Make it sure, son. I asked her but she refused to tell me what happened between the two of you yesterday. Son please, Sophia is a fine young woman and she's your only hope to get the investment that you and your dad wanted to get."

"But I can find my own --- I can find my own fiancee, Mom!" I said scratching my eyebrow as I got up from the bed.

"Fine! I'll let you get your own girlfriend, but make sure that it's not one of your past women!"

I just rolled my eyes.

"What's with that girl, and you wanted me to marry her? She's nothing special, Mom! I mean yes, she's beautiful but other than that, I can't find anything on her. She's just an ordinary woman."

"Give her a chance, son, and you will know that she's different from the women you have met and yet will meet. She's special Daniel."

I chuckled at her explanation. "Mommy, since when did you become a poet?"

"Daniel Kelley! I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay!" I said, trying to suppress my laughter. "But Mom please, just give me time to find a girlfriend for this contract."

"But what if you fail and you haven't found any woman?"

"Then I'll take your girl."

"Okay, I'll give you a week, so start it now!"

"But Mom, that's too short----"

"No! We only have two and a half weeks left before the scheduled engagement party. So, if after a week and you haven't found a girl yet, then you have no choice but to marry Sophia."

"Fine."

"Okay, bye son. Take care, I love you."

"Thanks Mom, I love you too."

"Whoa!" I sighed loudly as I fell back onto the bed. I closed my eyes but the image of Sophia blocked my head.

I remember our first meeting yesterday. She said she was wearing a purple jacket, but she was the only one inside the coffee shop wearing purple. I admit she's beautiful, and when she drew her face closer to mine, her scent filled my nostrils. And her lips were the first thing I noticed. They looked so soft and pink, and I had to look straight into her eyes to block my wild imaginations.

"Oh God! Why am I thinking that woman? She's like the other woman around! She's just after my account!"

I massaged my temples and got up again. It's saturday today but I have to go to the office for some important meetings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sophia's POV:

"No! Per favore Joseph, non farlo!" (Please Joseph, don't do this!) I cried and begged for him to stop but he continued to rip my clothes.

"Fermare? Perché dovrei?" (Stop? Why would I?)

And he laughed on top of me with his demonic laugh. He pinned both of my hands over my head while his lips sucked the skin of my neck. I could feel his manhood poking down my belly and I felt so helpless, I couldn't even move under him.

"Puoi aspettare la prima notte di nozze?" ( Can you just wait for the wedding night?) I continued to cry.

"Ma non posso più aspettare, amore mio. Ho bisogno di te adesso! Hai un profumo così buono!" (But I can't wait any longer, my love. I need you right now! You smell so good!)

And I screamed when his hand cupped my left breast and his lips continued to nibble my neck. I tried to struggle more under his stinking body, when he positioned himself between my legs.

"No! Per favore non farlo! Farò tutto quello che vuoi che faccia, per favore non farlo! Questa è molestia! Questa è stupro!" (No! Please, don't do this! I'll do whatever you want me to do, just please don't do this! This is harassment! This is rape!)

Oh, no amore mio. Nessuno può chiamarlo stupro, perché sei la mia fidanzata e presto diventerai moglie."

(Oh, no my love. No one can call it rape, because you're my fiancee and soon become my wife.)

"No, No, No-----"

"Noooo!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs as I jolted awake. I was catching my breath as I wiped the beads of sweat all over my neck and forehead. I dreamed it again. No, it was a nightmare. A nightmare from my past, and it started again when I saw Joseph in the parking lot of the mall, a week ago.

"Sophia! Sophia, are you okay?" 

I heard Craig's voice outside the door before he came to my view. He was carrying my pussy.. I mean my white blue eyed persian cat and her name is pussy.

"Hey, I heard your scream. Are you okay?" he sat on the edge of my bed.

"Yeah, it was just a nightmare." I tried to smile but I lowered my head and closed my eyes tightly to control the tears from falling.

"Are you having nightmares again?"

I nodded. He knew everything. I told him one time when I couldn't hold back the tears anymore and he was there to comfort me. He's my assistant dance instructor and he has been with me during those times when I was just starting this career. And we started building the Sophia's Dream-dance studio two years ago. He has been my friend and a brother since then and until now.

"Why don't you accept the deal that Mrs. Kelley's offering you? It's a huge advantage, Sophia. She had already given you the permission to use their name to find Layla, and to put Joseph in jail."

"Craig, it's not easy to accept her offer, I mean, the responsibilities and obligations within that marriage. I will become his son's trophy wife and then what, Joseph will easily find me. The Kelley's aren't just ordinary people. They are a famous and well-known family in Los Angeles."

"Yes, and that means they are also influential and powerful people. Do you think that bastard Joseph will get close to you that easily, if he finds out that you're married to a certain Kelley? One of the top bachelors in Los Angeles? Come on, think about it Sophia!"

I sighed loudly as I dropped my head on both my hands.

"I don't know, Craig. My nightmares are haunting me again. And it feels like everything just happened yesterday, and not six years ago."

"Sophia, excuses will always be there for you but opportunity won't. It will only knock once on your door, so while it is still knocking, open your door and grab it! Who knows, this might lead you to get the justice you've longed to get."

"But Craig, her son doesn't want me to be his wife and I told you he already called me names and judged me!"

"Oh, come on! You've already been judged enough in your life! You've already been judged by your own father ---"

"Ouch! Way to add salt to my injury?"

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I just want you to open your eyes, Sophia. Like I was saying, you've been through a lot in your life already and if her son calls you name or judges you for accepting the deal, then so be it! Let him judge you, besides what all he knew was only your name and not your true story!"

I bit my lip as I scratched the back of my ear in confusion. It's one of my mannerisms if I really don't know what to do next.

"Why, are you going to die if he insults you again or if he tells you that you just accepted her mother's offer because of money?"

I shook my head.

"Aren't you going to survive for a day listening to his judgement? It's just a word or words coming from one person, Sophia. What matters is your goal, your plan, yourself! His insults won't help you find Layla, and his words won't even help you find justice for what Joseph did to you! Call it a desperate way, so what? As long as it's not true and you know it yourself!"

He paused and took both my hands.

"Mrs. Kelley also knows the truth. We're all just here behind you. Stand up and fight! What's his name, again?"

"Whose name?"

"Your soon to be husband."

"Daniel. Daniel Kelley."

"Daniel Kelley, tss! Show that man who the real Sophia Ysabelle is! The woman who fights and does not give up easily in any situation that she finds herself in."

A smile crept onto my lips after hearing those words from him. At least I still have Craig who treats me like a sister more than a friend.

I sighed and my eyes landed on my cat who was still rubbing her head on Craig's arm.

"Hi my pussy." I picked her and put her in my lap.

Craig chuckled as he shook his head.

"Why did you name her pussy of all the names you can give her?"

"Nah! It's just for fun." I shrugged and continued to rub my pussy's fur. "Why, isn't it beautiful, Pussy?"

We both laughed at the name. I was about to get up when I heard my phone ring. We both looked at each other when I saw the name 'Mrs. Kelley' on the screen.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kelley." I answered while looking at Craig's eyes. It's on speaker.

"Hi sweetie, how are you?"

"Hmm, well, I'm fine, Mrs. Kelley."

"I'm sorry about what my son said to you during your meeting. But please Sophia, if you really don't want to accept my offer, let me help you."

I bit my bottom lip as I took a deep breath. Craig continued to encourage me to accept the deal by nodding his head.

"I accept the deal, Mrs. Kelley."

"Oh, my sweetie. I'm so happy. Thank you, Sophia. I'm going to tell my husband and set the date for the engagement!" she said excitedly.

"But I just have a favor if that's possible?"

"Oh sure, whatever it is sweetie. If you're not busy today, can we meet to discuss this arrangement and your favors?"

"Y-Yeah sure, just tell me the location, Mrs. Kelley."

"Don't worry about it, because I'm going to pick you up. Is ten o'clock okay with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine with me."

"Okay. Be ready at ten sweetie. Bye."

"Bye, Mrs. Kelley." 

I ended the call and looked at Craig. 

"Go! Take a bath while I make our breakfast."

"Thanks Craig, you're the best." I smiled and hugged him before getting up.

"Of course!" he smiled back and winked at me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't hesitate to tell me whatever you want, Sophia. I will listen to you." Mrs. Kelley said and smiled at me.

I nodded.

We're now inside the restaurant and waiting for our orders.

"Let's talk about the engagement party and then the next is the wedding. What theme do you want for the party?"

"Uhm.. whatever you want Mrs. Kelley. That's fine with me." I said smiling.

"No, it's your wedding. I'll give you all the decisions, for the theme --- everything!"

I sighed when I heard the word decisions.

"Uhm.. can we.... can we just make the party .. uhm.. private, Mrs. Kelley?"

"Private? What do you mean? Don't you want a big party? A big celebration for your wedding?"

"I'm just not comfortable with huge parties and events, besides, I want it to keep private from the public, especially from Joseph's knowledge. I don't want him to know where I am, where I live and everything about me. Your son is not just an ordinary person, Mrs. Kelley. Paparazzi and other media surround him everyday, and I don't want them following me everywhere."

She took both of my hands and smiled.

"I understand, Sophia. If that's what you want, we're going to keep it in private. No paparazzi and other media on your engagement party and on your wedding. We are just going to get a few professional photographers and videographers to cover the entire event."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kelley." I returned her smile.

"Let's talk about the deal. You're going to marry my son while my husband and I help you find Layla and to make that Joseph guy rot in jail! I promise you that!"

"Thank you, and one more thing, Ma'am."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can we also keep this arrangement in private? I mean, can't we let anyone know why I married your son?"

"What about your husband? Soon to be husband?" I gulped.

"Mrs. Kelley."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

"I don't want him to know the reason, besides it's just a contractual marriage. After a year, or when they get the investment and I get justice for what Joseph did to me, we're going to separate and file for divorce."

"Well, it's your decision, I understand."

"Uhm..what am I going to do as your son's wife?"

"Well, you're just going to pretend as his loving wife in all his corporate events, or parties that need your presence as his partner. But don't worry, you don't have to act as his wedded wife at home, you still have your private life even when you're married to him. But both of you are not allowed to date or see another man and woman while you're still married."

I just nodded.

"What about uhm.. you know..after our wedding"

"Love making?"

I bit my bottom lip.

"Well in that case, since you're both grown adults, it's up to you if you're going to consummate your marriage."

My eyes widened a bit but she just smiled at me.

"You know what, I like you Sophia. And to be honest, I like you for my son."

"Mrs. Kelley-----"

"It's true, sweetie, and I'm hoping that one day, this marriage of convenience will also be marriage to forever." she shrugged, but I couldn't help but laugh at her last word.

-'Forever?'-

"That is so impossible, Ma'am. Your son is a bit rude and arrogant." I didn't hesitate to tell her my real opinion about her son.

She looked surprised at first but she laughed eventually.

"You forgot something, he's also cold sweetie." and she laughed again. "This is why I like you, Sophia. You're a straightforward person. If you like something or anything, you tell it right away. But if not, you don't hesitate to point it out."

"Because for me, honesty is the best policy, Mrs. Kelley."

"You got me there, sweetie. But I also want you to know that Daniel, despite being cold and a bit arrogant, he's a real gentleman, Sophia. I'm not telling you this because he's my son. Just be a little more patient."

I just smiled at her and breathed a sigh of relief.