Sophia’s POV: Love Triangle?
It was already 10:36 pm and I was still at my office. I needed to go over some urgent paperwork. I’d been working harder than I’d ever done in my life since I returned to London. I had to prove that I was worthy and capable, whether this marriage would guarantee my position here or not.
I didn’t want to give Dad the satisfaction of thinking I was just a pretty airhead who could only be good as a wife and mother. Sure, I’m among the unlucky ones with arseholes as fathers but I wasn’t going to let that limit me anymore.
Although I’ve noticed that Dad’s been acting weird, for days now. Ever since the engagement party evening, his gaze has been distant, and he seemed out of it most of the time. There was no need to ask him what was going on with him, he wouldn’t tell me anyway, and we weren’t close enough to have such conversations.
“There you are!”
I snapped my head toward the voice that had startled me. “Christ, Harry. You scared the shit out of me.”
He approached my desk with a smile and plopped down on the seat across from me. “I’m sorry, but I knocked before entering. Thrice.”
“Oh… sorry, I was distracted,” I said. I didn’t know how to act or feel, usually, we met during the day for dates that seemed more of a formality than an actual date.
He studied my face for a beat. “Are you alright?” He asked.
I smiled a little and stood up to get wine from the refrigerator in my office. I poured it into two glasses, extending one to him. “I’m doing great, I just have some paperwork that needs to be submitted first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, that sucks. Need a hand?”
I down my drink in one go and he eyed my empty glass with concern. “It’s okay, I promise. I’ll be done soon. How’d you find me?”
“I called you to talk but you weren’t picking up, so I went to your place and the housekeeper said you weren’t home yet,” He shrugged, smiling sweetly.
Harry wasn’t dangerous, cold, domineering, or possessive. None of those unhealthy things I’ve grown to like but didn’t need.
I groaned inwardly as I caught myself thinking of Ivan. Again.
“Just like that?” I chuckled. “I could have been anywhere, at Dad’s, Daisy’s, or a club.”
“I just knew you’d be here,” he said, smiling fondly.
And I winced inwardly. I still need to talk to him about my plans for a divorce after our marriage, if he starts getting too close to me, things are going to get messy.
I cleared my throat. “I’ll be here for at least one more hour, you’re sure that’s okay?”
“Sure, I don’t mind staying here with you, I’m sure you could use my company.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly as I got back to work.
“You are so pretty like this, focusing on work and all,” He said softly, admiration etched on his face.
I placed a hand over my heart, “Ouch, so I’m not pretty when I’m not working?” I quipped as I fought my grin.
He chuckles, “That’s not what I meant. Are you fishing for compliments? You’re easily the most beautiful woman in any room you walk into.”
My grin won the battle. “Aww, thank you.” I turned to continue with my work but paused. “You said you called to talk, what is it you needed to talk about?”
“I wanted to know your plans for tomorrow because I wanted to invite you to a fundraiser event and also give you a surprise,” he beamed.
“A surprise? What is it, please? Can I get a hint?” I asked curiously.
“I guess I’ll have to give you the surprise now since I’m already here,” he grinned.
“Please tell me what it is already or I might die from curiosity,” I chuckled.
He reached into his pockets. “Alright, alright,” he laughs. Then he pulled out a small navy blue and gold embroidered jewellery box.
My heart skipped. It was clear as day. Fuck, no.
He opened the box, revealing a beautiful, expensive diamond ring. “This is my family ring and I want to give it to you,” he grinned widely, looking very excited and pleased with himself. He stood up from his seat and walked around the table to me.
I couldn’t say anything, I couldn’t move. How do I tell him I didn’t want this ring? That all these don’t matter because I had plans to dissolve our marriage after I’ve gotten what I wanted?
He wheeled my chair around to face him and he knelt on one knee. “I know our marriage is merely an agreement between our fathers, but I also wanted to do things the right way.” He inhaled sharply as his eyes bore into mine and what I saw in his eyes made my heart ache. It would take a blind man not to see the affection his eyes held… for me.
This is a disaster. I was feeling a lot of things at once, fear, guilt, sadness. I didn’t want to hurt Harry, he was such a sweet and kind person. God, I feel like shit.
He continued. “I know didn’t have the traditional engagement or courting process, but I wanted you to have this.” He took my left hand and slipped the ring on. “You deserve this,” he beamed up at me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I.. Uh… thank you… Harry. It-it really is a beautiful ring, I’m honoured.” I forced a smile. “B-but don’t you think this is uh… a little too much? What I mean is, we could use another ring to symbolise our union, we don’t have to use this… something so important.”
His gaze softened. “No, I want you to have this. Please.”
I tucked away the discussion about getting a divorce after we’ve gotten married. That could wait until later, for now, I’ll just give him what he wants. “I’ll accept it. Thank you, Harry. It really is beautiful.” I smiled at him before admiring the ring on my finger.
He stood and pulled me up too, startling me. “I’m glad you like it,” he grinned.
“This looks like it cost a fortune, can I sell it?” I joked to ease the tension I was feeling. But he ignored my remark.
“Can I hug you?” He asked softly, looking at me expectantly. “Please.”
I don’t answer. I just pulled him in for a hug. I let it go on for a while before I pulled back and he chuckled nervously.
“Thank you,” he said.
Everything felt weird and I shifted slightly with discomfort. I thought of a way to change the topic. “So, um… the fundraiser thing… What time is it? What is it about?”
“Oh, it’s just a charity event my family organises every year, but this year is kind of different. I’m hosting it with some friends and I invited some important people also. I’d love you to come along.”
I smiled. “Sure, I’ll be there.”
“Great,” he grinned widely and he went on chatting about how fun and amazing the fundraising event was every year. While I listened.
He drove me home afterward and I lay in bed looking at the enormous diamond ring on my finger which served as a reminder that Harry was indeed falling for me, he was taking the whole marriage thing seriously.
Maybe after the charity event, I could speak to him about my plans, and let him know where I stand before it was too late. It would hurt him but it was better to be honest.
I reached for my phone, took a picture of the ring on my hand, and sent it to the group chat. Then I dropped my phone and waited for their replies.
Seconds later, my phone chimed severally with notifications of incoming messages.
Daisy: Hell no!! It’s not what I’m thinking right?
Nick: You wanna sell it? *Inserts thinking emoji*
Daisy: Idiot, I think that’s from Harry.
Nick: Oh….
Nick: Wtfffff?!
Nick: Wait, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Daisy: Ffs Nicholas It is a bad thing, she was gonna tell him about the divorce plan, remember? This ring looks too precious, I think he’s falling for her.
Nick:
Nick: Bitch! Say something!?!
Me: Yes it’s from Harry, a family heirloom or something.
Me: Yes, I think he has feelings for me, which is a bad thing.
Me: No, I did not see this coming.
Daisy: I guess you didn’t let him know your plans early, why?
Me: I was going to let him know when we next meet up for a date but he showed up at my office, unannounced and at almost 11 pm!
Nick: Yep…he’s definitely into ya.
Daisy: What are you going to do?
Me: I’ll figure something out. We have a fundraising event tomorrow, I’ll tell him afterward.
Nick: Ermm…. Okay….
Daisy: Just make sure you do. To avoid any further issues.
Me: Sure, thanks, guys. Goodnight.
Nick: Nite Soph.
Daisy: G’night babes.
Yep, fundraising event, tell him my plans. Problem solved. No big deal.