CHAPTER 8: Watch Your Mouth

After the whole drama with Nathan, I went to the terrace to cool off.

“Hey, something came up. I gotta leave now.” Liam’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Oh, um, okay, It’s getting late”

“Yeah, are you okay? You look down.” He touched my cheek.

“I’m fine, just tired. You should get going. I’ll be fine.” I practically pushed Liam out and shut the doors behind me.

When I was starting to relax, I heard voices approaching. Oh God, who could it be now?

The terrace doors swung open, and a group of women walked in. I recognized one of them.

It was Sophia. She has been obsessed with Nathan for the longest time and excused herself from my wedding with Nathan.

What does she want?

“How does it feel knowing you stole your sister’s fiancé?” One of the women spoke, closing the door behind her.

I scrunched my nose in annoyance. I don't have the energy to deal with this kind of shit right now.

Seeing I didn’t respond, they continued and took it further.

“ Yeah, Soph, I heard she seduced Mr Cross and took her sister’s place. How disgusting!” Another chimed in, staring at me with disgust in their eyes.

“Aren’t you all too old for this?” I rolled my eyes.

“To set the record straight, I didn’t steal anyone’s fiancé nor did I seduce Nathan”

“Oh please, if you really didn’t do any of that, why did you get married to Nathan instead of your sister?”

“You’re so shameful. You know, before your sister came into the picture, I was actually meant to be Nathan’s bride,” Sophia said, flicking her hair.

“I’m Nathan’s childhood friend, and he would never choose you over me, Wife or not. Get that straight”

“Okay, first of all, I couldn’t care less about you or Nathan. You can have him if you want to. I am not competing with you. Get that in your head”. I replied.

Sophia let out a short laugh as if I had just said the dumbest thing she’d ever heard.

“You expect me to believe that?” she said, crossing her arms. “You’re married to him.”

“And?” I shot back. “Doesn’t mean I want him.”

That clearly wasn’t the answer she was hoping for. She looked pissed.

One of the other girls scoffed. “Please, there’s no way you don’t like the fact you got married to Nathan. You knew exactly what you were doing.”

“Oh yes, because I orchestrated my sister's disappearance and I’ve been in love with Nathan my whole life and drove my sister away so I can be with my prince charming. Please grow up.” My tone was sarcastic, and that seemed to piss them off even more.

Sophia stepped closer, heels clicking against the floor, that same fake confidence written all over her face.

“You can lie to them,” she said, gesturing to the others, “but don’t lie to me.”

What? Was this bitch crazy? I just stared at her as she continued rambling about her deep connection with Nathan while her group of girls backed her up.

“Trust me,” I said flatly, “you’re not important enough for me to lie to. I don’t give two shits about what you think.”

Her jaw clenched, and the girls behind her shifted uncomfortably, exchanging looks as if waiting for Sophia to snap.

“Watch your mouth. you don’t want to get on my bad side”

“Or what? What are you going to do?”

“You’re only here because your sister disappeared,” she said. “You’re a replacement, a placeholder. Trust me, I can get Nathan back anytime I want. Just keep my spot warm.” She smiled this creepy smile.

“Yeah,” I said simply. “And?” They looked shocked at my reply. Maybe they expected me to defend myself and lose it.

Sophia frowned. “That doesn’t bother you?”

“Should it?” I shrugged. “Because last time I checked, I didn’t ask for any of this. So if you’re trying to shame me, you’re wasting your time because I really don’t care. Not even in the slightest.”

Sophia stepped even closer, invading my space like she was trying to intimidate me.

“I’ve known Nathan my whole life,” she said. “You think this is going to last?”

I tilted my head slightly. “I don’t care if it lasts.”

That threw her off.

“I’m serious,” I added. “You want him? Take him. I literally do not care.”

“Nathan wouldn’t appreciate the way you’re speaking to me”

Just as I was about to give her a befitting reply, telling her to rot in hell with Nathan by her side, a loud voice boomed from the terrace entrance.

“Both of you, stop it.” Speak of the devil, it was Nathan.

Sophia ran and threw herself against Nathan.

“Nate, I was just trying to be welcoming to Aria and get to know her more, considering we are not very close, but she started attacking me and cussing me,” Sophia cried, shedding fake tears.

If this girl was good at something, it’s definitely acting. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s telling the truth.

“Aria, why?” Nathan asked Steadying Sophia.

“Don’t tell me you believe her. You shouldn’t be a businessman if you can’t tell who’s lying and who is telling the truth,” I scoffed.

“Nathan, I’m not lying. I swear she cussed me out and called me horrible names. They saw and heard everything,” Sophia said, pointing to the girls there, and as expected, they rushed to defend her and back up her lies.

“Excuse us, please.” Nathan cleared his throat, signaling Sophia and her crew to leave. Sophia looked shocked. Nathan sent her out, but quickly put on her fake facade and stepped out, closing the doors behind her.

“She’s lying.”

“I know,” Nathan cut me off.

“I know she is. She can be a bit much, so I advise you just not to engage with her, and if she keeps trying to pick fights with you, let me know, okay?”

“Okay,” I shrugged.

“The event is ending soon. Shall we?” He held out his hand, and I took it. The doors flung open, and we walked out together.

I made sure to give Sophia and her minions a smug smile as I walked out with Nathan.