The Silent Vow

CHAPTER 2: Entering Oliver’s World

A few days passed and Sophie hadn’t heard from the Matchmaking Company. She wondered if she had been rejected by Oliver. She began to worry as that was her only hope left. At the library, she sat quietly, deep in thoughts when a message popped into her phone. She picked up her phone and read the message.

“Dear Sophie, we are pleased to inform you that you have been scheduled to meet with Mr Oliver Ferdinand tomorrow, Friday, by 3:00pm at the Ferdinand Enterprise. Please don’t be late”

Sophie was overwhelmed with confusion. She didn’t know what to do or how to feel.

She immediately picked up her phone and called Emma.

“Hi Emma, I’ve got news,” she said in a completely plain tone.

“Sophie, what is it this time?” She asked worriedly, trying to decipher Sophie’s tone.

“The matchmaking company has asked me to meet up with Mr Oliver Ferdinand tomorrow.” Sophie replied.

Emma went silent for a minute, then she asked softly. “Do you really want to do this, Sophie?”

Sophie answered, “I know it’s going to be fine, I don’t really have other options by the way. I’m sure it can’t be worse than anything I’ve already imagined.”

“Call me when it’s done.” Emma says.

“Sure thing.”

Sophie hangs up.

It was closing hours at work so Sophie rushed home to prepare for her meeting with Oliver the next day. Immediately she got home, she started to look for the “perfect outfit”, she knew she couldn’t look like what she was going through. She looked through all the clothes in her closet and couldn’t find anything she thought was ideal. I mean, she was meeting with a billionaire. Suddenly, she remembered a dress her friend had gotten her for her birthday last year. It was a long, modest but beautiful dress. Plain brown colour with a belt behind. She decided that she was going to wear it, paired with her cream coloured wedge heels.

The night went by so fast and it was Friday already. Sophie was up early as she was so nervous, she found herself having conversations in her head.

Although it was still early, she knew she had to start getting ready so as to beat the everyday traffic. So she hopped in the shower.

When she was done, she got out, got dressed, and had breakfast. Then she headed out.

She got into a taxi, gave him the address and they headed straight there. It was about forty-five minutes to get to the office because it was on the other side of town, coupled with the already predicted traffic.

She arrived at the office, stunned. The building was so big and nicely structured with a modern touch of architecture. Then she got in.

“Excuse me miss, how may I help you?” A young man walking past her asked.

“My name is Sophie Baker, and I have an appointment with Mr Oliver Ferdinand.” She replied in a cool, sweet tone.

“Hi Miss Baker, I’m Caleb… ” He says. “Mr Oliver’s Personal Assistant. Nice to meet you”

“Nice to meet you too.” She replies, with a warm smile.

“I am aware of your meeting, I’ll take you to him right away! This way ma’am.” He said, leading her to the elevator.

Sophie follows him behind, still admiring how perfect the whole building was. She wondered how someone could acquire such fortune, yet be so desperate for a wife. Wouldn’t he have a lot of ladies dying to be with him? Why did he even need to go that far to search? All these thoughts kept ringing in her head when the elevator bell dings.

They are now at the top floor where Oliver’s office is situated. Caleb asked Sophie to sit and wait at the lobby while he speaks with Mr Oliver about her arrival.

He walks up to Oliver’s door and knocks.

“Come in!” Oliver answered in a commanding tone.

“Good day sir, Miss Sophie Baker is here to see you.” Caleb says.

“Let her in.” Oliver replies.

Caleb goes back out to call Sophie in.

Sophie, now filled with fear, her hands shaking and her feet cold, stands up and follows him in. They get into the office, Caleb excuses himself, and then leaves.

She takes a look at the man standing in front of her. A six feet tall and handsome young man. He had eyes that pierced at the sight of them, and a chiselled jawline.

“Miss Baker,” Oliver said smoothly, his voice deep and commanding. “I trust your journey here wasn’t too difficult?”

Sophie nodded, as she tried hard to put her thoughts together. He was unlike any other person she had ever met. Despite his charming looks, he still had so much coldness that could not easily be hidden.

“Yes, thank you for meeting with me,” she replied, trying to put herself together, despite being nervous.

He nodded and then offered her a seat. “Let’s get straight to the point. I’m sure you know why you’re here.”

Sophie felt her heart skip a beat. “Yes… to discuss the terms of the marriage.”

Oliver leaned forward with an unreadable expression. “This won’t be easy, Miss Baker. Our lives will be monitored closely, every move we make would be watched by the public and the press. But it’s a necessary sacrifice, for both of us.”

Sophie’s mind raced. She knew this was only a business transaction, but hearing it from his lips made it as real as could be. This wasn’t some fantasy. This was survival.

“You must know,” Oliver continued, his voice low, “that this will never be a marriage of love. But it will be one of mutual benefit. Your family will be saved, and I’ll fulfil my obligation. We both get what we need.”

His words hit Sophie very hard, like a punch to her stomach. It wasn’t love, but what other option would she rather go for? She didn’t really seem to have a choice, she just wanted to give her parents a nice and comfortable home, and a chance to live without the everyday threats of bankruptcy they faced.

Just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted by a sound. Her phone rang on the table. She glanced at it and saw her mother’s name flashing on the screen. She hesitantly answered, with her voice shaky.

“Mom, I’m—”

Her mother’s voice cut through the line, frantic and urgent. “Sophie, we need you! It’s… it’s the bank. They’re coming today. We don’t have much time.”

Sophie’s heart sank as she looked up at Oliver. He looked at her with so much curiosity, eager to know what was happening.

“I’ll be there soon, Mom,” she said, sounding tensed. She hung up the phone and stood quickly, her mind racing.

Oliver watched her every move closely. “What’s wrong?” he asked, in a slightly less neutral tone. A little bit of concern maybe.

The situation weighed Sophie down so much, but she needed to pretend like everything was fine. She didn’t have time for this. Her family needed her, though the moment to make her decision was slipping away.

“I… I have to go. I’ll give you my answer soon,” she said, trying to keep her composure.

Immediately she turned to leave, Oliver spoke again, his words sharp and cutting through the silence. “I won’t wait too long, Sophie. This deal doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Sophie nodded and rushed home.