Sophia’s POV:
It’s been over thirty-eight hours since I’ve been discharged from the hospital and I have to endure the overwhelming concern from everyone.
I’m at Ivan’s penthouse-not that I wanted to be here in the first place-and everyone keeps watching over me like a hawk, especially Ivan.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being ungrateful, I appreciate their concerns and worries, but I am fine and no matter how much I say this, they never believe. Alright, I’m not fine, I know I’m not, and I still feel scared, but I will be fine soon, I’ve been here before and it is honestly not the end of the world.
To make matters worse, they’ve all been acting weird, Sasha and Ivan seem to be working overtime in the company, and they have lots of meetings. Nick and Daisy keep trying to errm… distract me? I’m not sure.
Sometimes my mind wanders to Harry, why did he do that? Was he drunk? Why did he hide the fact that he was hurt? Does he feel sorry for what he did? I need to know where he is. No one gave me any solid information on Harry, I just wish I had my phone on me. The ‘not knowing’ is killing me.
But they won’t tell me where my phone is and Daisy kept saying I probably left it at my apartment.
Seriously I don’t know why they are gathered here at Ivan’s place, it’s like we are all one big family.
Which is weird and funny.
“You’re thinking too hard over there,” Daisy said, startling me. I flashed her a warm smile as she walked over to the bed and sat down beside me. “How are you?”
Still smiling, I nodded slightly. “I’m good but bored. More reasons why you guys have to let me out of here or hand over my phone.”
Something akin to panic flashed across her face, if I wasn’t looking really hard, I wouldn’t have noticed it. Weird.
She cleared her throat. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to be bored for long. You have an appointment with Dr. Amelia in two hours.”
I groaned loudly. “How does that solve anything? She’s my therapist, how does meeting her help with this boredom you guys have subjected me to?”
She took my hands in hers. “I know, I understand you’re sick of staying indoors and as much as you think you’re fine, you’re not. Babes, you went through something traumatic, you need to see a professional, I know there are things you might not want to say to us but you might open up to her. Okay?”
“Okay,” I say, even though I know I might never be able to open up to anyone what had happened to me in the past.
Her smile is wide and pure. “That’s my girl! C’mon, you need to get ready. I’m coming with you.”
I frowned. “What? You’re my babysitter or something?”
There’s a mischievous grin on her face. “Or something.”
“Oh, fuck you,” I chuckled, moving toward the bathroom to have a shower.
Yes, I know they mean well. Therapy is good and all but can it really help in this case?
Though I know they are all hiding something…
Ivan’s POV:
“Things are looking really bad, Ivan. Even my skills and methods can’t solve everything,” Sasha complained as she paced back and forth in my office.
“I understand that and thank you for all your help. I’m waiting to hear back from Harry then I’ll know what to do, right now he’s ten steps ahead of us. Any wrong move will hurt the company and Sophia’s image even more,” I explained.
“I know you’re right, I’m just worried. I feel so bad for her,” Sasha said, her voice shaking a little.
I can understand her, I feel the same way too. All I want is to protect her but this bastard is out there making things worse. He knows I can’t just kill him off, that would make things worse. He’s royalty and now the country’s sweetheart, a victim in the eyes of the people.
Doesn’t mean I’ll let him go free, I’d rather die. Even if it takes me years to make him pay, I will, no matter how difficult.
There has to be a way…
That’s a problem for later anyway.
“What about Sophia? Has she gone for her appointment?” I asked.
Sasha walked over to my desk and took a seat. “Yeah, Daisy went with her.”
“Good.”
Sasha let out a sigh. “How long do you think we can hide this from her? She will eventually find out one day. I know you’re trying to protect her, but for how long?”
The logical part of my brain knew Sasha was right, but the part that just wanted to protect Sophia at all costs didn’t care.
“Let me worry about that, Sasha. I will keep this from her for as long as I can when we get to that bridge, we will cross it,” I said firmly.
Just then my door flung open and Sid rushed in.
“Ivan,” he pants, sounding out of breath.
“What?” I asked, taking in his state. He looked like he’s got something important to say and probably took the stairs instead of the elevators to get here.
He doesn’t respond immediately, struggling to catch his breath.
“Jesus, Sid. Did you run all the way up here?” Sasha asked.
He offered her a weak smile, nodding slightly.
He inhaled deeply and walked closer to my desk, dropping his phone in front of me. “He responded.”
I picked up the phone and read the text.
+44 XXXX: Tomorrow, 10 pm. I’ll send the address an hour before then, just to be safe.
No guards, no arms. Come alone. I mean it, no funny business. Otherwise, I’d go to Sophia myself and I’ll let her in on your little secret. About how you had her father killed…
My grip tightened around the phone as I read the last sentence.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. How could he have known about that? I’d underestimated this bastard.
Fine, I’ll play his silly little game.