Saying Yes

“Yes.”

Sofia lifted the cardboard with the words “yes” written boldly in red ink for Kael to see. It was one of the Vipers home games, and she was seated amongst the spectators dressed in white ripped jeans and an oversized hockey jersey with her brother's name written behind. One would think she was there to support her brother but in reality, she was there to give Kael an answer. As the league’s top player, he never fails to score at any game, so the cardboard was a perfect cover to seem as a fan while passing a message.

From the rink, Kael caught sight of the message and smirked before hitting his signature goal celebration before skating away. He was expecting her to say no, seems he underestimated how much she loved her brother, and figure skating. What does it feel like to love something and to be Soo loved by someone they'd put themselves on the line for you? He wondered as he glared at Sean on the stands with two other teammates. He was still holding unto his “sick” excuse.

His resentment for the dude seemed to triple when he found his twin on the rink, covering up for him. To qualify for the monthly fitness test, one had to skate their morning drills and sign the attendance or get benched for the rest of the month. He wondered what Sean would do when he finds out his “caring” sister field at the only thing he knew she was good at—having his back. He was going to totally ruin their plan and future, then dump her for being a fraud. He smirked as he skated round the rink, excited by his dark thoughts.

The game ended twenty minutes later and Kael squeezed a note into Sofia's hands where she stood at the parking lot waiting for her twin, to finish speaking with his friends and quickly retreated back into the arena before she could say a word.

Some distance away, a tall blonde stood watching with narrowed eyes. 

“ What just happened?” Her friend, also blonde asked, shocked. She walked towards Sofia without uttering a word to her friend, sizing her up.

“Let me see that.” Sofia heard a low high pitched voice followed by a fair hand with red manicured claw like nails try to snatch the piece of paper Kael had given her.

Puzzled she looked up and found a pair of big brown eyes glaring at her like she stole something from her. 

“ I'm not doing that miss, it's my property and I can't hand it over.” She eyed the the girl.

 The girl scoffed, obviously not expecting her to refuse. Sofia was curious why she expected her to just hand over her property.

“ Do you know who I am?” The girl snapped. Her cheeks bright red from anger.

“ I don't give a fuck.” Sofia retorted eyeing her one last time before walking off. The girl looked, hot, classy and pretty but she was never one to be intimidated by anyone.

“Except Kael,” her subconscious chimed in making groan.

“Sup Sis?, you good? Sean asked putting an arm round her shoulders.” 

“I’m good," she murmured. She stopped talking to him, the day after that wild party that put them in the situation she's in.

Sean not wanting to press on, shrugged his shoulders and let her be. Her mood has been off since his last screw up.

“Ready to go?” He asked guiding her to his ride; a black BMW. She nodded and slid into the front passenger seat while he held open the door. He closed the door after her and got into his driver's side before turning out the ignition and pulling out of the parking lot.

“Find out everything about that bitch." Back at the parking lot, the angry blonde still rooted to the same spot, ordered her friend, eyes fixed on the BMW driving away.

“ Yes Mela.” 

“To the mall, I need to pick up those new designs before someone else gets them." She said handed the keys to her friend, before getting into the backseat of her pink Ferrari. With what she just witnessed, only a little shopping could calm her down a bit.

“ Drive.” 

She ordered the other girl who was more of a servant than a friend to her.

SOFIA 

The drive home was quiet—sean gave up on trying to have conversations when it was obvious she was not going to respond. She got out immediately he killed the engine in the garage of their home and headed to her room ignoring Sean’s call. She bolted her room door and slid down slowly. She did it, she just said yes to her brother's arch rival. How was he going to feel when he found out. Sitting up, she pulled out the piece of paper from the back pocket of her Jean. 

“ 7 PM tomorrow. The Grindstone Cafe. Northgate Mall. Dress like you're dating a captain and don't be late.” It read.

She huffed, completely exhausted and frustrated about the direction her life was tilting in. She's supposed to be thinking about her tryouts not worried about what to wear to a date with someone she didn't like.

“Sofieee!” Her mother's voice pulled her out from her thoughts. 

“You have a package, come get it.” Her mother called out once more. 

“Coming mom!" She yelled back and scrambled to her feet, wondering who could have sent her a package. Downstairs, her mom's disappointed look followed her as she walked towards the door.

“What took you so long?" Why can't you be like your brother. So fucking slow.” Her mother muttered before retreating back into the kitchen." 

“Delivery for Sofia Rich," the delivery guy at the door said handing her a pen. She took the package upstairs after signing her signature. 

Inside her room, she set the box on her bed and locked the door. After staring at the expensive looking cream colored box, like it could bite her. She'd never received anything like this, not even from Sean, the only packages that came for her were ones she ordered from A****n, and usually cheap leggings and books, always in the same cardboard boxes. She delicately traced her fingers on the box then began untieing the silk red ribbon around it. The ribbon slid through her fingers like water, impossibly soft the color the darkest shade of red she'd ever seen.

She carefully put the ribbon aside, not wanting to crease it and went for the cream paper next. She peeled it back slowly, revealing a sleek white box underneath. The brand name was embossed in gold foil on the box’s lid—a label she'd only ever seen in magazines.

Curious, she lifted the lid and inside was a stunning dress nestled in a bed of pale blue tissue paper, so thin it was almost translucent. The paper was scented—something floral and expensive, like peonies and vanilla. She carefully picked it up out of the box and she was completely blown away.

The dress was royal blue. A deep rich blue, the color of old money. The fabric was silk Charmeuse, so fluid it seemed to move even when she wasn't touching it. It was backless, with a plunging neckline that would leave nothing to the imagination. The skirt was floor length, with a slit that went dangerously high on the left thigh.

It was the most beautiful and expensive thing she had ever seen or touched.

She held it up against herself, looking in the mirror hanging crookedly on her closet door.

“This is ridiculous, I'll look like I'm playing dress up." She thought. But even as she thought it, she was already reaching for her zipper.

Under the dress, nestled in another layer of tissue paper, were the shoes. They were heels. Of course they were heels. Beautiful strappy silver ankle disaster waiting to happen. She held one up, turning it over in her hands. The leather was so soft it felt like butter, thin ankle strap and a heel that was at least four inches high. It had the red signature sole like those in every fashion magazine she'd skimmed.

She was about to put the dress back in the box when she noticed something else. Tucked into the side of the box, almost hidden by the folds of tissue paper was a little velvet pouch, the same color as the ribbon, with gold drawstrings.

She pulled it open and upended the contents onto her palms.

A diamond necklace spilled out.

It had a thin gold chain with a single teardrop diamond pendant that caught the light and scattered into rainbows. It was delicate, almost ethereal. There were matching earrings too, tiny diamond studs set in gold, and a bracelet so fine it looked like spun gold thread.

Sofia stared at them in her palm. Her throat tight. 

Her phone beeped on the nightstand.

Unknown: Can't have my girlfriend looking like a beggar at the gala. See you tomorrow.” 

She needed no seer to tell her who this was. But how did he get her contact? And what gala was he referring to. She wondered.

MEANWHILE 

“What do you mean it was sold out!" Camela yelled at a Northgate's mall representative from the phone. She had gone to pick up the dress earlier on but was informed it was already sold. Used to always getting what she wanted, she reached out for an explanation.

“Give me the contact of the buyer." She snapped, furious and pacing around her exquisitely furnished Captain's bedroom in the Viper girls lodge.

“I’m sorry ma'am, but we do not give out our client's information.” The attendant on the other end of the call informed and hung up before Camela could respond.

Arrrghhh!

She screamed hysterically and sent the cellphone flying across the room. Who dared compete with her in Northgate? She was going to find the

person and deal with whoever that is. But for now, she had to focus on dealing with that bitch at the arena.