VELMONT’S VEIL

CHAPTER FIVE - A F*CKING MOVIE

“That’s wonderful! Congratulations Sophia!” I genuinely congratulated her, getting up to embrace her in a warm hug. For the first time in six years, Sophia hugged me. She allowed herself to melt in my arms and I allowed the tears to roll freely from my eyes.

We both cried in each other’s arms, allowing the tears of pent-up emotions to wash over me.

“Does he know about the baby?” I inquired, still not pulling away from the hug. She shook her head, not saying anything and we both just stayed in silence, enjoying the calming presence of the other.

“I haven’t told him yet. I plan to do it over dinner though. Tonight’s the anniversary of our first date and Nate has this fancy dinner planned at a restaurant. I’ll tell him then.”

“Soph I…”

She pulled away from the embrace and wiped her eyes. “This doesn’t change anything between us though. I’m only telling you out of obligation. You don’t have to get involved.”

“Sophia…” I drawled out her name as I knelt in front of her. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

Even a blind person could see they were smitten with each other. The portraits on the wall showed them in different countries. Nathaniel looked so in love with her and it begs the question of why he’d cheat on her.

“Nathaniel loves me, he makes me feel safe and now I’m going to have his baby. I’m at peace now Celeste,” Sophia mused as she wrapped a protective arm around her stomach while looking over the horizon. The sun was setting and it cast its orange hue over the room, creating a warm ambiance.

“I am sorry I left you, Soph,” I croaked out the apology. I knew it was enough but I needed to say it, I needed her to know that if I could do things differently, I would.

“What is it you wanted to tell me?” Sophia asked, deviating from what I had said.

I breathed out heavily, not sure if it was the wisest thing to tell her that Nathaniel cheated on her with me and now I was carrying his child.

That was messed up!

If I wanted her to be happy, then I shouldn’t destroy her home. It was best I left.

“I’m going back to Elorra tonight,” I said instead. I saw a series of emotions flicker through her eyes but the one that dominated all others was that of indifference.

“Okay bye!” She shrugged, standing up and walking towards the door. I followed her silently, not knowing what else to say.

“I have to Sophia, I can’t…”

“Yeah, you can’t. You’re running away again and you know it. It was nice of you to come to my wedding and it’s nice of you to abandon me again when I just told you I was pregnant. How foolish I was to think my pregnancy would be enough to make you stay with me, your sister! What did I ever do to you?” Sophia barked, losing it. She was irate and I was the cause.

I saw the pain in her eyes and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I wanted to tell her, to let her know why I was leaving but how do I do that without inflicting more pain?

“Geez Soph, can’t take a joke?” I chuckled nervously, not sure if she was going to buy it.

“You’re not going?”

“Of course not silly! I only just got you back. I want to mend the relationship we have. I left you to deal with Bruce alone and I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. Just give me a chance, please?” My throat was constricted with so many emotions.

I was actively lying to her, I was being selfish and I knew that.

“So tell me, how’s life with Nathaniel?”

Her eyes beamed at the mention of her husband and she happily told me all the nice things he had done.

“Would you help me get ready? Nate would soon be home to pick me up,” Sophia asked and I was more than happy to.

“You have hair just like mom,” I complimented, helping her pack her hair in a ponytail.

Sophia said nothing.

A few moments later, Nathaniel was home.

“Darling?” He called out to her and she walked down the stairs in her beautiful shimmering gown.

“You’re so beautiful,” he complimented, kissing her. She smiled sweetly and melted into his arms. They were in love. God, the guilt gripped me harder.

“I’ll be on my way,” I whispered, hugging Sophia. Nathaniel smiled when he saw me and said nothing, not even feeling threatened by my presence.

I walked out of the house and towards the car, driving straight to Sally’s. Tears blurred my vision.

“Hi Celeste, here to pick up the laundry?” Sally asked me when she saw me and I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying something sarcastic, instead, I simply nodded. She handed me a duffel bag and I signed for it.

My phone rang for the umpteenth time that day and I ignored it, knowing that it was Bruce calling again.

By the time I got out, a huge sense of foreboding crept through my veins and I shrugged it off. I walked to Beth’s car and threw the bag in there. Just then, three huge trucks rounded me up.

Two men jumped out and came for me. I screamed, my adrenaline pumping. I saw Sally come out and before she could scream, one of them shot her.

“No!” I yelled, trying to run away but they grabbed me and the next thing I knew, I was unconscious.

When I woke up, I was in an all-white room with dim lighting. My hands and legs were tied with chains but my mouth wasn't ducted so I screamed, not sure if that was a good idea.

“Help me!” I screamed till my throat itched and when I thought no one could hear me, a man walked in.

His eyes were as black as the night sky and his hair was wavy brown. He had a scar that ran across his jawline down to his neck and his presence was intimidating.

“Who are you and what do you want? Why did you f*****g kidnap me?” I tugged at the chain but I bruised so hard I began to bleed. Sweat dampened my features and I was pretty sure I oozed fear.

“I am Alessandro Romano. Your father, Bruce Gallagher, sold you to me for something he owes me. You’re my property now and you will do exactly as I say.”

I gulped, not sensing a lie in anything he just said.

When did my life become a f*****g movie?