CHASING MY SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Untitled Episode

ADRIAN

Business galas for me have always been predictable. Smiles, handshakes, people pretending to enjoy each other's company because money demanded it. I had excused myself to arrive late earlier, but I had barely stepped into the ballroom when Ethan, my assistant, pulled me into a conversation with one of our investors, leaving me standing alone with a glass of whiskey in my hand.

I didn't mind. In fact, I preferred it. The less I had to talk, the better. “Mr Blackwood?” I turned at the sound of a woman's voice.

A brunette stood beside me, her lips curved into a smile that was a little too confident for someone I had never met. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” I barely managed the courtesy before she stepped closer.

“I have heard so much about you.” She laughed, lightly touching my arm. I glanced down at her hand before looking back at her face.

She didn't seem to understand the hint. “I was actually hoping we could…”

“Adruan.” Sophia's vouce cut through the conversation and thebwoman immediately turned. Sophia approached us with a smile, I could hear the sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor despite the orchestra. She slipped her arm through mine without asking and leaned against me as though she'd been there the entire time.

“There you are.” She said before her gaze moved towards the woman. “And she is?”

The woman's smile faltered. “I'm…”

“Uh-hun. I'm sure Adrian will introduce you if he wants to.” The woman's smile faltered as Sophia looked up at me with an innocent look I've seen a lot of times. “Is she trying to sack up to you, babe?”

The woman gave a nervous laugh before excusing herself. I watched her disappear into the crowd before turning to Sophia. “That wasn't necessary.”

She ignored me, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve as though nothing had happened. I let out a quiet sigh before lifting my glass to my lips, taking a swift gulp.

Lately, Sophia had become increasingly possessive.

She didn't like women standing too close to me. She didn't like business associates taking too much of my time. She had somehow developed an opinion about nearly everyone I spoke to, not hesitating to show it to them through her actions.

It was irritating. Clara always stood perfectly still and never spoke unless she was spoken to.

“f**k…” I mumbled. Why was I still thinking about her at a time like this. She had been gone for three years and there hasn't been a trace of her even in the Hayes family. No one had been able to track her and I acted like I didn't care.

“drian… Adrian!” Sophia's vouce cut through my thoughts and I could see her standing there with a frown on her face. “You aren't listening to me again. You always do that.”

“Please, Sophia. Don't start.” I groaned, placing my empty glass on the waiter's tray.

Before she could respond, the orchestra quieted. The murmur of conversations slowly died down as the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?”

The lights shifted toward the entrance and ny gaze followed out of habit. It was this dramatic part they incorporate into the ceremonies.

“Tonight, we are honoured to welcome one of this year's distinguished guests and one of the fastest-rising names in luxury design…”

The ballroom doors opened.

“Please welcome the CEO and founder of CH Interiors, Ms. Clara Hayes.”

My body stiffened and for a second, I couldn't breathe. I didn't know why my body was acting that way. I had thought Sophia was all I need, Clara was just a hurdle I had to go through before getting to be with Sophia but a day had never passed by without me referring back to Clara in my mind.

I wondered where she was even though I never made the effort to care. It was just a routine for my grandmother to constantly ask me for her whereabouts. Now there she was after four years, walking in an emerald gown that hugged her figure, its fabric catching the warm lights with every step.

Her chestnut hair fell loosely in waves over her shoulders, and the woman who had once stood quietly beside me at business functions now walked into a room filled with billionaires, politicians and industry leaders as though she owned it.

My eyes couldn't help but remain glued to her. It had been four years. Four good years and she looked even prettier than I remembered her to be.

“That's Clara?” Sophia's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “When did she become the owner of CH Interiors?”

I glanced at Ethan as if expecting his response to her question. “You never asked about it, sir.” Ethan responded slight. “She launched officially about three years ago.”

Three years ago. That was not long after our divorce and I remembered Sophia being all about redecorating the entire house with their creations.

“You're staring too much at her, Adrian. She's your ex wife, so what?” A looked down at Sophia was was looking at me with anger, or maybe it was jealousy.

She wasn't the same person whom I had hoped I would get married to. I couldn't even recognize character at times. I thought she was all gentle and innocent but I couldn't end this now. I have been invested in her this far so why back down just from her character?

“I'll go say hi to my sister.” Sophia said, the frown still lingering on her face before she let go of my hands. I was about to go after her when I got dragged again by another investor.

—

The conversation took longer than I expected and by the time we were done, I had lost track of the amount of times my eyes had wandered across the room, trying to look for Clara and Sophia. They were both gone.

I loosened my tie slight before grabbing another cup of whiskey. “I need air…” I needed my own space to think for a second.

I stepped out through the sideway entrance and walked towards the quieter corridor leading to the terrace. I could finally breathe as the ballroom music faded behind me.

A familiar voice made me pause in my tracks. “You have some nerves flaunting the Hayes name, Clara.”

Sophia.

“If you called me out here to show your bitterness, I'm too busy for that.” Clara responded, her voice calm.

I moved closer without thinking, their voices coming from around the corner.

“Watch your steps, Clara? Don't think you can steal Adrian from me again.” Sophia spat out and from the years I had spent with her, I knew it was pure bitterness, but I had never seen this raw version of her.

“Being a victim doesn't suit you, Sophia. I never stole Adrian from you. Just your daddy covers up for you doesn't hide the fact that you ran away.”

What? Sophia ran away? A frown settled on my lips. That wasn't what I had been told.

“You ran away with your boyfriend hours before the wedding and I was forced to take your place so the family image won't be ruined.” I heard Clara scoff. “I bet you still lie about it to Adrian every single day to keep up that facade.”

“Shut up.” Sophia hissed angrily. “At least I had the courage to go after the man I wanted.”

I felt like I was hit in the guts by her confession. So everything I knew about was a complete lie?