MY SECRET LOVER

CHAPTER FIVE

MEETING LUCIEN

SOPHIA'S POV

When we got home, I saw Dad's car parked outside. The guards that were normally at home were twice the number I usually saw.

I don't like to say this a lot, but my dad's in the mafia. I think he is a mafia lord or something. He doesn't like talking about work unless it is absolutely something funny he'd want us to laugh about.

I am glad he doesn't give me many details because I have a pretty good idea of what his work entails, and I don't like to think about the fact that my father may be doing worse than I had imagined.

I turned to Valentino, who had gone full guard mode immediately we got to the estate,

“Valentino, does Dad have a visitor?”

“Miss Sophia, you'd have to go inside the house to see for yourself,” he said in his typical rude manner.

What was I even expecting? I scoffed at his head and looked out the window.

I’d be patient; I would soon know what was going on.

Dad never came home by this time. He specifically told me he would be back late today.

When I got inside, Mistress Wood came and took my bag from me. She led me straight to my room.

“Come freshen up, child,” she said, herding me towards my room.

“Mistress Wood, what's going on?” I asked gently, knowing I had a much higher chance of understanding what was going on from her before actually asking my father.

She sighed after we got inside my room, dropped my bag on the table and brought out a pretty, simple floral gown.

“Your father came home suddenly. He was quite frantic when he came home. I had to hurriedly prepare his suitcase, then suddenly a strange man arrived, but I didn’t get to see his face.”

I take off my clothes as I listen to her gently narrate all that she knows.

“Is Dad travelling?” I asked after tying the towel around my body.

“I think so, darling, now stop with the questions and go freshen up. He would love to see you in his study once you are done. You must wear that floral dress I brought out for you,” Mistress Wood commanded.

Sometimes I seem to forget just how formidable she can be.

“Yes, Mistress,” I replied with a light chuckle.

After bathing, I changed into the floral dress.

It was quite beautiful and simple; it also made me look like I couldn't kill a fly even if I tried.

I guess the dress aspect is because of the visitor.

I looked in the mirror, thinking of what to do with my hair before deciding to leave it flowing behind me. Besides, I don't like binding my hair.

I got to my dad's study and knocked lightly on the door. This was a knock we had come up with so he could know I was the one behind the door.

I didn't want to walk into any business of his I had no business knowing about, so I had no problem continuing with the knock myself.

After a while, I heard his voice from the inside.

“Come inside, Sophia,”

I gently opened the door and walked into his office.

True enough, Mistress Wood was right. He had a visitor seated before him. From the door, I could only see his back.

He had a pretty shocking amount of silver hair, or is it blonde? I couldn't tell under the dim light in Dad's office. His presence filled the room, calm but commanding.

“Dad, what's happening? First, Valentino gave me a stipulated time to be back, and now I am here with you and a visitor.”

“I know it is strange, darling, I'll explain all in due time. Stop hovering by the door and come sit over here,” he said, gesturing to the couch, to the spot adjacent to the visitor.

I walked in confidently and smartly sat down where he had asked me to.

The stranger's cologne was intoxicating. I have never smelled anything so nice before. Apparently, Dad isn't a huge fan of perfumes or the likes; he just uses a decent roll-on.

I turned to look at the visitor who was typing away on his phone, and my breath seized.

It can't be.

Oh my God!

It was him!

My eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

My palm began to sweat, and the room suddenly felt too hot for me.

“Sophia darling,” Dad called, bringing me back to where we were.

“Yes, Dad?” I answered, my voice sounding hoarse.

I cleared my throat and wrangled all my shock and feelings deep within me. I can't let Dad see me reacting like this to his visitor.

I looked up and thankfully, he didn't notice my reaction.

“Something happened at work, darling, and I have to travel out of the country for a year,” Dad said gently, looking at me sadly.

“I hate to leave you alone just by yourself in this house,” he added quietly.

“Dad, I have Mistress Wood and Valentino here with me. They can take care of me until you are back. You don't need to worry so much about me,” I said, trying to cheer him up so he wouldn't feel so bad about leaving for work.

“I have to worry, darling, you are my only daughter. The only valuable person I have left in this world.”

The visitor scoffed, making me jump on the inside. My heart beat increased from just hearing his voice.

“What's funny, Lucien?” Dad asked suddenly.

“Nothing, Romano,” he replied.

I had to clench my palms together to prevent myself from visibly reacting.

“Sophia, I can't leave you by yourself with just my staff in this house. I need to be assured that you are actually and really protected,” he said, looking at me steadily.

“That is why I have invited my dearest friend here, I am sure you know him, he used to come around a lot when you were younger.”

“Yeah, I do, Dad. He stopped coming for years now, though,” I replied, trying to sound as cool as I could.

“Yeah, the bastard actually started a company and suddenly stopped having time for his best friend. Anyways, he is Lucien Thorne, the bane of my existence.”

Mr Thorne burst into a loud laugh after hearing what my father said.

Dad can be quite jovial whenever he wants to, but this is the first time I've seen him look so relaxed and in good spirits.

“You'll be staying with him until I come back,” Dad said, and I felt my heart squeeze tightly inside my chest.

“Dad, wouldn't that be an inconvenience to him? I could stay here with your guards and Mistress Wood, you know,” I said, sounding cool but pleading within myself to any god that would care to listen to help me avert this danger.

“I have discussed it with him before you came back, and he agreed to it. I don't think it would be too much of a bother to him, right, Lucien?” Dad asked Mr Thorne

“Of course not, Romano, you know I can do anything for you, man. Just come back safe to your daughter,” he added gravely.

“When have I ever not been safe, Lucien?” Dad asked in a fit of laughter.

I felt my heart give another squeeze again.

This can't be happening.

“Sophia, go and let Mistress Wood know, she will help you pack. Tomorrow morning, I will take you to Lucien's place myself. The busy man has to go back to business.”

“Okay, Dad,” I said and walked off steadily out of his office.

I stood outside the door just after closing, hearing them laugh out so loud.

Dad must be pretty happy to have spent some time with his best friend.

My shoulders slumped, and I walked dejectedly to my room.

I saw Mistress Wood waiting for me just inside my room.

“Dad said I have to go stay somewhere else for the period that he will be away,” I said quietly, my voice sounding quite hollow in my ears.

“Of course, I will help you pack right away, you don't have to look so down, Miss.” She came and patted my head while giving me a warm smile.

This was twice in a row, Mistress Wood had smiled at me today. I should feel good about it, but I couldn't muster the strength to actually feel good.

After packing my bag, she left my room.

My thoughts were all over the place.

I would be living with the man I have been having naughty dreams about.