THE HARRINGTON CONTRACT

CHAPTER 2: THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR

Sophia’s POV

My head was pounding. I slowly opened my eyes but the unfamiliar ceiling above me made me sit up immediately. For a few seconds I was lost, I had no idea where I was. I reached for my phone.

12 missed calls.

My eyes widened, and I had a flashback of last night's encounter. I remember going out with Grace and her boyfriend, I remember being drunk and alone at the party while Grace hung out with her boyfriend, I remember meeting a stranger, I remember telling him to stop, I remember the sharp pain I felt when he bit on my boob.

My memory was faint, it felt like lost pieces of a puzzle. I had an idea of what happened yesterday but some pieces of the event were blurry.

I looked at the time, it was already mid-morning.

“Oh my God.”

I quickly unlocked my phone and saw the missed calls again. Most of them were from my brother. He must have been worried sick. I immediately called him back, but he didn’t answer.

“Shit.”

I pushed the blanket aside and quickly searched for my clothes. My father was going to notice I wasn’t home, that’s if he hadn’t already.

In my attempt to search for my clothes, I felt a sharp pain in my belly. I could barely walk, each time I made an attempt to stand up I felt it again. A sharp pain shot through my belly, spreading a hot sensation through my body and leaving me lightheaded.

I held onto the edge of the bed until the dizziness passed. My heart was racing. I didn’t have time to figure out what was wrong.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, hoping the pain would disappear. It didn’t. I forced myself to stand up anyway, ignoring the discomfort as I searched through the room for my clothes. All I could think about was getting home as soon as I could before my father realized I had spent the night somewhere else.

I finally spotted my dress lying near the foot of the bed. I quickly picked it up, got dressed, grabbed my phone and slipped out of the room. I got downstairs and saw the condition of the house. It was a mess. The whole place was trashed. Most people were either asleep or drunk. The rest of them were either making out or stumbling around looking for their belongings.

I quietly slipped out of the house, hoping no one noticed me.

I knew I didn’t have money for a cab, so I started walking. The thought of the journey home on foot frustrated me, especially with the pain in my belly getting worse with every step.

Halfway down the street, I had to stop. My head was spinning and my legs felt numb. I grabbed onto a street sign to steady myself. A few minutes passed and I wasn’t getting any better. Then my phone rang again. It was my brother.

I hesitated before I picked up. “Sophia, where are you?” My brother's voice sounded worried.

“I’m coming home.”

“That’s not what I asked.” There was a pause.

“Dad has been asking about you all morning and I had to keep making excuses for you. Are you okay? You’re sounding very low. Tell me where you are so I can come pick you up atleast.”

I looked around my surroundings then I told him where I was.

“Okay, stay there. I’m coming.”

“Don’t tell dad I’ve been out since, please.”

“Sophia, I already told you I’ve been making excuses for you. Just stay where you are.”

“Okay.” I whispered.

I lowered my phone and looked down at the empty street. I was lost in thoughts but I wasn’t thinking about anything. I just wanted to get home, stay in my room and forget about everything.

A few minutes later my brother arrived in a cab. He got out almost immediately and hurried towards me.

“Sophia.”

I looked up at him.

“What happened? Why do you look like this?”

“I’m just tired.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push me either. He simply took my phone from my hand and helped me into the cab.

“I’ve got you. Just get some rest.”

I nodded and leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes.

The drive home was quiet. My brother kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror, but he didn’t say anything. I was grateful for that. I didn’t know what I would have told him even if he asked.

The cab finally pulled in front of our house.

“Dads awake.” I opened my eyes.

“Of course he is.”

“He has been waiting for you.”

I sighed and looked out the window. “What did you tell him?”

“Nothing that he can’t believe.”

I wasn’t sure whether that was supposed to make me feel better.

The moment we stepped inside, I saw my father sitting in the living room. His eyes immediately landed on me.

“Where have you been?” I froze.

My brother stepped in before I could answer. “She stayed with Grace.”

Dad looked at him, then back at me.

“Since when do you spend the night at Grace’s without telling me?”

I swallowed. “ I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Dads expression hardened. “You didn’t think I’d mind?”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a big deal.” I said lowering my gaze.

He stared at me for a moment before shaking his head.

“You’re right. It isn’t a big deal.” He continued. “Not compared to everything else I have to deal with.”

His words stung more than I expected.

“Go to your room.” He said, slightly raising his voice.

I left without a word.

I had almost reached the hallway when my father spoke again.

“Make sure you’re properly dressed later. Someone is coming to see you.”

I barely responded and continued walking up the stairs.

I got to my room and closed the door behind me. I stood there for a moment staring at nothing. I didn’t even bother taking off my shoes. I walked to my bed, climbed onto it and pulled my knees towards my chest.

The tears came before I could stop them. I cried until my chest hurt, thinking about everything all at once. Trying to process my reality, how fast everything happened and how I’m supposed to figure this out.

I don’t know how long I had stayed like that. I had completely lost track of time.

A soft knock came from the door.

“Sophia.”

I quickly wiped my face, even though I knew he had probably heard me crying.

“Come in.”

The door opened slowly and my brother stepped inside. He took one look at me and his expression changed.

“Sophia, are you okay? Did something happen at the party? You’ve been acting so differently since you got back.”

“I’m fine.” I said quickly.

He stared at me. “Dad sent me up here, actually. He said the person coming to see you is almost here and that you should get dressed.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Sophia, you’re crying. Talk to me.”

I wiped my face again and looked away.

“I don't want to talk about it right now.”

“That’s okay, I respect it. I’d be waiting for you in the sitting room with dad.”

“Okay.” I said.

He nodded and left, closing the door behind him. The room became quiet again.

I pulled the blanket over myself and closed my eyes. I was exhausted. My eyes felt heavy and I was in pain.

I loved my younger brother. He had always treated me like a younger sister and I’d give him the world when I finish my education and get a good job.

I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. One day, things would be different. Maybe I’d finally be over my mother’s death and my father would treat us as he did before the passing of his wife.

I sighed and sat up. Pushed the blanket off myself. I needed to get ready.

I grabbed a clean towel and some clothes before making my way to the bathroom. I avoided the mirror completely. I didn’t want to see myself.

I turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up before stepping underneath it. The heat touched my skin, and for the first time since I woke up, my body relaxed slightly.

I closed my eyes and took a slow breath. I took another breath and reached for the sponge. I didn’t know what I wanted to wash away but I felt unclean, I felt sticky.

I started scrubbing. I scrubbed and scrubbed over and over again. I increased the temperature of the water and kept scrubbing. But I still felt sticky.

My skin was red. The hot water running down my skin made it burn. I stood in the shower, examining every part of my body. It was red and irritated from the hot water and the aggressive scrubbing. I saw a mark on my boobs.

It sent flashbacks of the night before. I traced the bite mark. It felt a little deep. Tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t explain how I felt. The emotions were just too much to handle all at once.

I covered my face with my hands and cried. The water continued running over me and I felt the water getting cold. I braced myself up and gave myself a final bath. I grabbed my towel and made my way to my bed.

I walked back into my room and looked at the clock over my brother’s bed. I didn’t know how long I had been in the shower for, but I knew I couldn’t stay there forever. My father had specifically told me to get dressed.

I opened my wardrobe and started looking for something to wear. On a regular night, I’d have worn my bikers short and a baggy top, but I had a visitor today, so I had to look presentable.

I picked out a simple dress and laid it on my bed. I didn’t feel like putting much effort into my appearance, but I knew my father would have something to say about my appearance.

I changed into the dress and sat on the edge of my bed. I ran a brush through my hair, not bothering to do too much with it. I was sitting on the edge of the bed when there was a knock on the door.

Before I could answer, the door opened and my brother stepped inside.

“Dad said you should come downstairs. The person who came to see you is here.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He smiled softly. “Come downstairs when you’re ready, they are waiting for you.”

I stood up to adjust my dress. “Who is it?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. He looks familiar though.”

I sighed. I stood up and made my way towards the door. He stepped aside, letting me walk past him.

I walked into the living room and stopped. My father was sitting on one side of the room. Beside him was someone I had seen countless times on the television and in the newspapers.

“Charles Harrington.”

Billonaire. Business mogul. One of the most talked about men in the country. He stood up as soon as he saw me.

Tall, well-dressed. Calm.

I glanced at my father, confused.

“Sophia,” My father said. “Come here.”

I slowly walked closer. I still felt a little pain when I walked but it was bearable now.

He extended his hand. “Nice to finally meet you in person.”