Sophia’s Point of View
My world was still reeling from the implicit consequences of Kate’s words but she was still speaking to her blackmailer over the phone.
“Listen to me carefully, either take my money and keep your mouth shut or I will shut it up for you. Permanently.” She threatened.
She sounded so dead serious that whatever doubts I might have had about her conversation disappeared.
Kate was ready to kill to keep the secret that the child she carried wasn’t for Jerry Baxter.
But that wasn’t my concern, no, not in the slightest bit because I was bothered by something more.
Because if Jerry was infertile then this child was for my one night stand.
I couldn’t decide if I was happy or sad about this revelation.
It was one thing to wish that the father of my child wouldn’t be someone like Jerry. It was another thing entirely to know for sure that the father was a stranger I barely recalled.
All I could remember was the ouroboros tattoo across his back, the ticklish feeling of his long hair on my collarbone, the numbing taste of alcohol and the bitter taste of regret the morning after.
My one night stand’s face, features and even the conversation we had as we were getting wasted were completely lost to time, my drugged drink and my initial unwillingness to remember anything about that night when I had acted like the whore Jerry claimed I was.
Now that I had to remember, my mind stayed blissfully blank.
I noticed I was no longer hearing Kate’s voice from the bathroom. Thinking fast, I moved ducking into one of the dimly lit passages to the side and not a moment after I moved, the bathroom door swung open and Kate stepped out.
I wasn’t scared of Kate or anything but I just figured it was wise not to let someone who was capable of killing to keep a secret be aware that I knew the said secret. So I was hiding.
Once Kate’s footsteps faded away, I stepped out of my hiding spot and entered the bathroom to retrieve my phone.
As I picked up my phone, I wondered what I was going to do about what I had just heard. If it had been any other man, I would have told him the truth about his fiancee.
But it wasn’t any other man. It was flipping Jerry Baxter. The man who I had zero obligations to help. Besides, he was already causing problems in my fake marriage, Jerry Baxter could deal with this himself.
My fake marriage. At this point, my life felt as tedious as those soap operas Mom loved.
My resolve made, I headed back to the hall only to see Mr Prescott back in our seat and glaring at no one in particular, his gaze softening slightly as he caught sight of me.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked once I reached our table.
Disoriented. I wanted to say but I couldn’t so I just forced on a smile instead.
“Better, thank you.” I said.
I was about to take my seat when Daphe East suddenly turned up at our table.
Yes, the Daphne East that had been near climbing Reid at the office. The one Mr Prescott said didn’t matter. Yes, that very one.
“Reid,” Daphne beamed at him completely ignoring me. “What a surprise.” She exclaimed.
Even though she was pretty much ignoring my existence, I couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly beautiful Daphne East was.
In her classy forest green dress with barely any make up on and her long natural red hair flowing down her back in thick waves, she looked like a fairy.
Mr Prescott stood up looking at Daphne with an easy smile on his face that made something knot up in my chest.
“Daphne, what are you doing here?”
She shrugged casually in response, that impossibly pretty smile still on her face.
“Nothing much, just scoping out a possible investment opportunity, Reid.”
“Of course you are,” Mr Prescott said with an almost rueful shake of his head then he placed his hand on my waist nudging me forward slightly. “Daphne, this is my wife.”
Daphne’s light green eyes fell on me and though her smile remained, it seemed colder.
“Sophia, it’s a pleasure,” She said with obvious false cheer holding her hand out for me to shake.
After a moment of hesitation, I took Daphne’s outstretched hand only for her nails to dig painfully into my hand as her smile broadened.
“I’ve really been hoping to see the woman who finally bagged the unattainable Reid Prescott.”
The words sounded like a threat that resonated within me even when Daphne let go of my hand leaving barely visible half moon indents on my skin.
Not long ago I had wanted to end the contract because of her, if I let her get to me, Mr Prescott would think I was being jealous. Which I wasn’t.
“Nice to meet you too.” I said finally forcing a smile onto my face.
Daphne’s gaze on me sharpened.
“So tell me, Sophia, how does a woman move from the Modern day Cinderella to waitress divorcee to happily married to Reid Prescott in barely a few months?” She said, her voice soft and playful but carrying all the venom of a snake.
Beside me, I felt Mr Prescott stiffen slightly as though he was just noticing the undercurrent between Daphne and I.
A laugh escaped me matching the feigned playfulness in Daphne’s voice.
“You seem to know a lot about me, Daphne,” I said with a smile. “I apologise that I cannot say the same. My husband has barely mentioned you. As I don’t know anything about you, I can’t share personal information about my life with you.”
Was I being petty? Probably. But I would never let anyone walk all over me again as Kate and the Baxters had done.
Daphne’s smile disappeared and I saw the first glimpse of anger in her eyes.
“Your humble background shows.” She said her voice losing its sickly sweet edge.
“Enough Daphne,” Mr Prescott cut in looking more enraged than I felt and drawing more than a few stares with his suddenly raised voice. “You will speak to my wife with respect.”
I saw the shock race across Daphne’s face, a twin to mine at Mr Prescott’s words.
He was taking my side despite the fact that he and I were sort of fighting?
“But Reid, I didn’t-” Daphne tried to backtrack but Mr Prescott was having none of it.
“We cannot remain business associates if you feel it is alright to insult my wife.” He started evenly and Daphne’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
“You can’t break up our alliance like this.” She gasped.
Mr Prescott didn’t even respond to her. Instead, he took my hand and I watched Daphne notice the motion.
Her expression quickly shifted to one of chagrin and contriteness.
“I apologize, Reid, I meant no insult by mentioning your wife’s background,” She said. “I found it admirable and simply wanted to compliment her on her sense of perseverance, against all odds. I misspoke,”
Daphne’s lower lip wobbled slightly, her eyes glazing over as though she was holding back tears as she spoke.
“You know me, Reid, I might be a pain sometimes but I’m not a bully.”
I saw Mr Prescott’s slight waver even through his anger before he finally spoke gruffly.
“You are apologising to the wrong person, Daphne.”
She turned to face me, tears still in her eyes but I have never seen a more venomous look.
“I’m sorry if I offended you, Sophia. I shouldn’t have been so tactless. I sincerely hope we can be friends.”
Looking into her eyes, I knew she meant the exact opposite. And I also knew that by Mr Prescott taking my side, I’d just made a lifelong enemy.