Chapter 7: Reunited
Chapter 7: Reunited
Sophia's POV:
"You're late!"
My head snapped automatically as soon as I heard his voice. If it weren't for his cold gaze, I would
appreciate his looks. Craig was right, this man standing in front of me is truly devilishly handsome and
oozing with sex appeal. But of course, it's wrong to tell him, because I don't want him to feel like a king © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
and a heartthrob. That would only boost his ego.
"As far as I remember, the party will start at three in the afternoon, but I checked the time and it's still
ten minutes before three, so that means I'm not late. I'm actually ten minutes early for the party." I gave
him my most charming smile despite the feeling I can't explain in my stomach.
"You really emphasized that you're ten minutes early, huh?" I gulped when his eyes landed on my
cleavage.
"Because I am, and by the way, my eyes are here." I pointed my two eyes. "Don't look down on my
cleavage because it won't help you."
I saw how he was taken aback at my bluntness, but it's better to show myself early. Let him adjust to
my behavior and not just me adjusting with him, especially with his insults and judgements.
I walked past him towards the entrance but he grabbed my arm.
"Where are you going?" he asked with a scowl.
I rolled my eyes. "Where do you think I'm going? Of course inside, so we can start this party."
"Next time make sure you come thirty minutes early because my time is too precious to wait for you!"
he said through gritted teeth while taking my hand. And my mouth dropped when he put it on his arm.
"And who told you to wait for me, Mr Kelley? I didn't tell you to waste your time waiting for me."
We started taking steps towards the entrance, but when he stopped walking, I was forced to stop too
and looked up at him.
"You don't know what I can do with your sweet and smart mouth, Sophia."
Gosh! Why does my name sound so beautiful and sexy when he mentioned it? And for that reason, I
asked the question which was supposed to be just inside my head.
"And what are you going to do with my sweet and smart mouth, Daniel? Are you going to kiss me?" I
saw the look of surprise on his both eyes, and it's too late for me to take it back.
He smirked and his eyes looked down to my lips as he lifted his palm to my left jaw.
"I didn't know you're a mind reader, sweetheart."
My breath hitched when I heard what he called me. He slowly lowered his head until his face was only
three inches from my face.
"What if I did, would you mind?" he asked in a different tone.
I can hear my racing heartbeat inside my chest. It's deafening that it numbed my ears and I didn't
notice the people from the entrance who were now watching us. He didn't lose his eye contact with me
as he lowered his face again. But before his lips touched mine, and before I lost my first kiss, we heard
a familiar voice from the entrance.
"I'm sorry to disturb your sweet moment kids, but we are about to start the party. But don't worry, you
can continue that inside." Mrs Kelley said and winked at us.
-'What was supposed to happen? Are we really going to kiss?'-
I can feel the color of my face turning into crimson red. I didn't know that Andrew and Mrs Kelley were
watching us and now they are both grinning widely.
"Let's go." he grabbed my hand and put it back on his arm.
I didn't say anything I just let him drag me into the huge living room.
He introduced me first to some of his business associates with a smile and extra sweet gestures that
even ants would be shy with his sweetness. I tried to calm myself during the whole time and smiled at
anyone he introduced to me. But when it comes to his friend, he just told him my name and then he left
me.
"Hi, I'm Jack." a man in his late twenties offered his hand in front of me.
"Sophia." I accepted it and gave him back his sweet smile.
"I'm sorry for my best friend's behavior, maybe he's just stressed with their company's problem," he
said handing me a glass of wine he got from the waiter who offered him earlier.
I chuckled while accepting it from him. "Stressed? I don't think so. I'm sure that even if he doesn't have
such problems, his behavior wouldn't change, cold, arrogant and rude."
He shook his head and smiled at me with pure amusement written on both eyes.
"I like you." he suddenly blurted out.
My head snapped instantly at him. "What?"
"I mean... I like how you handle yourself in front of him."
"You mean how I managed to give him my snappy comments and called him arrogant and rude?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, and how you behave exactly the opposite of what other girls do in front of him."
"Hmm.. flirting?" I asked nodding.
"Seducing."
As soon as my ears caught what he said, I laughed out loud in the middle of more than fifty people
gathered inside the venue.
"I would never do that Jack, even though he's the last man on earth, I would rather die than seduce
him," I said rolling my eyes.
"Oh! I really like you, Sophia. You're different!"
We're both laughing when I saw Daniel standing near the entrance with Andrew. His eyes were
throwing daggers at us, but I'm not sure if it's for me or if it's for his best friend. I decided to ignore him
and turn my full attention to Jack. And I didn't know he'd already left Andrew alone and walked out of
the venue.
"How long have you been friends?"
"Daniel and I?" He asked and I nodded. "Well, since college."
"Hmm... that's why you became best of friends."
"Yeah. We are actually four in our group. Me, Daniel, Ryan and Alex. You will meet them later because
I'm sure they won't miss this event in Daniel's life."
"Even if it's fake?"
He looked at me directly. "Even if it's fake."
I just nodded.
"How about you, what do you do? I mean, are you working, studying or---"
"Working. I'm a dance instructor."
"Wow, that's great! So, you're teacher Sophia?"
"Yes, in some of my students, but for the rest, they call me Ms Sophia."
"Can I visit your studio sometime?"
"Why not? You can go there anytime you want."
"Can you give me a free dance lesson?"
"Sure."
I easily felt comfortable with him, unlike his best friend.
~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~
Daniel's POV:
-'You really know how to play your game, woman! Huh! Flirting with my best friend!'-
I formed my fists on my way out of the venue. I need to go out and calm my nerves before I find myself
dragging one of them out of the party.
A black sport's car stopped in front of me and when I saw my sister get out of the car, I immediately
masked my anger with a smile.
"Hi, baby sis." I greeted her and her eyes widened when she saw me.
"Ohh, hello, big brother. I missed you." she ran towards me and hugged my waist tightly.
"I missed you too. Thank you for coming."
I kissed her forehead before hugging her again. I really missed her, but of course, even I can't ask her
to live with me, I'm happy that she and one of my best friends Alex, finally admitted their love for each
other. They have been married for four years, but still living separately.
"Alex, bro." I turned to Alex with a knowing smile.
"Daniel."
We hugged each other in a manly and brotherly hug.
"Congratulations bro, you're finally settling down!" Alex patted me on the shoulder.
"Tss! I wish!" I snorted as I shook my head with what he said. I didn't miss the way they shared glances,
I just ignored them.
"Uhm... Dani, why are you here? It's your engagement party, you should be on your girlfriend's side."
"Girlfriend?" I looked at my sister with disapproval written on my face.
"Ohh, I mean 'fiancée', I'm sorry." she smiled and took my hand.
"Tss!" The word itself makes me dizzy in annoyance. The image of her flirting with Jack keeps on
dancing inside my mind.
"You seemed not happy, Dani."
"And who would that be? She's just into my money!" and that's the other reason why I can't feel being
close to her.
"Dani, you're ready judging her."
"You haven't met her Rian, just go inside and find her," I said in a not-so-interested mood.
"Wow! Daniel! Won't you even introduce us to her?" she asked mentioning my name.
If I really don't know what my sister is, I would just let them in alone. But no, she's ten times more
stubborn than me.
"Fine! I'll go with you!" I said rolling my eyes and lead the way inside.
We entered the mansion with a different expression on our face. They were so excited to go inside and
meet my so-called fiancée, while I silently pray that she's not with Jack anymore or I swear I'll tie her on
my hips.
"Wow! Honey, did I paint the wall red?" We heard our mom's voice from the corner and Rian smiled at
her.
"Yes honey, you also painted it with love and happiness." Dad is with her and smiling at the couple as
his arm rested around mom's shoulder and the other has a glass of wine.
"Mom, Dad." Rian hugged them one by one and Alex also copied her action.
They congratulated the two and talked about their married life. I just stood aside and listened to their
conversation.
"Now that you two are leaving together, I hope you can now give us a grandchild." Dad patted Alex on
the shoulder.
"Don't worry Sir, we're already in the process," he said confidently.
"Good. Because my son here has a lot of effort to make to produce one."
My face turned sour after hearing Dad's comment. I know he's referring to me. I really wanted to
interrupt them and say 'That is very impossible to happen', but I remained quiet even though my sister
is almost dying of laughter.
When they finally got an opportunity, they slowly escaped the conversation.
"What's the name again of your fiancée, Dani?"
I heard my sister's question. "Sophia."
I answered looking around the few people because I can't see her around.
"Are you looking for her?" she asked me again.
"Yes." But I was surprised when her voice sounded irritated.
"Can you at least form even a single or a simple sentence, Dani? God, you're so annoying!"
"And how do you want me to answer your questions? Her name is Sophia. Yes, I'm looking for her. Is
that what you want?" I asked her back with the same level of irritation, especially that I can't even see a
glimpse of that woman.
I turned to her when she giggled. "Yes! That's exactly what I want. And thank you for completing your
answers."
"Tss!" I snorted and continued to search from the crowd.
They both chuckled at me but my attention was too focused on finding Sophia and Jack in the middle of
the guests that gathering inside the venue. And I clenched my jaws when my eyes landed on her, but
now with Andrew added beside her.
"I found her!"
I pointed my finger in her direction. Her back is facing us but I'm sure she's Sophia because aside from
my mother, she's also wearing a purple dress tonight.
I noticed that Rian's frown grew deeper on our way towards her.
"Oh, God!"
And I looked at her confused when she gasped and covered her mouth.
"A-Are you sure.. she's your fiancée, Daniel?"
"Yes. Why?"
I asked furrowing my eyebrows. I don't know why she's acting strange all of a sudden.
But she didn't answer my question, instead, she went straight to Sophia while Alex and I followed her.
When she's stood a few steps away from her, she called her with a different name that made me
scrunch my whole face.
"Belle?"