Sophia’s POV
The following week, I resumed work at Dad’s company. I hadn’t heard anything about the whole marriage agreement. Dad hasn’t said anything and neither has Harry contacted me. It’s not like I’m eager, I just want to get this over with.
A knock on my door draws my attention up from the documents I was reviewing. “Come in,” I said softly.
Rosie, my Dad’s secretary, walks.
“How may I help you, Rosie?” I asked softly.
“Mr. Smith asked me to give you this, he says it’s important.” She hands me a piece of paper.
I took a glance at the paper. There’s a reservation for a restaurant, time, and Harry’s number. I frowned, why couldn’t he just get him to call me or something? Well, it was nothing serious.
“Alright. You may go.”
“I think that suit makes you look too formal and serious,” Nick says as his nose scrunched up in disapproval.
“Agreed,” Daisy added. “You don’t always have to wear a suit, you’re going on a date.”
“You’re both idiots. Nothing’s wrong with it,” I grumbled, checking out my outfit one more time in the mirror. I’m wearing a maroon trouser suit piece. I had called them on video chat, to ask what their opinion was and it turned out to be a mistake because this was the fourth outfit they’d disapproved of.
“Sophia, darling, you’re going on a date and not to see the queen. Scratch that, I’m sure you could slay to the palace, you’re dressed like you’re going to a business meeting with your dad.” Nick explained.
“Please wear the black shimmer dress I got you from France, your walk-in-wardrobe won’t wear it, babes,” Daisy whined.
I let out an exasperated sigh, “Daisy, you know I can’t wear that, I’m sorry.”
“No, you can. You just keep telling yourself that. You’ve got to let go of the toxic shit you learned. You can be feminine and be that boss you want to be, you know I’m right. Fuck whatever your dad has fed you with for all these years,” Daisy said.
I thought about it. All my life I felt I wasn’t taken seriously because of my appearance, people see beauty before they see anything else. Okay, I know everyone sees the outer part first, but people do not care about getting to know the ‘real me’. I’d always had to dress in serious outfits no matter the occasion. During my teen years, I had to dress like a boy until I got sick of it. It wasn’t really my thing.
I feel like if I don’t act more maturely, I won’t be given opportunities. And seriously, what twenty-four-year-old looks eighteen?
“Don’t overthink this, Soph,” Nick said.
“So?” Daisy probed.
“Fine, I’ll put it on-” There’s squealing and screaming from both of them. “Guys, c’mon, seriously.” I rolled my eyes.
“You’re going to be the most stunning date ever, he wouldn’t be a match for you,” Nick said excitedly.
I rolled my eyes at that. This wasn’t even a real date! It wasn’t like I had feelings for the guy or anything.
“What about your hair and make-up? Please don’t tie your hair in a ponytail as usual. Wait how much time until you have to leave?” Daisy asked.
“Uhmm, an hour or so,” I replied.
“Perfect! I and Nick will be there soon. You need help with your hair and make-up.” Daisy said firmly.
“Uh… nope, I have an appointment,” Nick grumbled.
Daisy pinned Nick with a glare. “No, you don’t. You’re coming with me.” She turns her face back to the camera, “Gotta go, so we can arrive early. Bye!”
Nick and Daisy had done a nice job styling my hair and applying my makeup. I was dressed in the black shimmer dress Sophia got me. It was a halter-neck dress, ankle-length but with a slit from mid-thigh down and it hugged me perfectly.
I got to the restaurant and Harry was there already. He stood up as soon as I got to our reserved table and pecked both my cheeks, before pulling out a chair for me.
“Hi,” he says.
“Hi,” I replied.
“Would you like to place an order now?” He asked politely.
“Sure, if that’s fine by you,” I said.
He signalled a waiter over, we picked what we both wanted on the menu and waited for it to be ready.
Harry seems to be a perfect gentleman. He looks nice, and his smile is nice. He is polite. He’s wearing a nice grey suit and has his hair styled, his nails are trim and neat. I could work with that, we could make this marriage work. It shouldn’t be that hard, right?
“So, I figured you weren’t informed about us beforehand last week,” Harry said.
My face felt hot. I didn’t think he’d bring it up. “No, I wasn’t. I’m sorry about my behaviour, but it’s just wrong to be informed of something as serious as marriage in that manner and out of the blue too. I wasn’t even part of the decision-making,” I huffed.
He chuckled. It wasn’t as deep and smug as the ones that have been ingrained in my brain. Everything about him is nice and warm. He’s exactly the kind of guy I should be interested in, the kind I could see a future with. And he’s giving me all the signs of being interested. But I missed being in Ivan’s arms.
Fuck, I think I’m broken. I had said I didn’t want a dangerous man but someone safe and nice. I have the perfect gentleman in front of me, but it’s that scary Russian who keeps invading my mind. Harry doesn’t have tattoos, his pale blue eyes keep reminding me that he’s not Ivan and could never be even if he tried.
Stop comparing them! I scolded myself.
“Ah…sorry about. I too was informed a few hours before the lunch meeting,” he said simply.
“Oh…” I trailed off realizing he was a victim in this also, but, “Why didn’t you just refuse? I mean you had that option too,” I asked.
Just then the servers came back with our food, placing them neatly on the table.
“So?” I probed as soon as they left.
“Well, they’ve been asking me to get married for the longest. I think I’m the only one in my family who didn’t get married before they turned twenty-six. I figured I couldn’t just fight it off this time. Not with my granny blackmailing me emotionally,” he smiled fondly at that last statement.
I smiled back, “So that’s it? Emotional blackmail?”
“Yea… she doesn’t have much time and she’s really precious to me,” he explained. “Plus, marriage arrangements are common in my family, your family gets to choose your spouse most times.”
“Fine,” I said. “I think we should get to know each other properly if we are going to do this.”
He plays with the stem of his wine glass. “True, you’re right. We could go on more dates before our engagement party which is in two weeks-”
“Engagement party?” I whisper-shout.
He looked surprised, “Yes, engagement party, in two weeks. You didn’t know?”
“Of course, I didn’t,” I snapped. I know it’s not his fault, but I’m too pissed right now to care. I’m never informed, never in control. I agreed to this shitty alliance and Dad didn’t have the decency to at least keep me updated.
His expression is filled with concern and remorse now. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I thought you knew,” he said softly. “Okay, here’s what we will do. I would get your number, to keep you updated, I mean we are getting married I should have your number. Don’t you think so?”
“Yes, sure, you’re right. Your phone, please.” I stretched out my hand to him and he handed over his phone and I quickly dialled my number on it.
“Are you alright?” He asks, taking back his phone when I was done. “You seem really upset.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” I smiled.
The night goes on smoothly after that. We got to ask basic questions about ourselves. He made me laugh, he was nice.
And when it was time to go home, he dropped me off. I’m sure I’d be able to live with being his wife. Granted, it wouldn’t be a love-filled marriage but at least he was kind. That would do it.
Dad gets what he wants and I get what I want. A win-win situation for everyone.