Chapter- [ 3 ]

[ Daniel ]

I stared out of the glass wall of my office which is on the 38th floor of the Ashton Tower.The sun is slowly setting behind the skyscrapers.It is my daily routine since I joined my family business and now I feel my days incomplete without enjoying the golden red sky and the hot molten lava resembled sun hiding in the veil of darkness for the night.

But today,I wasn't enjoying this beautifully scenario.My mind is constantly drifting back to the certain brunette with hazel eyes who would become my in less than two week's time.

I couldn't figure out my feelings.Commitments and relationships were never in the picture for me as I was brought up by my parents for a single motive, to take over our family business and expand it overseas.My grandfather built it from scraps and now it is one of the top ten companies of Europe.

I'll be turning 28 tomorrow and my grandfather decided to break the news of my marriage during my birthday celebration by throwing my engagement party.

Engagement,a lifetime commitment to someone I barely know except the fact she isn't someone who is enterested in my money or my status in the society and it really impressed me.One of the qualities I would want in my life partner.

Speaking of engagement, my grandfather instructed me to take Sophia with me to buy our engagement and wedding rings.I don't know how she'd react on this but we need to get it done sooner than possible.

I have to fullfil my grandfather's wish.I never intend on defying him even if it means spending my whole life with a complete stranger.I was too engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the door opening.

"Woah Dude it's not been even a day and I already lost my best friend to a mysterious girl.She must be very special."Aiden,my closest friend and marketing manager of my company chuckled walking into my office.

"Please don't start now.I am already overwhelmed by my family's mixed reactions regarding my marriage with Sophia.Mom is waiting for the tiniest excuse to call this marriage off and hitch me with Melissa Carter,her friend's daughter and ex fiancee of Isaac Baxter.On the contrary my grandfather is over the moon because he found the perfect match for me,his words not mine."I stared into nothing with my raw whiskey in my hand.

"You mean to say that they don't take your consent in this decision?"He trails off,his eyes furrowed in confusion.

"Do they ever prioritize my consent?"I replied with a question and let the hot burning sensation of my drink to numb my senses.

"Come on dude it's your fucking life and nobody has right to decide whom you must marry but you.Marriage isn't a joke."He wad baffled thought he knew I had no say in this matter like other times.

"She isn't bad. I mean definitely not one of them whom my Mom shortlisted over the years so I guess I can give her a chance."I said placing the empty glass on the trolley.

"Shall we go to our favorite place tonight?"He raised his left brow to ask for my response while taking large gulp of his own drink.I guess he poured coke for himself.

I shook my head in denial,"Not tonight bro.I have to accompany Sophia for oyr ring shopping.I doubt we get any chance to enjoy ourselves in next two weeks and following days after the wedding."

He sighed deeply,"You can't escape this situation, can you?"He asked.

"I'll see you tomorrow at the party.Don't forget to bring Candance.I hope the two ladies warm up with each other.Sophia doesn't seem to have a lot of friends and certainly not from our strata.I shouldn't be expecting much from my Mom.I am sure she would even welcome Sophia in our house."I said thinking about the changing equations in my family.

"Don't worry we'll be there on time and if you like I can send Candance for the ring shopping and other stuffs on your place."He suggested and I found this idea intriguing but I must not back away from my words as I had already texted her to be ready.

"Thanks bro but it's fine.I have already told her to wait for me.I think it would be inappropriate if I send someone else on my place and Grandpa will go ballistic on me if he comes to know about it."I politely turned down his offer.

"Alright ,go and enjoy your first time outing with your would be fiancee."He gave me an understanding nod.

I rolled my eyes on his non sense joke and made my way out of my office building, its four thirty five and I have exactly twenty five minutes or less to reach at her house.I just hope the evening rush won't trap me as I hate being late for a pre-scheduled task.

I drove my personal sports car rather than taking the driver with me.I don't want her to feel overwhelmed though I highly doubt she would be more uncomfortable oñly in my presence.

I sighed in relief as I was able to make it on time.I spotted her waiting outside her house but she wasn't alone,there is another girl who wore the shortest dress in a chilling winter all dressed up like she was going to attend a fashion show while Sophia wore a simple black leggings and a brown long overcoat with a woolen scarf around her neck.She was rubbing her gloved hands to keep herself warm.Unknowingly a smile stretched on my lips.She prefer to look simple and unnoticed which made her noticeable among thousands.

I parked the car a little far from her house and climbed out of the car.I didn't want to spend much time in the company of the other girl whose eyes begun to drool over me as soon as she spotted me.I totally ignored her and focused all my attention on Sophia who also saw me and instantly wore her neutral expressions. The carefree look which I noticed a moment ago was gone.She tried to act thoughtfully and minimal.It bothered me but I decided to ask her some other time.Right in the moment,I wanted to get over with this formal outing with her.

"Daniel..Oh My God! Is that really you?"The other girl squealed on a high pitch causing both I and Sophia to flinch by her deafening voice.

"I guess I am."I try to act normal.She might be Sophia's relative perhaps her cousin otherwise I would had ignored her like invisible air.

She ran to me and before I could register anything she hugged me clinging on me like a sloth.Her strong perfume caused me to sneeze.

"Miss-"I didn't know what to call her but her behavior was getting into my nerves.I glanced over Sophia and pleaded her through my eyes to help me in getting rid of her.

She seemed to read my expression and tapped her hand on the girl's back who snapped her face in Sophia's direction looking totally pissed off and ready to eat her alive.

"Olivia you shouldn't overwhelm him.I don't think Lil-Mom would like it and you know how is her anger sometimes."Sophia said calmly while trying to steal her gaze away from the girl whose name I know was Olivia and me but what caught my interest was,she almost called her mother by her name.

She is a mystery book and I like solving puzzles.It wasn't going to be that bad.

Olivia reluctantly let go off my body and shot a murderous glare in Sophia's direction, "Dare you tell Mom or..."She pointed her sharp painted nail at Sophia and walked away menacingly.

Blood boiled in my veins.She dared to threaten my fiancee in my presence.I had to have a serious talk with her parents who must have spoiled her.

"I am sorry Mr. Ash-"She paused as she remembered me telling her to call me by my name,"I mean Daniel for her behavior."She apologized for someone else's ill behavior.

I straightened my posture and gently grabbed her hand.Her eyes widened in surprise, she definitely not expected me to do something like this.After all we met  hardly twenty four hours ago.

"You don't need to apologize in her behalf Sophia and please never let people walk over you.This world swallow innocent and selfless people."I said to her on which she weakly nodded her head.

"Shall we go now?She asked me looking behind me probably on my car.

"Yeah let's go.."I give her a tight smile and tucked her along with me.She stiffened under my touch but she should get used to our physical proximity for the sake of public appearance. After tomorrow, she won't be an ordinary girl anymore but the centre of curiousity for the rest of her life or as long as we stay married.

Once we settled on our seats,I quickly drove to the jewelry store where my mother buys all her precious ornaments and strictly instructed me to go in the same shop as her jewelry designer have already picked up their finest collection of rings for us.

"Don't chew your nails Sophia.I know you are very nervous.Let me tell you that my condition is no different than yours but I come with the facts so you must if you want us to work on this marriage."I said to her without glancing in her direction.

I heard her sucking a deep breath but no reply came.The rest of the half an hour drive spent in complete silence not that I am complaining but I want her to feel free around me.

I pulled up the car in front of the jewelry store and climbed out first to open the door for her.As I predicted ,she again squirmed as soon as she looked at the luxurious extravagant shop and quickly lowered her eye lashes.

"Come let's pick our rings then I'll drop you off at your house."I placed my hand on her waist and this time she didn't react.She understood the importance of the public display of a normal couple in love as arrange marriages are only heard in history nowadays though it is happening in our case.

Linda,the jewelry store owner rushed to welcome us as soon as the guards escorted us inside.Her eyes examined the wiggling girl in my right side.

"Good evening Mr. Ashton it's my pleasure to have you and this beautiful lady at this shop."Linda greeted us in her well polished professional tone to lure her customers, no doubt why she is my mother's first preference.

"Linda,can you show us some fine rings for our engagement and wedding?"I asked her without beating about the bush.I couldn't stand the fake display of sweetness from anyone.In reality no one cares for other without a motive.

"Oh of coarse Mr. Ashton please come with me.Your mother told me before you came here and I selected the finest of our exclusive collection for your big day."Linda kept blabbering in her Spanish accent.

"Can you show us some simple designs?Actually I don't like bug stones.They are quite uncomfortable to wear on daily basis."Sophia said out of blue which surprised both I and Linda,in fact Linda more because her customers always wants the heaviest and costliest ornament to show them off to other rich folks.

"Are you sure Miss Stone?I mean Mrs. Ashton specially requested me to present the rare collection for her daughter in law."Linda tried to change her mind.

"Linda please show her something she likes okay.Its her wedding so the bride has the right to choose her rings not others hmm."I busted her bubbles.

Her eyes dropped in disappointment in a fear of loosing a loyal customer like my mother.Well it's her problem.Sophia proved that she isn't one of those I always hated but a very precious pearl.