Bond To The Devil

Episode 5:Bitter Revelation

Sophia’s POV

Today, I'll become Mrs. Sophia Douglas. Today, I'll defy my father. 

Rowan is sitting beside me in his Rolls-Royce Phantom, as the driver navigates us to the court he specifically chose. 

The ride to the court is awkwardly quiet, with neither of us saying a word to each other. 

I look outside the window, trying to not scream for them to stop the car so I can run away. Right now, nothing seems to make sense, it's like the blind eyes I used to get into this mess are now opened. 

After accepting the offer, with me making it happen today, it felt like I made a bad decision, and throughout last night, I didn't sleep for a moment. 

“Having cold feet?” 

“Huh?” I turn to see that he has been observing me for a while now. "No,” I lie through my teeth. 

“Good,” he says in a cocky way. 

“What do you stand to benefit from this?” I ask, curious as to why he needs me in this arrangement when he can get any girl in New York City. 

“None of your business, so long as this deal is mutually beneficial.”

He is cocky and arrogant, more reason why I should run. 

“Rule?” I just want to say anything. Keeping quiet will make me jump out of this moving car. 

He looks at me, confused. Yesterday, he read it to me. I was so engrossed in the plenty of ways to hurt my father that I forgot myself. 

“Three months, no strings attached.” He recites. "You get paid at the end of each month and you will never breathe a word of our deal to a third party.”

“My sister...”

"No one,” he interrupts me. 

I sigh loudly, not caring if he is beside me. If not for my father, why else would I be next to a rude and arrogant man like himself? And to think that he's going to be my husband and in a few hours is sickening. 

“And s*x?” 

“I will only do what you approve,” his expression doesn't change for a minute, as if he has stiff emotions. 

I ignore him, looking out the window. "I want s*x out of the list.”

"Suit yourself.” He shrugs. 

We finally arrive at the courtyard and we walk into the quiet hall where a judge is already waiting for us. We sit opposite the judge, ready to sign the papers and move on with our lives. 

The judge slips a copy to me. When I'm done signing against my name, I pass it to Rowan and he does the same. 

"The latest couple,” she smiles halfway. "Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Rowan Langley.” 

Rowan fakes a smile and stands up to leave, after taking the marriage certificate, while I follow behind. Back in the car, the driver heads out of the court. 

“We don't have a ring,” I say, looking down at my bare fingers. 

“We don't need one.” 

“It's not for aesthetics, yunno. I need it to convince my father,” I bluff. 

He turns to look at me with a shocked expression. 

“That wasn't part of the plan,”

"Talk about personal gain?” I act petty. "We have to sell our plans regardless,” I smack my lips. "And this is a must anyway.” 

We make our first stop at a Mall and go to the jewelry section. Rowan makes the sales rep bring a couple of rings. I try them one after the other, finally settling for a simple gold band. 

Getting to the airport, we board the next plane going to Connecticut. The feeling of nostalgia overwhelms me. A part of me thinks this is a bad idea, and another just wants to be free once and for all. 

After arriving at the airport, we take a cab to Cobblestone. My father owns the vast estate and the landed properties in the Cobblestone. 

When a security guard sees me, his jaws drop and he goes stiff for a minute. 

“Yeah, open,” I say to him. 

I turn to look at Rowan and motion for him to come in, and his expression has a bit of surprise as well. I would be too after all, I am a bottle girl in a club. 

"Sophia!" 

Charlotte throws herself at me, wrapping me tight in a bear hug. I don't hesitate to pull her closer, inhaling her fresh scent that I've missed so much. 

“Father is in, you should leave...”

“Actually, I'm here to see him,” I say bluntly. 

“But...” she mops, now noticing Rowan. She rolls her eyes at me, demanding an explanation. 

"How about we talk inside?” I take her arm and lead the way. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asks me, hesitating by the foot of the step. 

I nod. 

Certain that I mean what I'm about to do, she goes upstairs to fetch my father. Long minutes later, he comes down in his usual long white garment. 

His eyes move from me to Rowan, and back to me. 

“Father...”

"Who is he?” He cuts me off, eager to know the stranger in his house. 

“Rowan, my husband,” I mumble. 

“Is this a prank?!” His voice reverberates in the room. 

I take Rowan’s hand, our shiny ring flashing in his face, this will have to be the most serious joke if it were. 

“Father, meet Mr. Rowan Douglas, Rowan, meet my father, Mr. Brad Langley.”

“What?!” They both gasp, with Rowan snapping his hand from mine. 

I look from my father who is swearing, to Rowan, who is in a frozen state. 

“How dare you deceive me?!” Rowan barks. 

“Rowan,” I whisper, but he scolds me. 

“Your father is Mr. Brad Langley?!” 

I bat my lid, still not getting the fuss. 

“Your so-called husband is my rival?” 

Wait... The 'Douglas... Martin Douglas?!’ They framed our father years ago, rendering us completely penniless until we saw the light. 

What the f**k have I done?! 

My father laughs dryly. "Get out!”