The love dilemma

Chapter six

In the blink of an eye, the grand symphony of wedding preparations had begun. Their eagerly awaited day was poised to dawn in just seven short days. With the cream of Spain's event planners and the most melodious band in tow, the stage was set for a wedding like no other.

The smiths were super excited to meet Sofia, the radiant bride-to-be, who had effortlessly won their hearts, and their joy knew no bounds.

Yet, amidst the whirlwind of festivities, Henry, the groom, remained a phantom figure until the eve of the wedding, choosing to reside in a hotel, separate from the bustling family home. His brother who was the best man was the only one who knew the location of his hotel. He texted Henry the location of the church since Henry decided he would come alone.

On the day of the wedding, Sofia radiated sheer beauty in her mother's cherished wedding dress. The gown, meticulously hand-beaded, hugged her figure perfectly, carrying with it the weight of family history and tradition. As her father guided her down the aisle, tears welled up in his eyes, emotions overflowing in this unforgettable moment for both families.

Henry, standing at the altar in his impeccably tailored suit, exchanged her vows and rings with Sofia. It was the first time Sofia saw her husband, and Sofia couldn't wait to embark on this new chapter of her life.

As evening descended upon the wedding, the newlyweds graciously mingled with their guests. Ruby, Sofia's dear friend, couldn't help but gush, "Sofia, your husband is an absolute gem. You're so fortunate!" Thank you," Sofia replied with a smile before setting off to find her husband.

"Hi, I've been searching everywhere for you," Sofia greeted Henry when she finally located him.

"What happened? I'm not a child to get lost. I know my way around," he responded rudely. Despite his tone, Sofia remained composed and said, "I thought it would be nice for us to take some pictures."

Henry retorted, "Haven't we already taken enough photos tonight? I'm exhausted and ready for sleep. It's been a long day." With that, he walked away, leaving Sofia taken aback by his abrupt dismissal.

Sofia, what's wrong?" Gloria inquired, noting Sofia's troubled expression.

Sofia sighed, "I'm just feeling stressed, Gloria."

As they prepared for dinner, Gloria asked, "Speaking of which, where's Henry?" "I don't know," Sofia replied, "He just left."

At the dinner table, an empty seat remained where Henry should have been, leaving everyone to wonder about his whereabouts. Calls and texts went unanswered.

After an hour, Henry finally arrived. "Where have you been, son?" Mr. Mario questioned. "I was taking care of some business," Henry responded.

"Well, the office needs to give you a break so you can enjoy yourself," Mr. Smith added with a wink, which elicited laughter from the family.

Henry changed the subject, saying, "Anyway, Sofia and I will be leaving in the morning for our honeymoon. Reservations and flights are all booked.

Where are you guys going to? Gloria inquired

Somewhere nice Henry replied.

At 6 a.m., the housemaid softly knocked on Sofia's bedroom door, signaling the start of a long day. Sofia knew her husband and the chauffeur awaited her impatiently downstairs, and there was no time for heartfelt goodbyes or checking on her father's health. She hurriedly began packing her belongings, her exhaustion from a late night's work still lingering.

The thought of the impending nine-hour journey weighed heavily on Sofia's mind. She couldn't help but wish she were sharing this time with her beloved in Greece, a place she found serene compared to the bustling, noisy streets of Florida.

The ride to the airport was an uncomfortably silent one. Sofia tried to engage Henry in conversation, asking about his night, work, and plans, but he responded with curt, one-word answers, as if oblivious to her presence in the car.

Upon reaching the airport terminal, someone inquired if they were traveling together, and Sofia, despite Henry's disapproving expression, confirmed they were. On the plane, Henry remained engrossed in his work, behaving as though Sofia were invisible, leaving her to ponder the nature of their relationship.

When they arrived at the Florida airport, Henry hurriedly made his way to the car without offering to assist Sofia with her luggage. Once inside the car, Henry informed Sofia, 'The driver will take you to the house; I have work to attend to at the office.' Sofia, disappointed, responded, 'Isn't this supposed to be our honeymoon?' 'Yes, it is,' Henry replied casually. 'I'll take care of my work, and you're free to do as you please. The driver can show you around the city for sightseeing, or you can relax in the comfort of the house.' Sofia muttered to herself, 'He's so rude.' Henry handed her his credit card, saying, 'Just try not to drain my account.' 'Seriously?' Sofia replied incredulously, to which he finally glanced up from his phone.

As they drove away, Sofia couldn't help but think, 'What have I gotten myself into? This is going to be one hell of a marriage.

As the driver pulled up to the grand entrance, Sofia's heart raced with anticipation. The mansion before her was nothing short of breathtaking. The chauffeur extended his hand, presenting her with the key.

With a gracious smile, Sofia accepted the key, and the driver bid her farewell. The moment she stepped into Henry's house, her jaw dropped in awe.

Before she could take it all in, a warm voice broke the silence. "Welcome, madam. I'm Grace, the housekeeper," a kindly woman named Grace greeted her with a gentle curtsy.

Sofia couldn't help but return the warm smile. "Thank you, Grace. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Grace had been informed of Sofia's arrival and had meticulously prepared a cozy guest room, leading Sofia there with a friendly gesture. "Your room is right this way, madam. Please, make yourself comfortable."

With gratitude in her heart, Sofia settled into her temporary home, wondering what would happen next.

Grace went to inform Sofia that dinner was ready. In Spain, Sofia was accustomed to enjoying her evening meals with her family, but tonight's table was set just for her. It featured a delicious spread of spaghetti and meatballs, with a tempting homemade apple pie waiting for dessert. As they settled into their meal, Sofia couldn't help but wonder about Henry's return. "Grace, do you have any idea when Henry will be back?" she inquired.

Grace, her face etched with uncertainty, replied, "No, ma'am. I'm not quite sure. Why don't you call him?"

Sofia paused, a realization washing over her. "I don't have Henry's contact," she muttered, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "For a newly wedded couple, that does seem a bit weird. After dinner, Sofia felt an overwhelming urge to call her dad. She picked up her phone and dialed his number. The familiar voice on the other end brought a mix of comfort and concern. "Hello Papa, how are you doing?" Sofia asked, her voice filled with warmth.

"I'm fine, Sofia. How is your day going?" her dad replied.

"It's fine dad, How is your health?" Sofia inquired with a hint of worry.

"I'm okay, mi amor," her dad reassured her. "You worry too much. Lucia takes good care of me, and I'm keeping up with my medications and diet."

Sofia sighed, her eyes welling up with tears. "You know I can't help it, Papa. You mean the world to me."

Her dad's voice softened. "I appreciate your concern, Sofia, but it's time for you to focus on the new chapter of your life. You should be worried about your new family, not me. I'm okay. Gloria and Lucia will take care of me. Go on, focus on your life, and be happy."

Tears rolled down Sofia's cheeks as she heard her father's words. She knew he was right, but the bond between them was unbreakable. She wiped her tears away and nodded, even though her dad couldn't see it.

"I love you, Papa," Sofia whispered.

"I love you too, Sofia," her dad replied. "Now go on and live your life to the fullest. Make us proud."

With a heavy heart, Sofia hung up the phone, knowing that her father's love and support would always be with her.

After the phone call ended, Sofia paced through the house, her thoughts swirling. The quiet evening begged for a touch of vitality, and inspiration struck. She swiftly scoured the internet, selecting new furniture that would breathe life into their home. Alongside that, she ordered vibrant paintings and fragrant flowers, envisioning the transformation of their living space.

As the clock ticked past 11 p.m., Sofia's anticipation grew. Though the night had deepened, Henry had not returned. Unwavering in her resolve, Sofia settled into a cozy corner, determined to wait for her husband's return, eager to share the surprise she had in store.

Grace greeted Sofia with a cheerful 'Good morning, ma'am' as she gently woke her up. Sofia, still groggy from her nap, inquired about the time. 'What time is it?' she asked. Grace checked her watch and replied, 'It's already past 8 in the morning.' Sofia, who had dozed off on the couch while waiting for Henry, was concerned. 'Did Henry come back last night?' she asked. Grace shook her head and said, 'I don't know. I left after dinner.' Sofia, worried about Henry's well-being, headed to her room, hoping everything was alright. She wondered if this was a norm for Henry or if he just doing it to piss her off.