Chapter 3 Accepting the deal

Daniel's POV:

"Daniel! What did you do to Sophia? What did you told her?"

I just closed my eyes when I heard the voice of my Mom from the phone. She served as my alarm clock this morning.

"I didn't do anything mom----"

"Then why did she back out with the deal? She called me this morning and she said she won't accept the deal anymore!"

"Mom, it's her problem and not mine. If she decided to back out, then fine----"

"Daniel Kelley!"

-'Oh God, mentioning again my whole name'-

"I didn't raise you to become rude and disrespectful towards women!"

"Mom, I told you I didn't do anything to her!"

"Make it sure, son. I asked her but she refused to tell me what happened between the two of you yesterday. Son please, Sophia is a fine young woman. And she's your only hope to get the investment that you and your dad wanted to get."

"But I can find my own woman. I can find my own fiancee, Mom!" I said scratching my eyebrows while getting up in bed.

"Fine! I'll let you get your own fiancee, but make it sure that it's not one of your women in the past!"

I just rolled my eyes.

"What's with that girl, and you wanted me to marry her? She's nothing special, Mom! I mean yes, she's beautiful but other than that, I can't find any thing about her. She's just an ordinary woman."

"Give her a chance, son. And you will know that she's different from the women you have met and yet will meet. She's special Daniel."

I chuckled with her explanation. "Mommy, since when you became a poet?"

"Daniel Kelley! I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay!" I said while trying to suppress my laugh. "But Mom please, just give me time to find my own fiancee to this contract."

"But what if you failed and you haven't found any woman?"

"Then I'll take your girl."

"Okay, I'll give you one week, so start it now!"

"But Mom, that's too short----"

"No! We only have two and a half weeks left, before the planned engagement party. So, if after one week and you still haven't found a girl, then you have no choice but to marry Sophia."

"Fine."

"Okay, bye son. Take care, I love you."

"Thanks Mom, I love you too."

"Whoh!" I sighed loudly as I fall back myself on top of the bed. I closed my eyes but the image of Sophia blocked my head.

I remember our first meeting yesterday. She said she's wearing a purple jacket, but she's the only one inside the coffee shop whose wearing purple. I admit she's beautiful, and when she drew her face closer to me, her scent filled my nostrils. And her lips was the first thing I've noticed. They looked so soft and pinkish, and I had to look directly into her eyes to blocked my wild imaginations.

"Oh God! Why am I thinking that woman? She's like the other woman around! She's just after my account!"

I massaged my temples and get up again. It's saturday today but I have to go to the office for some important meeting.

~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~

Sophia's POV:

"No! Per favore Joseph, non farlo!" (Please Joseph, don't do this!) I cried and begged him to stop but he continued to rip my clothes.

"Fermare? Perché dovrei?" (Stop? Why would I?)

And he laughed on top of me in his demonic laugh. He pinned both of my hands over my head while his lips were sucking the skin of my neck. I can feel his manhood poking down my belly. And I felt so helpless, I can't even move under him.

"Puoi aspettare la prima notte di nozze?" ( Can you just wait for the wedding night?) I continued to cry.

"Ma non posso più aspettare, amore mio. Ho bisogno di te adesso! Hai un profumo così buono!" (But I can't wait any longer, my love. I need you right now! You smell so good!)

And I screamed when his hand cupped my left breast as his lips continued to nibble my neck. I tried to struggle more under his stinking body, when he positioned himself in between my legs.

"No! Per favore non farlo! Farò tutto quello che vuoi che faccia, per favore non farlo! Questa è molestia! Questa è stupro!" (No! Please, don't do this! I'll do whatever you want me to do, just please don't do this! This is harassment! This is rape!)

"Oh, no amore mio. Nessuno può chiamarlo stupro, perché sei la mia fidanzata e presto diventerai moglie."

(Oh, no my love. No one can call it rape, because you're my fiancee and soon become my wife.)

"No, No, No-----"

"Noooo!"

I screamed on top of my lungs as I jolted out in sleep. I am catching my breath while wiping the beads of sweats all over my neck and forehead. I dreamed of it again. No, it was a nightmare. A nightmare from my past, and it started again when I saw Joseph in the parking lot of the mall, one week ago.

"Sophia! Sophia, are you okay?"

I heard Craig's voice outside my door before he came to my view. He's carrying my pussy.. I mean my white blue eyed persian cat, and her name is pussy.

"Hey, I heard your scream. Are you okay?" he take a seat on the edge of my bed.

"Yeah, it was just a nightmare." I tried to smile but I lowered my head and closed my eyes tightly to control the tears from falling down.

"You're having nightmares again?"

I nodded. He knows everything. I told him one day when I can no longer hold back the tears and he was there to comfort me. He's my assistant dance instructor and he was with me during those times when I was just starting this career. And we started to build the Sophia's Dream-dance studio two years ago. He became my friend and a brother since then and until now.

"Why don't you take Mrs. Kelley's deal? It's a huge advantage, Sophia. She already gave you the permission to use their name to find Layla, and to put Joseph in jail."

"Craig, it's not easy to accept her deal! I mean, the responsibilities and obligations inside that marriage. I will become his son's trophy wife and then what, Joseph will easily find me. Kelley's aren't just simple people. They are famous and well known family in Los Angeles."

"Yes, and that means they are also influential and powerful people. Do you think that bastard Joseph will get close to you that easily, if he finds out that you're married to a certain Kelley? One of the top bachelors in Los Angeles? Come on, think of it Sophia!"

I sighed loudly as I dropped my head on my both hands.

"I don't know, Craig. My nightmares are hunting me again. And it feels like everything were just happened yesterday, and not six years ago."

"Sophia, excuses will always be there for you but oppurtunity won't. It will only knock once in your door, so while it still knocking, open your door and grab it! Who knows, this would lead you to get the justice you've longed to get."

"But Craig, her son doesn't want me to be his wife. And I told you he insulted and judged me already!"

"Oh, come on! You went through a lot of judgements before in your life. You already took insults from your own father----"

"Ouch! Way to add salt to my injury?"

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I just want you to open your eyes, Sophia. As I was saying, you went through a lot in your life before. And if her son throw you insults again or judge you for accepting the deal, then so be it! Let him judge you, besides what all he knew was only your name and not your real story!"

I bite my lips as I scratched the back of my ears because of confusion. It's one of my mannerisms if I really don't know what to do next.

"Why, are you going to die if he throw you insults again, or if he tell you that you've just accepted her mother's offer because of money?"

I shook my head.

"Are you not going to survive for one day hearing his judgement? It's just a word or words coming from one person, Sophia. What important is your goal, your plan, yourself! His insults won't help you to find Layla, and his words won't also help you to seek justice for what Joseph did to you! Call it desperate way, so what? As long as it's not true and you know for yourself!"

He paused and take both of my hands.

"Mrs. Kelley also know the truth. We're all just here behind you. Stand up and fight! What's his name, again?"

"Name of who?"

"Your soon to be husband."

"Daniel. Daniel Kelley."

"Daniel Kelley, tss! Show that man who the real Sophia Ysabelle is! The woman who fights and does not easily give up on any situation that she's in."

A smile creeped through my lips after hearing those words from him. Atleast I still have Craig who treats me like a sister more than a friend.

I sighed and my eyes landed at my cat whose still rubbing her head on Craig's arm.

"Hi my pussy." I lifted her and put her in my lap.

Craig chuckled as he shook his head.

"Why did you name her pussy, of all the names that you can give to her?"

"Just for fun." I shrugged and continued to rub pussy's fur. "Why, isn't it beautiful, Pussy?"

We both laughed at the name. I was about to get up when I heard my phone ring. We both looked at each other when I saw the name 'Mrs. Kelley' on the screen.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kelley." I answered while looking at Craig's eyes. It's in the loud speaker.

"Hi sweety, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Kelley."

"I'm sorry for what my son told you during your meeting. But please Sophia, if you really dont want to accept my offer, let me help you."

I bite my bottom lip as I take a deep breath. Craig continued to encourage me to accept the deal by nodding his head.

"I accept the deal, Mrs. Kelley."

"Oh, my sweety. I'm so happy. Thank you, Sophia. I'm going to tell my husband and set the date of the engagement!" she said excitedly.

"But I just have some favor if it's possible?"

"Oh sure, whatever it is sweety. If you're not busy today, can we meet to discuss this deal and your favors?"

"Y-Yeah sure, just tell me the place Mrs. Kelley."

"Don't worry about it, 'cause I'm gonna pick you up. Is ten o'clock okay with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine with me."

"Okay. Be ready at ten sweety. Bye."

"Bye Mrs. Kelley."

I ended the call and looked at Craig.

"Go! Take a bath while I'm preparing our breakfast."

"Thanks Craig, you're the best." I smiled and hugged him before I get up.

"Of course!" he also smiled and winked at me.

~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~

"Don't hesitate to tell me whatever you want, Sophia. I will listen to you." Mrs. Kelley said and smiled at me.

I nodded.

We are now inside the restaurant and waiting for our orders.

"Let's talk about the engagement party and then next is the wedding. What motif do you want for the party?"

"Uhm.. whatever you want Mrs. Kelley. It's okay with me." I said smiling.

"No, it's your wedding. I'll give you all the decisions, for the motifs.. everything!"

I sighed when I heard the word decisions.

"Uhm.. can we.... can we just make the party .. uhm.. private, Mrs. Kelley?"

"Private? What do you mean? Don't you want a big party? A big celebration for your wedding?"

"I'm just not comfortable with huge parties and events. Besides I want it to keep private from the public, especially from Joseph's knowledge. I don't want him to know where I am, where I live and everything about me. Your son is not just an ordinary person Mrs. Kelley. Paparazzi and other media surrounds him everyday, and I don't want them to follow me everywhere."

She take my both hands and smiled.

"I understand, Sophia. If that's what you want, we're going to keep it in private. No paparazzi and other media on your engagement party and on your wedding. We're just going to get some professional photographers and videographers to cover the whole events."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kelley." I returned her smile.

"Let's talk about the deal. You're going to marry my son and my husband and I, we are going help you to find Layla and to make that Joseph guy rot in jail! I'll promise you that!"

"Thank you. And one more thing, Ma'am."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can we also keep this deal in private? I mean, can we not let anyone know about my reason of marrying your son?"

"What about your your husband?"

I gulped. "Soon to be husband Mrs. Kelley."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

"I don't want him to know my reason, besides it's just a contractual a marriage. After one year, or whenever they get the investment and I get the justice for what Joseph did to me, we're going to separate our ways again and file a divorce."

"Well, it's your decision, I understand."

"Uhm..what am I going to do as your son's wife?"

"Well, you're just going to pretend as his loving wife in all his business events, or parties that needed your appearance as his partner. But don't worry, you don't have to act as his wedded wife at home, you still have your private life even when you're married to him. But both of you are not allowed to date or see another man and woman while you're still married to each other."

I just nodded.

"What about uhm.. you know..after our wedding?

"Love making?"

I bite my bottom lip.

"Well in that case, since you're both grown adults, it's up to you if you're going to consummate your marriage."

My eyes widened a bit but she just smiled at me.

"You know what, I like you Sophia. And to be honest with you, I like you for my son."

"Mrs. Kelley-----"

"It's true, sweety. And I'm hoping that one day, this marriage of convenience will also be marriage to forever." she shrugged, but I can't help myself not to laugh at her last word.

-'Forever?'-

"That is so impossible, Ma'am. Your son is a bit rude and arrogant." I didn't hesitate to tell her what's my real opinion about her son.

She looked surprised at first but she laughed eventually.

"You forgot something, he's also cold sweety." and she laughed again. "This is why I like you, Sophia. You're a straightforward person. If you like something or anything, you tell it right away. But if not, you don't hesitate to point it out."

"Because for me, honesty is the best policy, Mrs. Kelley."

"You got me there, sweety. But I also want you to know, that Daniel despite of being cold and a bit arrogant, he's also a real gentleman, Sophia. I am not telling you this because he's my son. Just make your patience a little bit longer."

I just smiled at her and breathed a sigh of relief.