Sophia Days passed, and things were not getting any easier for me. Physically, there was nothing wrong, and I couldn’t complain. In fact, I was more rested and energized than I had been in so long. Maybe even since we escaped that night from our burning home years ago. But mentally, I was a wreck. The fear that would settle into my every pore each time I thought about Kieran’s evil master plan to destroy the relationship between my sister and me got me good. Was I wrong to doubt Ellie like this? Absolutely yes. But I couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Kieran King was adamant about destroying the trust we had in each other. He would not think twice about using his own brother to accomplish his goals, and in this case, his goal was I. Why? I had no idea, and I failed to understand his motives, no matter how much I thought about it. I hadn’t seen him since we had talked in his office, and I thanked God for that. I had no wish to meet him because I didn’t want another surprise like the o
Sophia It was early Sunday morning, the day of my little sister’s wedding. We had our hair and make-up done, with mine being a simple bun and natural make-up, while Ellie looked like a real-life princess in the charming A-line dress she chose to wear. We were in the small side-room of the church where I helped her get dressed after the stylist who did the final touch-ups left. “You look stunning, sweetheart,” I gushed, and it earned me a beautiful, ecstatic smile from Ellie. “I’m so happy, sis. No words can explain it.” She was beaming! Her happiness was rolling off of her in waves, and I couldn’t fight its influence even if I wanted to. No matter the fact that I was truly content with the outcome of my sister’s ‘affair’ since it could have ended drastically different, I couldn’t help but wonder how we came to the point where she was pregnant and getting married at nineteen, and I was about to leave everything I knew behind and start a new life from scratch. Was it how I wanted ou
Sophia “Do you, Philip King, take here present Eleanor Howard to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” The priest asked the question. “Yes,” Philip’s resolved answer echoed off the church walls. “And do you, Eleanor Howard, take here present Philip King to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” “Yes,” Ellie’s voice chimed, thick with happiness. “Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace?” Priest inquired the present, and my head automatically snapped to the right, towards the place where Kieran stood. His eyes shone with a demonic glint, and I swallowed hard, praying to God and all invisible forces that existed or not t
Sophia ‘We have things to discuss, my ass,’ I thought as I paced nervously around my apartment. There was no chance of having a rational discussion with Kieran, no way in hell! Based on every previous encounter with Kieran, I was certain I could not have a constructive conversation with him. We did talk, yes, but that was always limited to him asking questions and demanding answers and me having a hard time resisting giving them. I was conflicted about him for sure, and I could not explain to myself why I said some things or why I failed to control my actions and why the feistiness I was so proud of my whole life had a tendency to dwindle when he was around, leaving me defenseless. It was something I didn’t understand, hence it scared me, but I had no intention of sticking around to find out the reasons behind it. That was my plan... Running away. What? It worked once before. It would again. It had to. Not wasting any more time, I rushed to the bedroom and placed a suitcase on th
Sophia “I’m not going back with you,” I stated with all the courage I could muster, looking him straight in the eyes. That statement deserved me a blank stare. “Get in the car.” If I ever thought of him being angry with me before, I was wrong... so very wrong. “Sophia.” My name rolled off his tongue, making my breath hitch for more reasons than one. “I won’t ask again.” “No, Kieran. I want my life back. I want to work and support myself with that work. I want to make new friends, go out, and maybe even travel now that I have a chance to think only about myself. I want to be selfish for a change!” I snapped. There. For a reason I could not explain, I told him everything I was hoping to get with this move I made. And it irked me like nothing else in the world that I couldn’t hold my tongue and keep my plans to myself. Kieran seemed to have lost his patience with me. He grabbed my forearm forcefully, his strong fingers boring into my muscles. My struggles were in vain because he was
Sophia It was Monday noon when Kieran drove into Washington, DC, downtown. Streets were busy and jammed; people were strolling around, sitting in the restaurant’s gardens, and enjoying the warm sun’s rays. I watched them through the window as we passed, wishing like never before to be part of the crowd, just another drop of water in the ocean… to be anywhere but trapped in this car with him. Kieran parked the SUV swiftly in front of one of the most important buildings - City Hall. So this is what he meant by ‘dealing with the question today.’ Damn. He circled the car and I couldn’t take my eyes off of his threatening appearance. Despite the fear that overtook every cell of my being, I stared at his clenched fists and white knuckles, sure of the amount of self-control he invested in not strangling me right where I sat. He opened the door for me and I stepped out, wondering if I should try to make a run for it, one last attempt to get away from Kieran. There were many people in the
Kieran She couldn’t escape from me. Not anymore. Because she was mine. I finally had her right where I wanted – beside me. I wanted… no! I needed to watch her every move, every breath, and with her leaving DC as she intended, it would be impossible. I had to do everything in my power to stop her. The mere thought of Sophia being away and me not being able to keep an eye on her, study her, and try to figure her out drove me crazy. I couldn’t explain to myself the urge that brewed inside - the urge for her. All I knew was that I needed her like the air I breathed. And damned I would be if I didn’t follow through. Could I have done something not as drastic as marrying her? Probably. But considering everything that transpired between us, being radical was my only fail-proof option. Because failing was not. The trip back to the company building passed in a blur, and I parked my car at the designated lot reserved for the CEO. I wasn’t lying to Sophia when I said I had work to catch u
Sophia When I woke up the next morning, it was barely dawn. The new day was creeping into the room, lighting up the unfamiliar surroundings. Where the fuck was I? A cold sweat washed over me and I froze, afraid to breathe, before memories flooded my mind; everything that happened yesterday rushed through my head at lightning speed, making me want to throw up. I tugged the soft cover off my body, trying to recall when I pulled it over myself, but I couldn’t even recall when I fell asleep. The last thing I remembered was sitting on the bed, contemplating what I should do and how I should act around Kieran in the future. Lazily, I got up and headed straight to the bathroom, where I took a moment to admire it again. It was clean and shiny to perfection, looking like a set from a home decor magazine, with the sensor lights and hydro-massagers in the shower, where I stayed longer than necessary simply enjoying the feeling. Fresh and woken up, I proceeded to unpack my suitcase, taking on