Chapter 8: Welcome to the family

Sophia's POV:

When Andrew joined our conversation, my eyes automatically turned around from where he came from and searched for his friend.

"He went outside." I glanced at him when he answered my silent question.

"I'm not asking for Daniel." I said in a defensive tone.

"Really? But your actions did. And don't worry I also wasn't referring to him." and he winked at me.

Jack is just standing in front of me waiting for my reaction, but I give none.

"I like your dress, Sophia. You looked more beautiful." Andrew said after a while.

"Thank you Andrew, you too."

"I also looked beautiful?" I rolled my eyes. "Just kidding."

We continued our conversation with Andrew leading the topic into music. And this captured my interest. Both Jack and I were just listening to his story and corny jokes. Jack also shared his love into music but the problem is, music doesn't love him back. Well, unlike Andrew who showed us some pictures of his musical instruments at home. But of course, I remained quiet and didn't tell them about my past job in college.

I also play different musical instruments, but the most I love to use is my guitar. I was eleven years old when my Dad taught me how to play instruments. I dropped out in dancing school when I was ten years old, that's when my Mom left us, and I just focused on what Dad wanted me to do. And one day, he came home with a guitar in his hands, and he taught me how to play and use it, and that's when I started playing them.

I really loved dancing back then, but I don't have a choice but to stop because I wanted Dad to be happy despite my Mom's absence. I followed all the things that he wanted me to do, but somehow I called it a blessing in disguise. Because I used it as my part-time job back in college.

Andrew was in the middle of his storytelling about his guitar when I heard the familiar voice of a woman behind me. And the name she used to call me.

"Belle?"

I gulped as I slowly turned around to see Rian standing a few steps away from me. I blinked my eyes repeatedly and my jaws dropped when I realized that it's really her.

"Rian?"

Our eyes finally met and my mouth formed an 'A' then 'O' shape at the same time. It's really a surprise moment for me. We stepped closer to each other and hugged the life out of us.

"What are you doing here?" we both asked in unison.

She bites her bottom lip and I didn't miss the look that she gave to Daniel who's frowning behind her.

"You know each other?" He asked the two of us.

"You know him?" I also asked her, moving my eyes from her then to Daniel.

"Uhm.. he's actually my brother."

"Ohh..." I said in a really shocked state.

What a small world we are in? My fiance and future husband is the brother of one of my trusted friends since college. The person whom I shared all of my secrets and stories is none other than the younger sister of the person whom I will borrow a last name two weeks from now.

All of us turned into silent. No one dared to talk, until Daniel asked the two of us with a raised eyebrow.

"How did you two meet each other?"

With his question, Rian suddenly smiled and took my hand.

"We came from the same university. She's actually my mentor and she's the one who introduced me to my band." She answered him smiling.. no.. smirking.

"Mentor?" Daniel's eyebrows almost kissed each other.

"Yes, it's a long story, Dani. And don't ask me how, why and what because I know you're not interested."

She's calling him 'Dani', but that's not what caught my attention. It's her words 'you're not interested' and somehow deep inside me, I really don't need to ask what she meant by that because I already know the answer.

I didn't miss how they shared a look and how Daniel glared at his sister, but Rian the same old Rian just shrugged her shoulder and turned to the other man standing beside her brother.

"Hubby, she's our dance instructor and the one I'm telling you the last time."

She completely ignored his brother but didn't let go of my hand.

"Really?" asked the man whom she called hubby. I also noticed the love and adoration on both eyes when he looked at her.

"Yes. By the way, hubby this is Belle my most beautiful mentor in singing and now in dancing. And Belle, this is Alex, my husband." She smiled as she introduced us to each other. Daniel is just watching behind her.

"Wow! You're so talented, Belle. Nice to finally meet you."

Alex offered his hand for a handshake and I gladly accepted it.

"Thank you. Nice to meet you too, Alex." I give him my appreciative smile.

"Belle, welcome to the family."

Rian said with a smile as she hugged me again. I know that smile, it's sincere but there's something hidden on it. Questions.

"Why are you calling her Belle?" Daniel asked as no one was speaking to him in the group.

She rolled her eyes before she gave him a smirk.

"Ohh.. my dear big brother. Tsk.Tsk.Tsk. I'm calling her Belle, because that's her original nickname. And you know what her real name is? It's Sophia Ysabelle Del Mundo." then smiled sweetly.

I can't help my own smile that crept on my lips by how she talked back with her brother. I was about to add some comments, but my phone beeped and a text message coming from Craig appeared on the screen. He's asking about the happenings in the party. I didn't text him back, I just put it back inside my dress' pocket.

"You also love 'Spongebob Squarepants' Belle?"

"Huh?" I asked her back confused. Her voice was a bit loud and the boys around us also turned to her, especially Daniel and Alex.

"Uhm.. yeah. It's kinda cute." I answered her having no clue on what was going on inside her mind.

"Spongebob Squarepants.. uhmm.. yeah, it's kinda cute." She added a bit louder and I chuckled when I noticed the two men glaring at her. Are they having an issue or problem with Spongebob Squarepants?

"Belle, can I talk to you in private?"

Although I was confused by her reason why she suddenly wants to talk to me, I still agreed with her.

"Sure."

"I have a secret, and I want to share it with you."

I chuckled when the two looked at her with a different expression. Alex's face turned sour while Daniel's face looked so horrified.

"Let's go."

She pulled my arm but we stopped when the two shouted her name in unison.

"Rian!" her husband's voice.

"Arrianna Angela!" and the glaring Daniel mentioned her whole name.

"What's your problem boys?" she turned around with a scowl and put her both hands on her hips.

"I just want to talk to my sister in law in private! Do you have any problem with that? If you want you can watch TV and search for your favorite Spongebob Squarepants to lessen your foul mood!"

A loud chuckle escaped through my lips together with Jack and Andrew, before Rian grabbed my hand again and pulled me upstairs.

We entered one of the rooms and walked outside the terrace. We sat at the outdoor coffee table across from each other.

"Rian, why do you want to talk to me?" I asked her first, even though in the back of my head I already know what she's going to ask me about.

"Belle." she sighed before she continued. "I didn't know you were my brother's fiancee. You didn't mention it when we met last week."

And I was right. I give her a half-smile. "Yeah. I remember you told me before that you have a brother, but I never thought it was him."

"Yup. It's Dani, Daniel Kelley." she paused and took a deep breath before she spoke again. "Belle, could you please tell me your reason on why you accepted this agreement? And why are you marrying my brother?"

I blinked my eyes and avoided her gaze. Now I'm starting to ask myself if this decision on marrying her brother was the best way to see Joseph inside the prison, or is it even right?

"Rian.."

"Is it something about your past?"

I bit my bottom lip as I looked at her directly.

"Is it about Joseph?"

I closed my eyes just by hearing her mentioning his name. The memory was still fresh inside my mind, as if it had just happened yesterday and not six years ago.

"Belle, tell me the truth. Is this about that man, who tried to rape you six years ago?"

-'Oh God!'-

I nodded still in closed eyes. "Yes. It's because of him. It's because of that f*cking bastard!" I said in gritted teeth.

"Oh my God! Why didn't you tell Daniel?" that was the first question she asked me after telling her the truth.