Chapter - [ 2 ]

[ Sophia ]

When I returned home,Lily,my adoptive mother greeted me as soon as I entered from the front the door.

"Sophia my honey how's it going? Did they like you?"Mom asked me impatiently.The gleam in her face was worth seeing.

I pursed my lips and raised my head to look at the so-called mother in front of me,still  not able to believe  that she would force me to do such a thing I had not given a thought.

I said coldly,"You practically threw your own daughter for the sake of some cash?"Hurt clearly visible in my words.I felt betrayed by her own family.

"Sophia watch your tongue when you speak to us, how did you talk to your mother? If I and and your father didn't adopt you, you would have starved to death on the street long ago. After all, you are now the daughter of us and you have to payback for our kindness that we showed you for years,"The facade of a caring mother flew out of the window now replaced by menace.

"What if you take all the benefits,you don't want to suffer a little loss? Being able to be touched by someone from the Ashton family is a boon you must have  earned in your previous life and here you are blessed to marry their son.I wish my Olivia could be a little sincere so she would be marrying Daniel but it's fine as long as a Stone girl will marry him even it's you my disobedient daughter."Lily smiled in satisfaction.

It was all a lie she was trying to orchestrate.I knew the truth.Mr. Henry Ashton asked for my hand at the first place,it was my parents who wished to get Olivia married into Ashton family.

I had no words to reply to the woman who had brought her up after my biological parents' demise which was more like obligations than genuine care in the exchange of feasting on my money left by my parents for my future.

The sickening silence in the air was cut off by the clicking of heels.I didn't had to look at the person who interrupted our heated conversation.

"I feel pity on myself Mom that due to my recklessness,this piece of rag is going to marry the man of every girl's dream."Olivia snarled at me,with a look similar to an annoyed vixen,her teeth clenched as soon as she spotted me in the living room of our house.There went another round of family drama.Well I am quite used to it.

Initially,I thought that I had to replace her because her character was not clean but it turned out that it was all about me since the beginning.

"Its never too late Olivia.You can have him all for yourself because luxurious lifestyle is your dream not mine."I snapped at my dear elder sister.

Olivia folded her arms around her chest, seeing my hurt face with a proud look, "If it wasn't his family's stupid demand, how could I not be willing to marry him but I pity on their medievial stereotypical thoughts but very soon they'll realise what bad omen they have invited for themselves by welcoming you in their family."Olivia's lips perked up into a mocking smirk.

"Olivia it is not the time to fight among each other.We should start preparing for the wedding.Your father must be here any moment so don't try to bring this non sense up in his presence okay?"Lily looked between us.Surely she wanted to kill me with her bare hands but she had to restrain herself for some time.

She and her husband James wanted this marriage to happen at any cost so she feared that by constant provocation by Olivia,I might change my mind so she decided to keep a leash on her favorite daughter until the wedding takes place.

I was uneasy.I was disgusted when I was asked to do such a thing. If her vicious parents kept pestering,how could she disagree?

The actions of this family made me even more disgusted.The Ashton family had no clue of James and Lily's plans.They wouldn't stop here rather they planned on leeching for a longer term or as long as I stay married to Daniel.

"No Mom not before I teach this bitch a lesson for snatching what is supposed to be mine."Olivia hissed and twisted my wrist mercilessly.I winced by the immense pain which shot in my arm.She wasn't doing it for the first time.

"Olivia stop your childish acts.She is going to marry Daniel Ashton and it's going to benefit all of us so you better act nicely with her."Lily pleaded her daughter through eyes.

They will make it happen even if I become a corpse or crippled by the menancing fury of Olivia.

"Mom you better not meddle in my affairs.I want to teach this bitch a lesson for stealing what is mine."Olivia hissed at her mother having no intentions to leave me so easily.

Should I prepare myself for more physical violence or her colorful words?

Definitely not today because I have a more important task in my hands.

I broke free from her hands and said with a blank face, "Mom, I'm going upstairs please don't bother to wait for during lunch.I'll be going out with Mason."I announced while turning to rush to my room.

I hadn't reached to halfway when I heard Lily saying to her previous daughter.

"Olivia sweetie,I have someone make soup for you,come down and drink something to nourish your body.You have to look more attractive than her during the wedding,perhaps Trevor changes his mind in some time.Who will like a hobo called Sophia."Lily tried to cheer up her daughter's mood once I was out of the sight.

"Really Mom!"Olivia huffed in disbelief.

"Mom, why are they so nice to her, she's not my sister anyway definitely not your daughter then why?"Olivia said pouring her frustration on her mother who still tried to please her daughter.

"Shut up Olivia."Lily glared at her,"If she tell the Ashton family what advantages we want to take by this marriage proposal,your chances of marrying Daniel in the future would be over so bear her for some more days.Will you do it my intelligent daughter?"Lily whispered in a low tone.Sarcasm dropped from her words.She loved her only daughter to no extent but like its said,money has more weight than the hollow bonds.Lily wanted to sink her claws on the money,Henry Ashton was offering to them.

How could she let anyone ruin it for her?

Olivia thought for a while.The damage was already done and now they have only one option,to wait patiently and plan wisely to get their hands on the Ashton's wealth.

"Fine Mom but I won't sit quite for a long time."She stomped her foot on the floor and  ran out of the house.

"I have to keep her under leash for some time.Oh God!Please knock some sense in her empty skull."Lily sighed in frustration.

After listening to their not so surprising conversation,I locked the door of my room.I was safe here.I could cry and no one would come to comfort me.I always tried every possible way to show my gratitude for taking me in when I might end up in orphanage or more horribly, on streets but does it mean that they can use me as a toy?

At that time of my parents' death,Olivia was only three years old and being the only child of James and Lily,they thought it would be worse if they take me in but I wasn't coming alone.Cherry on the top,my parents left a house and a sum of ten thousand dollars on my name so James wasted no time in officially adopting me to claim the money and the house.

Olivia was always insecure that I would take her place, so she was very rude to me since she was a child.I tolerated her rudeness for the sake of my new parents who were providing me food and shelter.That was enough for me until I become financially independent and librate myself from the hell called Stone's house.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my miserable thoughts as I recollected my required documents to submit at the university and I was getting really late.

I wiped my tears and went to open the door,there stood my father with a huge smile on his face but I didn't feel it welcoming for myself.

"Hey Dad."I said forcing a tight smile.

"I am proud of you Sophia.I know you can impress the old hag with your innocent charms and I was right.It worked.Edward Ashton called me in the morning to confirm the marriage and also send me the first installment of the promised money five minutes ago.Thanks to you my daughter.Its you who will bring us out of our miserable life."James patted my head but it wasn't an affectionate father but another benefactor of her sacrifice.

"Its my duty for the family who gave me a roof above my head and food to surive Dad.I had to do it for all of you,after all you are my only family.Years ago you showed a big heart by accepting me and now it's my turn to return the favour."I said but James couldn't see the pun behind my words.

"My sweet daughter.We'll discuss about the engagement and marriage preparations over the lunch."He smiled brightly and left me to gulp another poisonous effect of his artificial care.

I wiped my tears and glanced at the clock.I still have two hours to reach at the university and submit my application.So,without wasting another minute, I quickly washed my face to erase any trace of crying and combed my hairs before leaving the house.

Thankfully, Mason promised to pick me up from my house otherwise I had to forget of joining the coarse this year.We can't trust the evergreen traffic of London city.

"Thanks Mason.You are a life saver you know that."I panted heavily as I hopped on the passenger seat of his car.

"I know babes that's why we are best friends."He gave me his bright smile while igniting the engine of the car.

I closed my eyes and rested my head on the seat.The events from the morning and the conversation with Daniel begin to replay inside my head.

Am I rushing myself into this marriage?

Should I accept Daniel's advise and retreat myself from this proposal?

Am I ready to face James and Lily's wrath?

"Soph are you alright?"Mason's cornered voice compelled me to push these questions at the back of my mind.

"Umm yeah it just the lack of proper sleep nowadays.."I forced a smile.It was not the right time to tell him about my meeting with the Ashtons and the unannounced wedding.He would freak out.I didn't want him to push himself in my mess.

"You sure because why am I having a feeling that you have been hiding something from me?"He arched his brows warning me to spill the beans.

"Can we talk after I am done with submission work?"I asked.I couldn't hide it from him for long and it's better I tell him soon.

"Dinner at my home."He said.

"Okay..."

It sounded like a good chance to explain everything to him over the dinner at his place where my family won't be present to nag me and I would have a distraction from my miserable life.

"You'll always find me beside you if you ever need my help Soph."He hugged me and I snuggled more into his comforting embrace once we reached at university campus.

"I know that's why we are best friends."I used his dialogue causing both of us to burst into laughter but I couldn't miss the alien emotion flashed in his eyes for a brief second before he masked it by his laugh.

Am I reading the wrong signals or?

No it can't be true,Mason and I are best friends since our fifth grade.He had been in relationship with three girls in last few years.He couldn't like me more than just friends.

Or am I just trying to convince myself?

Oh God!Why everything is so messed up in my life?

I quickly made my way into the main building of the massive structure of the place where I dreamt of coming since I knew what I want in my life.I developed a fascination for the English literature and one day I wish to become an English Professor at a college.I love to dwell in the beautiful imaginary world created by the great poets and authors.

It took me hours to finish the formalities of the submission. When I finally walked out of the university, I found Mason's car parked at the same place where he dropped me hours ago.I hurriedly strode towards him who was leaning on the car  while scrolling in his phone.

"You didn't go after dropping me?"I asked crossing my arms across my chest.

He raised his face from his phone and passed me a sheepish grin.He inserted his phone back in his pants' pocket.

"I haven't much work at studio so I thought I should wait for you though you took longer than I expected but it's fine."He said.

"I am starving."I rubbed my growling tummy.

"Let's go..."He signalled me to sit while he took his driver's seat.

This dinner will give me the chance to break this devastating news.Yeah,call me hypocrite but it was not less than a tragedy for me.

"Soph what happened to you?"He handed a cane of beer which I gulped down in a go as we settled ourselves on his couch after we ate our chicken noodles.He studied my face.He always succeeds in digging the secret out of my heart. He has a talent for that.

"I need to tell you something.First promise me that you won't get mad.You have my swear."I said stealing my gaze from him.

"Soph what is it?You're scaring me."He cupped my face,his voice shook.

My heart sank more into guilt.Whatever I had to tell him,was going to shatter his pure heart.

"My...parents want me to marry."I couldn't speak,it became top hard for me to reveal my decision.

"I am not getting your point Ari.Is it something wrong with James and Lily?Did he do anything bad with you?"His brows furrowed in confusion.

"You won't take it patiently so just leave it."I looked away to hide the threatening tears.

"Try me."

I sighed in exasperation,"My parents fixed my marriage with Daniel Ashton."I told him and noticed him freezing up for the second time.

His eyes dilated but nothing came out from his mouth.

"Mason please say something. "

I jerked him gently to receive a reaction from him.

"They fixed what!"He yelled in shock practically exploded in anger.

"They want to marry me off with Daniel Ashton."I told him again,still the half truth as I didn't want him to distract from his ongoing project.He is a wildlife photographer and recently he got a project to cover the African wildlife for an international exhibition.

"Ohh so what's your call in it?"He shook his head, his expressions indecipherable.

My heart ached with a sharp pang.I wish for it to be true but it was like crying for the moon.

"An arrange marriage you mean!Like seriously Soph?He asked you to marry him because he finds you suitable to act as his wife and you accepted his bullshit and here we thought you have an interest in him."He exasperated.

"I do like him as a successful person Mason.He is mature,successful and most important a man of his words.He won't ditch me like my parents."I am not sure why I defended Daniel but he was not at fault for my miseries.He indeed gave me an option to escape which I didn't grab.

He reminded me,"They are practically imposing his decision on you and you,like a fool,accepted their proposal,well it can't be define as a proposal,it's more like a business offer."

"Mason please try to understand-"I tried again to make him believe on my web of lies.

"Sophia it's your life and your choice,I won't stop you nor I have the right but it's my duty as your brother to warn you from making a bad decision that may ruin your future.You deserve a man as husband,who will love you and as far as I can see Henry Ashton just wanted to clean his grandson's image of a homosexual by marrying a simple ordinary girl so the rumors fades and their family name restore.Not just I have problem with him being a gay,it's absolutely his life but the society isn't radical as we are.You deserve someone better than Ashtons."His voice sounded sincere and it surprised me.

A minute ago he was totally ballistic.

"You are right but you know Mason I do not believe in fairy tales life.I won't wait for my prince in shining armour come on his golden chariot and marry him for happily ever after.This is real life and I have accepted this truth very long that love isn't in my fate so it's better I move on and create a new life for myself.Daniel promised respect and care and it's enough for me to spend rest of my life."I fed him another bunch of lies.

"Please Soph there is still time,think again before you come on any decision.Remember one thing,I will always be there for you whenever you will need me.I love you.If you want you can move in with me.We can share this apartment"He made circles on my hands.It wasn't the first he suggested me to leave the Stone house and live with him but this idea never settled well with me.He has a life of his own and I do not want him to bear my burden anymore.

"I know and I love you more."I ruffled his hairs out of my habit,"You are behaving like my big brother Mason."I wipe my tears and laughed .

His smiled dropped and replaced by the same emotions I detected earlier.If my assumptions are even one percent true then I have to clear things before we put our friendship at jeopardy.Mason is the only person with whom I feel happy and free.

I was drowned in my thoughts when my phone beeped and I received a text from a private number. I frowned as no one ever tried to contact me through a private number.My friend circle isn't big nor I like to keep contact with my blood relatives. They all are the same.

I glanced at Mason's direction and found him busy shuffling channels so I angled my body to hide the phone screen from him and opened the text.

"Be ready at sharp eleven in the morning.We are going to buy our engagement and wedding rings."

My heart practically came into my mouth when I read the sender's name.

Daniel Ashton!