PART OF HER WORLD

CHAPTER 10

Breakfast had been a little awkward as Margret had shown up early and found Asher fixing coffee in the kitchen. Sophia, however, had painted a cheery face and acted as if Jason showing up had never happened. She knew full well that she should call in a complaint, and she did intend to, but she was going to call her family lawyer first and have her accompany her to make the grievance. Then they could not ignore her, not with her lawyer there. Whether they decided to enforce Jason's restraining order or not was another story, but at least she was doing something.

Asher had only stayed until ten and she was home alone. When she awoke this morning, she was wrapped securely in his strong protective arms. It was a pleasant way to wake up and she wanted to stay in his arms all day, but they both had a lot to do before the gala tonight. Sipping her tea, she waited for her lawyer to return her call and the time slipped by with no return call. Sophia decided to see if she could stay with Margret until she did get a hold of her lawyer, just to be on the safe side.

It was nearly supper time before Margret and Sophia had finished packing a few things for her to bring and as she got in Margret's car, she realized just how scared she was of Jason returning.

"Sophia, are you sure you don't need anything else ... I mean, after all, you only pack three bags?" Margret's husband, Todd asked, with a chuckle.

"Oh now leave her alone." Margret defended her as she closed her door.

"Look, I really appreciate this; I promise I will only bug you for a night or two ...  If Asher can't stay for a few days that is,” she said, the heat rising in her cheeks like a volcano.

"Asher?" Who is Asher?" Todd asked protectively as they drove.

"Her friend, now stop being nosey" Margret scolded him.

"It's ok Margret. Asher's a friend I met at the park. He's taking me to the gala tonight." she explained.

"Oh, a fancy pants is he ?" Todd chided her.

"No definitely not. He is very down to earth. I think you would like him, Todd,” Margret added.

"We'll invite him over for the barbeque next weekend, and he can help me burn some burgers,” Todd chuckled.

The rest of the day went by fast as Margret helped her to get ready for the event tonight. Sophia was getting more and more nervous as the time neared for when Asher was going to pick her up and now, as Margret added a little splash of perfume to her, Todd whistled.

"Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous," he told her as his hands touched her shoulder, and his lips kissed her cheek.

"This Asher fella had better treat you right," he said, as a big brother would, and it made her smile.

"He will ... So what times my curfew Dad?" she asked with a giggle.

"By midnight, we don't want your date turning into a pumpkin now do we,” he chided.

"That's if Asher doesn't take you away someplace cozy and romantic." Margret cut in as she fixed a loose strand of Sophia's hair.

"Well, if he does, I'll call to let you know,” she said.

The butterflies grew in her stomach, fluttering out of control. This was more exciting than senior prom, she thought to herself.

* * *~~~* * *

Asher had showered, shaved and even let Crystal style his hair with a little gel, now as he fished his truck keys out of his work jacket both his sister and Mike looked at him strangely.

"What?" he asked.

"You're not picking her up in that old truck," Crystal asked, her tone denoting that the truck would be a bad idea.

"What am I supposed to use? It's all I got," he said, now self-conscious about his old beat-up pickup truck.

"Maybe I can help." Mike threw in.

"You don't even own a car,” Asher snorted with a light chuckle.

"No, but my uncle owns a car rental place, and I'm pretty sure I can get you a real deal on a sweet set of wheels."

Asher didn't even hesitate, tonight had to be perfect for Sophia and the old truck was one of the things he had just not thought of.

"Alright, I owe you big time Mike,” he said as the two of them headed out the door.

"Yes you do and next weekend there's a movie playing at the theater that your sister wants to see, so you can babysit right,"Mike said with a snicker as they got into the truck.

"Yeah of course," he laughed.

Once they left, Asher became anxious. He had never been to a fancy dance before, never mingled with the upper crust, and never figured it would be something he would do. Sophia seemed so down to earth and modest to ever want to be part of that high-class society. This gala, however, seemed to have her all excited, and he wanted to make it the best night he could. When he told her the truth about himself, he knew it might not go over so well.

Pulling into the driveway of the address she had given him for Margret's house, he noticed the home was upscale and that whoever lived here was not suffering financially. By the looks of the two expensive cars and the two-story Victorian-style home which appeared to be kept in immaculate condition, Margret and her husband had it good. Getting out of the Benz he got a loan of, Asher was more than just a little nervous as he walked up the flagstone path to the front door.

Senior prom was something he had never been to. Hell Asher hadn't even graduated high school. A wonderful nervousness flooded him, he figured this is how he would react if he had gone to prom. Pressing the doorbell, he waited, shuffling from one foot to the other. The low thud of heavy footsteps drew near to the door and Asher paused his fidgeting.

"Oh well hello. You must be Asher. Come on in, I'm Margret's husband Todd,” A short, slightly balding man in his mid-forties said as he smiled up at him through his bifocal glasses.

"Nice to meet you,” he said as he stepped inside and noticed Sophia standing a few steps to his right.

"Wow." is all he managed to get out.

Asher had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. Sophia wore her hair loosely piled on top of her head, the large curls cascaded somewhat down her slender neck. Her eyes were done with just enough makeup to tell she was wearing it and her form-fitted dress showed off her every curve. The emerald green sequenced gown was strapless. The top part fit her snugly like a corset and the bottom fluted out around her, the side was split to almost her hip and it showed off one of her sexy long legs in its black high heel shoe.

Sophia smiled brightly and her eyes nearly twinkled like green gems in the light and Margret stood just off to one side, smiling from ear to ear.

"Asher come on in."

"Well I would like to, but I think we are running a little behind," he said, knowing the side trip to get the car made him late getting here.

"Well how about you and Sophia come by next weekend for a barbeque?" Todd asked.

"Sure that sounds great if Sophia wants to that is?" he said a little surprised by the invite.

"That sounds like it would be fun." Sophia agreed, sounding happy with the idea.

"Good, then we'll see you Saturday," Margret said.

Asher took Sophia by the arm and guided her to the car. As he helped her in she looked confused.

"Where's your truck?"

"Oh, I rented a car for tonight. I didn't think a rusted beat-up pickup truck would match our outfits." he joked, now extremely glad Mike could get him the rental for next to nothing.

As he pulled out of the driveway, the sensation of butterflies in his stomach grew. He so desperately didn't want to make an ass out of himself tonight.

"So do you know a lot of the folks going to this shindig?" he asked.

"Um maybe a few, it's hard to say who will all be here,” she said, and he caught a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Are you sure you want to go?" he asked as they turned onto the freeway on-ramp.

"Oh yes it's just some of those people I haven't seen here in years,” she smiled.

"Well I promise not to step on your feet too much or to embarrass you,” he said and she giggled, making him feel eighteen all over again.

Then her words sank in as he pulled into the long driveway to the most exclusive looking resort he had ever seen. She had been here before and not just once. Sophia was more used to this than he was, and now he had an inkling there was a great deal more about her that he didn't know, as a valet opened her door and helped her out.

"Evening Miss Williams, a pleasure to see you again,” the man said with a large smile, and he passed Asher a ticket for the car. "Enjoy your evening."

"We will Alec, thank you," Sophia said.

* * *~~~* * *

Sophia was a little more than nervous as they made their way inside. Several old friends stopped to talk with her briefly, and she introduced Asher to them. She could hear the tone in his voice was off, and somehow she just knew he didn't like it here already, and she was crestfallen.

"Would you like champagne?" A young woman asked.

"I'll take a red wine please,” Sophia said.

"Yeah me too,” Asher mumbled.

"Um, how expensive are the drinks here?" he asked her in a low whisper.

"They're on the house, as is the meal."

"Oh OK,” he actually sounded a little more relaxed suddenly, and she smiled. Within a few moments, the girl returned with their drinks.

Moving through the crowd, Asher guided her to their table and she sat down. Her nerves were getting to her already and she didn't want to be here suddenly as Bentley's spoke up from behind her and Asher.

"Well, I see you managed to get in,” his voice was set dryly.

"Oh hey, Doc. I see we are at the same table,” Asher said, his voice was edgy again.

"Yes, it seems we are. Well, if you will excuse me, I need to go make a speech,” he said and his lips brushed her cheek briefly.

"You look breathtaking tonight my dear,” he said and the tension grew in the air.

The evening passed in a near blur of chatter as old family friends stopped and talked and she and Asher danced to a few songs. Then, as the evening was winding down, she was enjoying Asher's light banter about how his niece had beaten him at a video game earlier that day. Just by the way he talked about her; she knew one day Asher would make a great father.

"Hey um I'll be back. I need to go find the jo ... the men's room,”

"Ok I'll be here." she giggled. The wine she had drunk was starting to get to her and so was the warmth of the room.

As she sat there, memories of past events flowed through her thoughts. Her sweet sixteen birthday bash, hers as well as Maxine's engagement parties, and her parent's thirty-year wedding anniversary were just a few of the events that her family had celebrated at the club. Sophia was never much of a rich person's rich person. She liked simple things and tried to stay away from the family's prominence. Tonight reminded her of both how much she had loved and hated this place.

A light touch on her arm made her freeze.

"Sophia, shall we dance?" Bentley asked.

"Oh, I don't know Bentley. I think I should sit this one out,” she politely declined the offer.

"Come one Sophia just one dance, it would look terribly odd if we didn't. After all you're the largest donor to this fundraiser,” he stated, and she knew she should, but she didn't want Asher to get the wrong impression.

"Well just one,” she said knowing the song was half over so it wouldn't be too bad.

Standing up, he helped guide her to the floor and as he pulled her to him, the scent of him assailed her nose. Bentley reeked of spicy expensive cologne and champagne and as they danced he held her close to him. Too close for her comfort level.

"Sophia, you look so lovely tonight,” he said against her ear.

"Thank you, Bentley, that is sweet of you to say,” she whispered low, embarrassed by his statement and how close he was holding her.

"You know you are the single most beautiful woman here,” he said.

"I already donated Bentley, "she said with a light laugh.

His hands were snug and heated. The sensation of his face near hers was followed by the brush of his lips on hers. It made her stiffen in his grasp. As they danced their bodies brushed against one another, a telltale rise began to develop in the front of his slacks. Sophia's eyes went wide as his hips pushed into hers. The intention of his obvious gesture left Sophia a little mortified.

"Sophia, I've been meaning to ask you something, I know it's probably not the place or the time, but I never seem to be able to get you alone anymore,” he started to say.

"Bentley please, I think I need to sit down,” she stated, suddenly wary of him.

"Is the wine getting to you? Or does your date think he owns you?" he asked, not releasing her from his arms and his tone turning darker.

"The heat is, I'm not used to this. Please, I need to sit,” she tried to move, but he held her even tighter. Sophia began to panic as she knew she wouldn't make a scene.

"Sophia, I think you should think about us. This situation with your little crush is only going to get you hurt emotionally, and I don't want to see that happen to you,” he began to tell her, completely ignoring her plea to sit down.

"Bentl—" his mouth pressed against hers, taking her by surprise. She froze at his attempt to elicit a kiss from her. It left her stunned for a moment. With a firm shove, Sophia pushed him away, shocked at him doing such a thing in front of everyone.

* * *~~~* * *

Asher stood in the fresh air; this was not somewhere he ever wanted to go back to. The people Sophia knew were snobs. They cast hard glances at him when they had come in and now, as he had came outside, several of them murmured low to themselves after he passed them. Their words were about him, and he hated being judged. He knew he didn't fit in here, a decent suit and fancy car didn't mask the fact that he was poor. This was part of her world. Sophia, even though as down to earth as they came, belonged here. He didn't know if that would affect them as a couple.

Stepping back inside, he found the table empty and as he cast his gaze over the room, he spotted her dancing with Bentley on the ballroom floor. Even though his insides twisted at seeing her in the other man's arms, he knew this was no lifestyle he would ever be able to give her. The doctor had been right about that, she was so much higher up the ladder than him; he would need an oxygen mask.

For a brief moment, he wondered why he had come, why he had tried to win over someone who was clearly from a different world altogether. Then Bentley kissed Sophia, long and passionately on the lips. His temper flared as Sophia pushed Bentley away and a mask of utter rage came across the Doctor's face. Asher assumed the doctor hadn't expected her to deny him.

Making his way out on the dance floor, several couples moved out of his way as his body language and facial expression he knew mirrored the emotions in him, but before he made them on the dance floor, the Doctor was already walking her back towards the table.

"Sophia ... are you alright?" he asked between clenched teeth as he glared at Bentley. The other man's face was arrogant and there was a glint to his eyes that didn't sit well with Asher.

"I just need some air, please Asher,” she said as she reached out towards him.

"Well thank you for the dance Sophia, Asher it was a pleasure to see you again,” Bentley said and as Asher took her towards a set of French doors, he sensed the doctor watching them leave. Turning his head back toward him, he caught a smug grin on the man's face and it made him uneasy.