Billionaire's bargain

Chapter4

chapter 4

Friday came faster than she'd expected.

It was a windy morning, with the sun shining brightly outside, but the air inside the house felt extremely cold.

Madison had been quiet all morning, even at breakfast, and even her father had barely said anything asides a few instruction from the introduction ceremony.

They had two hours until Madison's suitor arrived, and Sophie was helping her sister get ready. Their father had hired private workers to clean the entire house thoroughly.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as she brushed Madison's hair. Sophie stared at her sister through the large dressing mirror, but she couldn't make anything from the blank expression on her face.

“Miserable, but I'll get over it like father said.” She replied curtly, and Sophie's chest tightened.

“Do you want to run away now, while you still can?” Sophie whispered loudly and Madison looked back to see her face.

Clearly, she was joking and her sister knew it. Sophie lacked the guts to even tell a white lie, let alone plan an elopement for her sister.

Madison chuckled, the closest to happy Sophie had seen her in the past few days.

“Trust me, I've considered it several times actually. I guess I'm not as brave as I claim to be.”

Sophie gave her sister a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.

“I really wish I could help, Maddie. You know I'd do anything for you,” she spoke lowly.

Madison pat her hands. “I know and I love you for trying. Just help me get ready, I'll be fine.”

She did as Madison said and helped her into a purple silk dress. She held her hair in a braided crown and used silver pins to keep it together.

By the time she was done, Madison looked like royalty.

“Oh my! You look absolutely breathtaking,” she gasped and hugged her sister.

Madison's eyes were suddenly teary, causing Sophie's to turn moist.

“I'm scared Sophie,” she said again, this time tears tricking down her cheeks.

Sophie hugged her again and allowed her cry. She felt suffocated with helplessness, and wished they could disappear.

When Madison calmed down, she had her makeup redone and fixed her up again.

A knock on the door cut their attention. “Girls? Our guest is here. Don't be rude and keep him waiting.” Their father called out and Sophie felt a thud in her chest.

“Give us a minute please, we'll be out soon,” she replied and waited until she heard him going back down, before turning to her sister.

“Are you ready?” She asked, and Madison nodded slightly.

“Let's get this over with.”

They headed downstairs, Sophia holding her sister's hands firmly as they made their way to the living room.

Their palms were sweaty, but they held on to each other.

Sophie stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked up to see the guest who was sitting right opposite them, legs crossed.

Her body trembled as she stared at him, the room suddenly feeling small. She had released Madison's hands already, and was rubbing her together behind her.

What is he doing here?

“ Come, girls. Meet Adrian Blackwood, CEO of the Blackwood group of companies, and second cousin to the Duke of Kent.” Her father spoke with unexpected enthusiasm, but she barely heard anything.

Adrian stood up to welcome them, and he shook hands with Madison first, who had now moved forward to greet him. His eyes stayed on her the entire time, as they exchanged handshakes.

Sophie felt hot in the face, and hoped it wasn't obvious. Madison looked surprised, and pulled her sister's arms as she whispered.

“Lord, he's so handsome.” Sophie heard her, but she couldn't bring herself to react.

“Adrian, meet my daughters, Sophie, my first daughter and Madison, my second and your soon to be bride.” Their father said, still grinning.

“I must say, you've raised very beautiful women, Richard.” He said, and the sound of his deep baritone voice sent chills down her spine.

Her father and Adrian talked for a while, and Sophie made conscious efforts to avoid Adrian's gaze that seemed to be fixed on her.

“You good? You look pale,” Madison whispered and she forced a smile.

“I'm fine, just a little hot.”

“Well, Richard. I'm very impressed with your daughters, but if I may ask, why Madison?” He asked and Sophie looked up.

Was he about to insult her sister?

“What do you mean?” Her father asked, a small frown on his face. He seemed confused by the question.

“Don't get me wrong, I think your daughters are both very beautiful, but you mentioned that Madison is younger, about twenty years of age?”

Her father nodded. “That's correct.”

“What about Sophie?” He asked again, his eyes on her once again. Sophie felt a knot in her stomach, but she ignored it.

“Well, she's twenty three.”

“Great, so why are you so eager to marry your younger daughter off instead of the older one?” Adrian asked and the room fell silent.

Sophie wondered where Adrian was going with the talk.

“Well, you see, Madison is a very strong woman. She's beautiful, and would be of great help to you. Trust me as her father, to know what's best for her, and for you as well.” Her father explained, although it looked like he was taken aback by the question.

Adrian frowned. “Is that to say that Sophie isn't beautiful, strong and might be a liability for me?”

Sophie was too surprised to be offended by her father's description. The look on Adrian's face seemed to defend her better than any words she would want to use.

“That's not what I mean at all. Sophie is an extremely smart and lovely woman, but… she's had health issues from her childhood. I take pride in caring for her, and I wouldn't want to burden anyone with that responsibility.”

Her father's words stung now, but she was set on hearing what Adrian had to say.

“Well, I'm sure you know we'll enough that I have more than enough resources to make sure she's comfortable for the rest of her life, despite her health.” Adrian spoke with so much confidence, that Sophie blushed.

“What are you driving at?” Her father asked.

“I want Sophie. Madison seems amazing, but I think Sophie is a better match for me.” He said, in the familiar commanding tone, she had heard two days ago.

“Uh…I don't think that's going to work, Adrian. I'm not sure you can handle Sophie.” Her father tried to remain calm, but his voice was shaky.

She saw Adrian chuckle lightly, like he had just been challenged.

“Even you know that's a lie, Richard. If anything, I'm more than capable of taking care of your daughter, Richard.” He looked so confident, Sophie wondered if there was a different meaning to what he was saying.

From the corner of her eye, she could see that Madison had relaxed. She didn't smile, but Sophie knew she was dancing on the inside.

Sophie felt a rollercoaster of emotions riding inside of her. She was full of anticipation, hoping Adrian would win this ongoing battle, but she wasn't sure why.

Did she want Madison to be free that badly, or was she feeling this way because she wanted Adrian for herself?

A part of her felt bad for her father. He looked like he was about to lose his precious child, but she knew he was overreacting.

After a long bout of silence, Adrian stood up. The talk had gone on long enough.

Sophie was surprised to see that the look of confidence in his face didn't waver. He looked like he knew he'd win eventually.

“ I'll be back tomorrow and I hope you'll change your mind, Richard. Think about what I've said, and make a good decision as her father.” He turned to leave and stopped when her father spoke.

Her father was standing now. “And if I don't agree?”

Adrian smirked. “You should, but in the case that you don't, I guess there'll be no wedding. I'm sure you know what that implies too.”

He left just then, glancing briefly in her direction before he did. He looked right into her eyes and smiled before leaving.

Sophie felt the heat inside of her. She stood frozen, her knees weak from the impact of the smile.

No one spoke, until her father stood up and left for his study.

The girls walked to Sophie's room and closed the door behind them quietly. Sophie let out a loud sigh and was surprised when Madison squealed loudly.

“That definitely took a turn,” she said pulling Sophie's arms until they were both seated on the bed.

“You look happy,” Sophie said quietly. Happy was an understatement. Madison was overjoyed.

“I am! We didn't even have to talk father out of it. Adrian already knew what he wanted.”

“True,” she replied.

“Although I wasn't expecting him to be so handsome, but oh well. He's not who my heart yearns for,” Madison said and laid her back on the bed.

Sophie smiled, but she said nothing else.

The rest of the day went by quickly, but her father never came out of the study, not even when she made dinner and announced to him.

Was he really that upset because of what Adrian had said? Did he really think she wouldn't do fine outside of Cornwall?

She sighed after knocking a few times on his door and him telling her he was fine. She hoped he was.