CHAPTER TWO
1237 Words
Chapter Two
Sophia's POV
“Sophie, please… would you open the door?”
Jennifer’s gentle knock echoed through my room, her voice soft but urgent.
“Go away, Jeni,” I replied, my words barely audible.
“I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.”
My throat felt raw after hours of crying.
“Come on, Sophie. Don’t do this.” Concern laced her voice. “Your mum called me. She said you’ve locked yourself in your room all day. Please, open the door.”
“I’m not hungry, Jeni,” I mumbled, curling tighter into a ball on my bed. My head throbbed, and my eyes stung. Everything felt foggy.
“If you don’t open this door, Sophie, I’ll go downstairs and tell your mum how you snuck out to Debbie’s birthday party last year.”
Despite myself, I let out a small, tired sigh.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
Reluctantly, I pushed myself up and shuffled over to unlock the door.
The moment it opened, Jennifer crossed her arms, a triumphant smile on her face.
“That’s better. I thought you were going to—”
She stopped mid-sentence.
The smile vanished.
“Oh my God…”
Her eyes widened as she took me in.
“Sophie…”
She stepped closer, her voice suddenly gentle.
“What happened to you?”
I knew what she was seeing: my swollen eyes, pale skin, the exhaustion etched into my face.
I opened my mouth to explain, but instead, fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
Jennifer’s expression softened instantly. Without a word, she pulled me into a hug.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back. “You don’t have to talk if you’re not ready.”
I shook my head.
“N-No…”
I wiped at my tears.
“I’ll tell you.”
She guided me to the bed, and we sat down together.
“Mum wants me to get married,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jennifer blinked in surprise. “Married?”
She looked genuinely confused.
“But, Sophie, you’re twenty-four. That’s not a bad age to get married.” She tried to smile. “I’m sure Nathan would be thrilled if you told him. He’d probably rush you to the altar himself.”
Normally, I would have laughed.
Today, I couldn’t.
“I’m not marrying Nathan.”
My voice trembled.
“Mum wants me to marry Fredrick Stones… to save her company.”
Jennifer’s smile vanished.
“What?” She covered her mouth with both hands. “Fredrick Stones? The billionaire?”
For a moment, she just stared at me.
“Oh my goodness…”
She shook my shoulders playfully, trying to lighten the mood. “Girl, do you know how many women dream of marrying that man? I’m actually jealous.”
I pulled away.
“I’m serious, Jeni.”
Her smile faded.
“I’m sorry,” she said, reaching for my hand. “I wasn’t thinking.” She squeezed my fingers gently. “I know how much you love Nathan.”
Just hearing his name made my eyes fill with tears again.
“And I know how much you love your mum, too.”
I looked down, my voice breaking. “I don’t know what to do. If I refuse, Mum loses everything. If I agree…”
I couldn’t finish the sentence.
Jennifer was quiet for a moment before speaking.
“If you really want my opinion…” She took a deep breath. “I think you should do what your mum is asking.”
I looked at her, searching her face.
“I know it’s painful,” she continued. “I know this isn’t what you dreamed of. But your mother’s company isn’t just a business — so many families depend on it. If it closes, all those people will suffer too.”
She gently brushed away my tears.
“And as for Fredrick… you don’t know what the future holds. If things don’t work, you can always leave someday. But if your mum’s company collapses, there may not be another chance to save it.”
Her words settled heavily in my heart.
Maybe she was right.
“And Nathan?” I whispered.
Jennifer gave me a sad smile.
“If Nathan truly loves you, he’ll understand you didn’t make this choice because you stopped loving him.”
I couldn’t hold back any longer. I threw my arms around her, clinging to the comfort only she could give.
She hugged me tightly, saying nothing more.
Jennifer had always known exactly what I needed. We’d been best friends since high school. Over the years, she’s more like a sister to me.
“Thank you, Jeni,” I whispered.
After she let go, my gaze drifted to the contract lying on my desk.
My chest tightened. My hands trembled as I picked it up.
The pen felt impossibly heavy.
I stared at the signature line for what felt like forever.
Once I signed… there would be no turning back.
A single tear landed on the paper.
I closed my eyes, my breath, and signed my name.
The ink was barely dry before my vision blurred with fresh tears.
“I’m sorry, Nathan,” I whispered.
“I hope… one day… you’ll understand.”
Fredrick’s POV
I sat in my office, focused on the documents displayed on my computer screen, when my secretary walked in with an envelope in her hands.
“What is it?” I asked without taking my eyes off the computer.
“Actually, sir, it’s personal, so I didn’t read it,” she replied.
“Leave it on the table.”
“Yes, sir.”
She placed the envelope on my desk and turned to leave. Just before reaching the door, she stopped and looked back at me.
“Sir, do you need anything? I’m at your service.”
I finally looked up at her.
“Thanks, Stella. I’m fine.”
She smiled politely before leaving my office. Stella had worked for me for years. She was one of the most loyal employees in the company and always gave her best to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Once the door closed, my attention shifted to the envelope.
I picked it up and opened it. Inside was the contract. A faint smile appeared on my lips the moment I saw the signature at the bottom.
Sophia Bennett.
She signed it.
I leaned back in my chair, my eyes fixed on her signature for a brief moment. The last time Sophia came to Stones International, she had submitted the proposal herself. We never got the chance to meet because Stella attended to her and informed her that we would contact her after reviewing the proposal. Later, it was her mother who came to see me.
I had carefully reviewed the proposal, but it offered very little benefit to my company. It simply wasn’t a deal worth accepting. So…
I presented them with a proposal of my own. Mrs. Bennett’s company was already on the verge of collapse. They desperately needed my help, and I knew they would carefully consider my offer.
I closed the contract and placed it back on my desk.
“Looks like I have a wedding to plan.”
A small smile crossed my face as I reached for my phone.
Bennett was officially Mrs. Stones
- Writer
