Dinner with the devil
1700 Words
Chapter Two: Dinner with the Devil
Sophia explained everything in detail to her, from the failing company to the signed deal and to the dinner planned tonight.
Lila kept quiet and said to her, "If you don't want to marry him just run away to a far country. Where they wouldn't find you or you can come stay with me. You have some money saved from your art commissions?"
"I can’t just run. I'm grounded and he’ll find me. My father will never let me go. And Leonardo DeLuca? He is a very ruthless man that gets everything he wants with money.”
“Are you afraid of him?"
Sophia hesitated. "I don’t know him. But I’ve read about him. He’s... cold, wicked, calculating and ruthless in business. And if he’s willing to buy a wife he barely knows, then you already know what that says about him?"
"Nothing good."
They were silent for a while. Then Lila said, "You don’t have to love him at all, Sophia. But don’t let them destroy who you are. If they force this marriage on you... then fight from inside.
"I will," Sophia replied
“Take good care of yourself, talk to you later” Lila said….
Later that evening, the doorbell rang.
The cook opened the door. Leonardo entered the house dressed in a black suit that probably would cost more than her entire clothing collection.
He looked around searching for her, where she stood at the top of the stairs. They locked eyes. He gave her a nod but she ignored his gaze and gave him a cold snub.
"You must be Sophia," he said when she reached him.
"You must be the wicked man trying to buy me," she replied.
He let out a smile.
"Let’s get something straight please I don’t want this marriage. I don’t want you."
"Good," he said simply. "That makes two of us."
Sophia stared at him. "What?"
"I don’t want a wife either. But I need one. And you were offered. I accepted."
You mean you bought me to mock me?
They stood there for a moment, they were two strangers, caught in a deal neither asked for.
"You may hate this arrangement," Leonardo said, "but with time you’ll find out that I’m not as cruel as the rumours that you have heard. Unless you give me a reason to be."
Sophia smiled and said "I don’t get scared of one easily."
He stared at her. Ignoring her he walked over to where the dinner was set.
Sophia stood at the doorways, Not knowing what to do or say to lay him off or make him angry.
The dining was well decorated with various varieties of food.
This doesn't feel like a dinner to Sophia.
Not because of the food. But because of the man sitting at the head of the table, who was the cause of her situation.
Sophia was seated next to her father and her eyes were away from him. Her hands rested on her lap.The food on her plate was still the same. She hadn’t touched it.
She refused saying anything nor eating all the food that was given to her by their cook.
“Sophia,” her father called, his voice stiff. “You haven’t touched your meal.”
She raised her brow and looked away, “I don't feel like eating anything.”
Leonardo raised his glass and took a small drink of wine. He kept his eyes on her.
“Seems you don't like the chicken laps” he asked, his voice low and arrogant
Sophia stared all through at her glass of water. “I don’t eat food served at a funeral.” She said
Silence followed.
Leonardo tilted his head and smirked. “ So you think this is a funeral?”
Sophia raised her soft, fluffy eyes which were full of quiet anger. “Isn’t it? You ended my life today.”
The room went still and quiet.
Her father adjusted on his seat and tried calming the atmosphere.
Leonardo didn’t react to her clap back. He placed his liquor glass on the table, still calm and said to her, “You’re being dramatic.”
And you’re arrogant and wicked," she replied quickly.”
Thomas cleared his throat and said "Sophia behave yourself, let's not begin like this, This dinner is meant for introductions and not for fights.”
“I don't need any further introduction. We have met earlier before," Leonardo said, still looking at Sophia.
She pushed her chair backward,the sound echoing through the quiet room.
“I’m done having to sit on this table with you both,” she said and stood up.
Her father’s voice, “Sophia, sit down. Stop throwing unnecessary tantrums and making things difficult.”
She didn’t listen and went towards the door.
Leonardo’s voice came next. Softer and annoying. “Let her go.”
Thomas looked confused. “Leonardo, hope this wouldn't be an issue?.”
“She needs time,” he said, still watching her leave. “We’ll talk later when we are both alone.
That final word made her feel sick inside.
Still, she walked out of the dining room without another word. With the sound of her heels being the only thing that was being heard till she left.
She didn’t stop until she reached the stairs. She ran up so fast like she was being chased. When she got to the second floor, she rushed into the only room that still felt like she was important and not like an object.
Her art studio.
As she got in, she closed the door, took a deep shaky breath and turned the bolt.
Her room felt warm.Her paintings covered the walls. Her heart lived in those colors. The soft pinks,bright lilac and deep blue Pieces of her being Safe and untouched.
She walked to her easel and took a new canvas. Her hands were shaking. She was so angry and in a deep pain that she put her brush in black paint and began to paint.
She didn’t know what she was painting. She didn’t care. She just had to move her hands to ease the pain that had gathered in her heart.
Stroke by stroke.
Fast, Hard and Angry.
Her brush did the talking for her. It said everything she couldn’t.
Time passed. From seconds to minutes then to hours. The food that was served to her downstairs would have been cold. The candles burned slowly, but that did not stop her.
The drawing on her canvas turned into a storm that was coming to envelop her, black swirls,sharp lines and broken shapes.
She didn’t know what it meant.
She only knew it hurt.
A knock broke the silence.
She froze, who could that be again “she thought”.
Then came the voice she didn’t want to hear.
“Sophia.”Her heart sank.
She dropped the brush in her hand, went to the door but didn’t open it.
"We need to talk," Leonardo said. His voice was calm but firm.“Open the door.”
“Why?” she asked, her voice clear. “So you can explain how you bought me like a deal?”
A pause.
“I didn’t buy you,” he said. “I saved your father, we went on a transactional business. You were part of the cost.”
Sophia slowly unlocked the door and opened it just a little.
Leonardo stood there. Same black suit. Hands in his pockets. His face was hard to read.
“You call that saving?” she asked.
“Would you rather prefer he goes to prison?”
“Maybe that would feel more honest.”
He leaned a little forward, but didn’t step inside.
“You can’t hide in here forever."Guess you know.
“You’re angry,” he said.
“No kidding.” she replied
His eyes moved around the room, he saw the paintings.
“What do you want, Leonardo?” She asked
“I really want us to talk Sophia.”
“I have nothing to say.” she replied immediately
“Then listen.”
She waited a second, then stepped back and left the door open.
Leonardo came in slowly. He didn’t touch anything. He didn’t sit.
"I'm not against you getting your career," he said.
Sophia gave a short, bitter laugh. “Then what are you? My hero?”
“No,” he said. “I’m your husband.”
The word made her feel more hurt and angry inside.
She crossed her arms. “A forced and documented husband. A deal. That’s not love. That’s not marriage.”
“I never promised love,” he said. “I promised to keep you safe.”
“I didn’t ask for that.”
“No,” he agreed. “Your father did.”
She looked away when he said that.
Leonardo kept watching her. Your father was drowning in debt and lots of people were ready to destroy him…..
She stayed quiet.
“I had to step in but I asked for one thing in return.”
Sophia looked back at him. “And that thing was me”?
“Yes.”
“And you think I should be grateful?”
“No,” he said. “I think you will be able to survive.”
She stared at him. “Then what does all this mean to you, just survival?”
"Isn’t that what your father wants?"
"No," she said in a soft voice. "I want to live my life and follow my dreams. I want to paint because it makes me happy. I want to be free and not go by my father's selfish wish."
Leonardo took a step closer.“Freedom comes with a cost.”
“And I’m already paying for it.”
They stared at each other.
He glanced at her painting again. “You have talent.”
She frowned. “You know about art?”
“No,” he said. “But I know what pain looks like.”
His words surprised her.
For the first time, his voice didn’t sound cold.
It sounded... honest.
He turned toward the door.
- Writer
