Chapter 1

Sofia

“I'm so thrilled! By this time tomorrow, “Mrs.” will be added to my name. I will no longer be addressed as “Sofia”; rather, Mrs. Miguel.”

Oh my gosh! I screamed excitedly.

“When are you going to get your wedding ring?" Linda asked curiously.

“Miguel, my fiancé, will be coming here to pick me up; we will go out to get the ring and other stuff at the sky super store,” I answered with a face full of ecstasy. 

We were sitting very close to each other on the same couch in the parlour, glancing at the television show.

A soft sunlight filtered through the window, casting delicate patterns across the marble floor, shadows across the wallpaper and other beautiful photo frames hung on the wall.

 A piercing, gentle breeze was blowing, accompanied by a faint scent of ornamental plants that surrounded the building 

Our images were captured on a mirror standing next to the shelves that housed several interesting books.

Linda was so overwhelmed with joy. A very good and trusted friend of mine from childhood, a very jovial type. She now works at ETC Bank, a renowned bank. She had taken permission and suspended everything just to come and be with me.

My eyes were fixed more on the wall clock, gazing while it struck tick tock…tick tock sound. I was patiently waiting for Miguel's arrival by 2:00 pm.

The atmosphere was so bright, calm, and friendly. I could feel the gentle breeze as it blew across, forcing the ornaments to swing in different directions.

Lizzy, my sister, out of excitement, had gone to make sure the wedding hall for tomorrow’s event was well organized.

“Just hold on, you will see me and Linda right away,” I responded to Miguel's call enthusiastically. 

“He is downstairs waiting already!”

“Linda, please let's rush! It's Miguel who just called! He is already outside waiting.”

“Do I need to go with you?” Linda asked, looking so defiant.

“Yes, of course!” I uttered with a frown, which quickly disappeared. We rushed down immediately to meet Miguel. 

When we got downstairs, he was standing beside his car, an ash coloured Lexus, resting his back on it and flashing his blue charming eyes at random.

I was so captivated by his charming look and smile. He was putting on a white sleeveless shirt that exposed part of his broad, hairy chest. 

When he saw me, his piercing blue eyes pierced hard into me. That forced out a smile on my face.

I cooed and hugged him.

When I pulled back my body, he smiled and waved at Linda, who was standing beside us.

I moved and opened the front door and sat in front of the car while Linda sat behind, and we drove off.

There was heavy traffic congestion on the way, on both lanes. We were busy confabulating seriously inside the car. And cool music was playing. After spending a lot of time, we were able to maneuver our way through.

When we arrived at the sky super store, he parked at the car lot. It's a well-known store where you can get all kinds of wedding attire and quality rings.

When we finished buying, on our way back home, Linda requested to be dropped off.

"Drop!" 

“You are not dropping here, Linda; let's get home first. Come on!”

I turned and stared at her from behind, and our eyes clashed. She smiled and gently buried her face in the ground.

She always wears a smiling face.

Miguel never uttered a word; he never turned to show concern. He focused on his steering, nodding his head as music played.

She still insisted that she needed to go and rest her body for tomorrow's event.

Frankly, Linda has been nice to me; she has been with me since morning, and now it is almost 4:05 PM.

She needs to rest. I signaled to Miguel, who was nodding his head and gripping the steering wheel gently with his right hand.

He parked, and she stepped out of the car while giving me a wave with a piercing smile on her face. Then Miguel brought out his left hand and waved goodbye to her continuously as he drove off.

Meanwhile, when she stepped out of the car, I noticed she was carrying a parcel. I quickly flashed back in my mind, yet I couldn't recall it. She never requested anything, nor did she bring out money to buy anything in the store.

How about the parcel? I ask myself, nebulously flicking my eyes randomly.

She was just following me at the store as though a bodyguard. She never left me for a second.

How come she is carrying a parcel? I was contemplating until the car horn broke my reverie.

I started adjusting my sitting posture while scrolling through my phone, still imagining what Linda was carrying. Should I call her to inquire? Or should I ask Miguel? Won't it be embarrassing for me to do such a thing? 

I was battling with my thoughts, and I couldn't come up with any solution.

I jerked my eyes towards Miguel; he was so concentrated on driving.

Finally, we got home. He never wasted any time; he turned to leave, and the car was already in reverse gear.

“One of my colleagues would be waiting for me at home; let me rush and catch up with him.” Miguel purred.

“Colleague?” I questioned. “Is that why you couldn't make it into the house? Mom will be expecting to see you!” I let out calmly.

“I understand, Sofia, but I don't wish to keep him stranded; let me quickly rush.” 

He was wearing his usual smile, trying to convince me, but I was insisting he should follow me upstairs.

“Please, let's go in so that you can take some water before you leave,” I spoke calmly because I wouldn't want anything to spoil my mood. I was beginning to get upset already.

As we were still dragging our feet, his phone started ringing. Immediately, he picked up the call. In a high tone, he said, “You will see me right now… I’m on my way, wait for me.” 

“Sofia, my colleague, is already waiting for me. Let me rush!”

The loudness of his voice made it impossible for me to understand the crackling and noisy sound coming from his phone, but I could sense a female voice.

“Should I confront Miguel here and now?” I asked silently. But his face looked so defiant and innocent. His love for me is so strong.

“Is he having an affair? Is there something I am not getting?” I spat silently.

Many thoughts were running through my mind. I gazed at him. He seemed cool and looked innocent. He could look innocent on the outside, but what about his thoughts? How do I know that? 

“Let me not conclude just yet.” I heck.

I'm truly disturbed.

This made me remember what my dad used to tell me: 

“All that glitters is not gold.”

Something fishy is going on. Are my instincts deceiving me? 

“Good afternoon, Sofia,” someone greeted. I couldn't determine the exact direction of the sound. I quickly turned left. It was none other than Mirabella, my makeup artist. 

She was approaching where I was standing, wearing a smile all over her face.

Her red lipstick was sparkling as her eyelashes were blinking alternately.

We exchanged pleasantries.

“This is Mirabella, my makeup artist.” I introduced her to Miguel.

He smiled and extended his right hand for a handshake with Mirabella, wearing his usual gentle smile. 

Immediately, he turned on the ignition switch, started the car, gave me a discreet look, and drove off.

I stood there like a statue, watching as he drove into the distance, before I realized that Mirabella was still standing close to me, patiently waiting.

I sighed and went inside with Mirabella.

Ten minutes later, I decided to call Miguel. I dialed his number three consecutive times, but there was no response.

“Sofia, you look troubled. I hope all is well?” Lizzy asked. She noticed some changes in my facial expressions. The face I wore shouldn't be that of someone preparing for her wedding.

“Yeah, I'm fine.. I am cool.” I quickly, within a nanosecond, framed a smile in pretense just to mask my emotions.

It was a mixture of smiles and nerves.

“This is Mirabella, my makeup artist.” I quickly introduced Mirabella to her to prevent her from asking further questions.

As both were exchanging pleasantries, I stood up from the L-shaped couch where I was sitting and headed into my room, leaving both of them in the parlour.

As I swung open the door of my room, Miguel's call came in.