Chapter - [ 4 ]

[ Sophia ]

It is a sunny afternoon today.

Despite coming home at eight in the night after the exhausting ring hunt and then the dress selection for tonight, I talked with Mason over the phone until past midnight giving myself only a few hours of sleep.

Currently I am sitting in front of my dresser,surrounded by a half dozen girls who are sent by Mrs. Ashton's personal stylist to decorate me for the big event--The Engagement.My eyes are burning due to lack of sleep,all I just want to snuggle under my warm blanket and sleep for hours until I feel recharged.

But I received a strict warning from Lily and a remidner from Mrs. Ashton that I must not look less than the Princess of England herself.I rolled my eyes on Lily's exaggerating comment when she barged inside my room at six in the morning.I feel my freedom slipping away and I couldn't do anything to escape this charade.

"Ma,am would you like your hairs to be tied or we can simply go with open braided hairs?"One of the girls,who were working on my hairs, asked me.

Oh so here I do have a choice!

"Umm I don't know.Whatever you think best to go with the dress."I replied being totally clueless. I spent all my life wearing jeans and shirts or at some occasions frocks. I mostly tie my hairs in a pony tail or leave them uncombed and free.

"Alright then I'll tie them in a Princess bun."She grinned like a Cheshire cat.Wait! It meant she intended to braid my hairs in a bun and it was all a formality.How could I be so stupid?I groaned inwardly and let them play with my body like I am some science project.

"Ma'am we are done.You can look at your now and tell us how do you like our job?"The woman,named Rose swing my chair to let me see my reflection in the mirror.

The girl staring back at me,left me stunned.I couldn't recognize myself anymore.They had done their task excellently, no doubt why they are being paid a hefty amount by their wealthy customers. The maroon colored velvet gown fit my curves perfectly.I never wore such expensive and beautiful dress .Hell!I can't even imagine myself in such dresses which aren't made for me.The gown covers half of my annual fees' amount.Daniel made me buy it last night saying it was his first gift for me.

I felt confident and beautiful though it wasn't me nor I wanted to change my whole personality for someone's sake.It was just for tonight then I could change into my normal lifestyle.

The doors bursted open and the two she devils walked inside.Lily like usual passed a overly sweet smile at the girls while rushing to me,one the other hand her daughter threw a disgusted glare at me.

"Oh my little baby.You are looking like a real princess. I am sure tonight your would be husband will be smitten by your charms.Am I right Rose?"She exclaims hyperbolically.

"Mom this is too much."I passed a tight smile to the girls.Oh God!This is so awkward.

"You're right Mrs. Stone your daughter is the perfect girl for Daniel and I am sure tonight not only him but everyone present at the function would be smitten by her innocent beauty."Rose smiled genuinely.

"Oh of coarse my daughter is one precious gem."Lily hid her annoyance behind her fake smile.Everyone knew how desperately she wanted Olivia to take my place.

"She isn't looking that great.I bet it's the magic of your skills which turned her from an ugly duckling to a swan."Olivia snorted venomously .

Her words pinched me hard while I wanted the earth to swallow me alive. She insulted me in front of outsiders.Well she didn't do it for the first time but they aren't some common people like us.I bet in future,we'd meet again. I'll be part of their circle very soon.

"Well the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, Ms. Stone and for us,Miss Sophia is a natural beauty.She doesn't need any magic to enhance her charms.You'll see it tonight."Rose replied to her remarks.

Olivia left tongue tied and humiliated.Having nothing to retort back,she stomped her foot and walked out of my room.

"Please forgive her.She doesn't behave like this usually.My elder daughter is very sweet but since her younger sister means Sophia's marriage is fixed, she has been depressed as she is years older than Sophia and still unmarried."Lily shed some crocodile tears to cover up for Olivia's misbehavior.

"But it doesn't give her any right to mistreat her younger sister ,Mrs. Stone.Anyways,we should be leaving to the pary venue."Rose answered her and then turned her attention back on me,"Are you ready to steal your Prince Charming's heart?"She winked at me.

My cheeks heated up.Only if she knew the ugly reality behind this facade of a love-arranged marriage.

"Yeah let's go."I nodded my head in affirmation. This is it.I have to sacrifice my dreams of an independent and simple life away from this world ,would be crumbled into ashes.

Rose helped me to walk out of the house where a car was already waiting for me.Ashtons took care of everything.Luckily,my so called family would be coming in another car.

"I am sorry in their behalf."I felt to apologize for Olivia and Lily's inappropriate behavior.

"You don't have to apologize for someone else's deeds Sophia.Since you're going to marry in an influential family, let me give you a fair advise,"She glanced over me,"Living with Ashtons isn't as easy as it looks.People find their lifestyle very intriguing but everything has two sides.The family is full of vultures so never means never show your weakness to them or they won't wait to destroy you."Rose's words sank deep in my heart.

She didn't mention a name but I know she referred to Mrs. Ashton who despised me from each cell of her body.

And like this,she gave me very useful advice until we arrived at our destination, the seven star hotel in the heart of the city.Aderaline rushed into my veins as as soon as I stepped out of the car and attacked by the swarms of paparazzis and media persons. The flash of cameras were too blind for my eyes.

Sweat begun to form on my skin.I felt I could pass out any moment amid the noises and bunch of questions thrown upon me when a familiar arm sneaked around my waist and I was pulled into a hard body.The intoxicating scent of cinnamon and fresh mint made me realise who was my savior.

"You all are invited to cover the event and take as much photographs as you want but don't trouble my beautiful fiancee before our big day.She is already nervous, Am I right darling?"Daniel asked me and rubbed my waist as an indication to nod as my response.

I slightly tilted my head to glance at hundreds of curious eyes upon me.

"Ye..yess.."I barely whispered.

"See I told you.Now please excuse us."He said very confidently in a strong voice and led us inside the hotel,his security guards paved the way for me.

He pulled his hand back as soon as we walked in a secluded waiting room.His expressions again turned to the neutral one as usual while I looked everywhere but at him.

"I am sorry for..."He cleared his throat,awkwardness was floating in the air .

"It's alright.I know you did it to save me."I said honestly.If it wasn't him rescuing me on the mean time,I would had made a joke of myself and the reputation of Ashtons.

Silence fell upon us.We had nothing to say to each other.I kept standing there fidgeting with my fingers,my heels were killing my feet .

"Okay...I'll see at the party.Please take some rest because the event will end by the midnight."He said and turned to walk out of the room but stopped while his hands held the door knob.

I stared at him quizzically.

"You're looking beautiful."He said, a faint smile threatening to spread on the corner of his lips but it was enough to heat up my cheeks and ears.

"Than...thanks.."I stuttered while blushing hard.I am not used to such compliments coming from opposite gender except Mason,whom I know since my early teenage and always see him an elder brother.

He gave me a silent and about to walk out when suddenly something strike me and I blurted which I should said a long ago.

"Happy birthday Daniel."