Billionaire's bargain

Chapter3

***chapter 3

The next morning, Sophie was up as early as seven to take a stroll around town.

Fellham Cove was more of a village than an actual town, with each street somehow connected at an intersection. Three hours was enough to complete a tour around the entire town.

Sophie knew every family and almost everyone that lived in Felsham. She was friendly with most and at least said hi to everyone she met on the way.

She walked across the market and along a small pathway that led to the town square.

Hard as it was, she tried not to think about last night and all her father had to say. Friday was two days away, which meant she barely had enough time to change her father's mind. She had seen Madison before she left the house and her sister seemed to have accepted her unfortunate fate.

Sophie wondered what life would be like without Madison. She was used to having her vivacious sister around her and wasn't sure she was ready for the overwhelming quietness that would come with her absence.

She walked across the street to the town's bakery, where Simon, the town’s baker, already had freshly baked pretzels on display. Beaming with anticipation, she hurried over to get some for herself. They were one of her favorite pastries.

As she got closer, she could hear a frustrated Simon trying to explain something to a man who seemed adamant.

“ It doesn't matter how much you're willing to pay for all of it, I can't sell all of my pretzels to just you sir.” Simon said as Sophie stood close.

“And why is that?” The man, whose face Sophie couldn't see, asked in a deep rich baritone voice .

“A lot of people in town already look forward to having a taste of my warm pretzels in the morning. They'd be disappointed if it was sold out before 8 o'clock in the morning.” He explained to the man, who still seemed confused.

“So you're saving this for customers you're not even sure of having today, instead of selling everything to an actual customer?” The man was beginning to sound angry now, and Sophie felt goosebumps on her back.

She had no idea who he was, but the command in his tone scared her for some reason.

Simon's logic may seem strange or stupid, but Sophie had lived in Felsham long enough to know that the people cared more about sharing things with each other, than they did about making a heavy profit in business. It was one of the things she loved about the town.

Suddenly feeling the need to help Simon out, she cleared her throat to get their attention.

The man turned, and Sophie looked up into his face. For a moment, she fell speechless, her cheeks suddenly flushed.

She wasn't expecting the face she was looking at now. The man looked like he had been pulled right out of a magazine, with his wavy brown hair and cool hazel eyes.

He was staring at her chiseled face, and well-defined jawline that Sophie felt would cut her hand if she were to touch it. His lips were full and small, a dull pink that somehow managed to look inviting. What was she thinking?

“Did you want to say something?” He asked again, his baritone voice a bit calmer now.

She closed her eyes for a second and cleared her throat again. “I don't…I don't think it's right for you to insist if he doesn't want to sell all of his pretzels to you. Besides, he already explained why, so please respect it.”

She felt a hit surging through her face, and hoped her face wasn't visibly red.

He stared quietly for a while, and Sophie started to feel small before him. He was definitely new to town, because a face like his would have been difficult to forget if she had seen him before.

“Well, I want all of it, and I'm willing to pay for it. What's the big deal?” He asked again and she sighed softly. He's definitely used to getting his way.

“I understand that, but he's not going to change his mind anytime soon, so just buy a few instead.” Why was he being so stubborn?

The man stood for a while, and put his hands in his pockets. He looked upset and Sophie tried to imagine how he'd channel his anger if they weren't in a public place. He looked like the kind to smash things, or so she thought.

Still, even with the frown on his face, he still looked insanely gorgeous. Sophie thought him to be a real work of art. If only he wasn't trying to be a pain in the butt.

“How about this? There's a different bakery about ten minutes' walk away from here. She has pretzels and would definitely be willing to sell everything to you.” She said again, and pursed her lips when he raised an eyebrow.

The man turned to Simon, who had been watching the interaction.

“Alright, I'll get ten pieces from you. Pack them right away,” the man said dismissively.

Simon sighed and did as he said, while Sophie watched.

“Oh, and I'll get three please,” she spoke softly, and Simon smiled at her.

He packed everything quickly, and Sophie started to walk away when he handed her pack of pretzels to her. She was just about to walk across the street when she felt a firm grip on her arm.

She turned and her eyes widened when she saw the handsome man from the bakery towering over her and staring right into her face.

“Are you running off already?” He asked, calmly, but his tone made her shiver.

She frowned. “Run off?”

“You said there's another bakery around. How am I supposed to get to it?” He asked.

“It's right across the road, just down the -”

“Show it to me, little miss.” He said, his tone condescending.

She steeled herself. “It's Sophie, and don't speak to me like that. It's rude,” she replied and stared at her arm. He released his grip slowly and cleared his throat.

“Alright,Sophie. Please show me the other bakery you spoke of,” he said calmly.

She sighed and started to walk in the opposite direction. “Follow me.”

He followed her, so closely behind that Sophie felt monitored. As she walked, each step felt heavier. Something about his presence made her knees weak and her body cold.

“How long are we going to walk for?” He asked after a while.

“Not very long, we're close.” She said , suddenly wishing he would walk beside her instead of staying behind her. Sophie slowed down until he was right by her side, and then she walked at his pace. He had longer legs, so she struggled to keep up.

“You didn't say your name,” she said, after several seconds of silence. A conversation would probably make her feel less tense and awkward.

“Do I have to?” He asked and she rolled her eyes.

“You don't have to, but I told you mine.” She replied, but he didn't say anything else.

They got to the bakery, and he turned to face her. “If the pretzels here don't taste as good as that obnoxious baker's, then I'd hold you responsible.

Sophie said nothing in response. Sally's pastries were just as good as Simon's, but that was just her opinion. She hoped he'd feel the same way.

Old Sally was still as bubbly as ever. “Oh hello there Sophie darling, who's your friend?”

Sophie smiled at Sally before turning to the guy who still hasn't said anything.

“Just someone I met at Simon's. he'd like to have some of your pretzels please,” she said, wondering if he'd say anything.

“All of them, if possible,” He said and Sophie watched Sally's baggy eyes widen as she smiled widely.

“Of course! A shame I only have 50 pieces left, but trust me, you'd be grateful you took them!” Sally spoke in a high-pitched voice, and Sophie would have laughed if he weren't there.

The pretzels were packed in no time, and they walked away from the bakery shortly after. She waited until he took a bite, and then she carefully observed his expressions.

“How's it?” She asked, although she could see the look of satisfaction on his face.

“Not bad.” He said, his expression suddenly blank.

Sophie thought of eating hers, but decided against it. She wanted to share with Madison, and eating in front of this man.

She watched him eat two more pretzels, before turning to leave. Some part of her wanted to linger, but she had no reason to.

“I'm leaving, enjoy the rest of your day…sir.” She stressed the last word, to remind him that he hadn't left a name.

“Adrian,” He said and she stopped.

“What?” Sophie turned.

“The name is Adrian.” He said and walked away afterward. She stood for a moment, watching him as he walked and thought to herself that his back frame was beautiful.

“What are you thinking, Sophie?” She muttered under her breath as she headed back home. The sun was starting to show its face, but her body still felt a chill from standing close to Adrian.

I'd probably never see him again, so snap out of it! She slapped herself to rid get the thoughts.