A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 29: RICHARD

Chapter 29: RICHARD

I stalled to allow Sofia to come to her senses.

Surely she can’t mean that she could simply look at someone’s attire and discern the type of person he/she was. That’s simply absurd. Unheard of, even.

In this world of ours, such abilities don’t exist.

But the proud bitch didn’t, instead she stared at me in defiance. Her stance saying, "Bring it on".

Who do you want me to read? She had asked.

Leaning forward, my eyes traveling the length of her,

"Tell me, Sofia, how do you plan to

’read someone’ when you can’t even dress yourself?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sofia’s flushed, but she maintained her composure,

"I’d rather not discuss my personal style, Richard. It’s irrelevant to my qualifications."

I chuckled. She was really funny.

"Oh, but it’s very relevant. Your... eclectic taste says a lot about your judgment. And I’m not impressed. You say your personal style is irrelevant to your qualifications, but I seem to recall a particular passage, sentence rather in Anna Wintour’s letter of recommendation that said ’impeccable fashion sense, a taste so unique in this modern age’ or am I wrong? Wait a minute, could it be that that letter was forged?"

"That’s ridiculous!" she stamped, "and you know it is. Every word in that letter came directly from Anna and if you doubt it, why not ask her yourself? Surely with your rate of success, you must have her number"

Yes, I found it hard to believe that someone like her could secure a letter of recommendation from Anna, but I never doubted the originality or the source. I just wanted to see her mad and it worked.

"That won’t be necessary, not that I believe you especially with... that" I said leaning forward and emphasizing on her attire.

Her eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a sharp edge,

"I’d advise you to focus on my skills,

Richard, rather than my wardrobe."

She had guts, calling me by my name and the way she said it, no, she spat the name as if she was eager to rid it from her mouth.

But she was about to regret it. Leaning back and steepling my fingers, I said,

"Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, Sofia. Fashion is about aesthetics, and you, my dear, are a mess."

I watched as her anger simmered, her finger knuckles flexing and unflexing before she toned,

"Maybe I am a mess, but I think this back and forth thing you’ve been doing for minutes now is simply because you are scared of this ability of mine."

Now, it was my own turn to get angry. People don’t usually get past the extra thick layer I have scaled my skin with, but this girl... this Sofia Blake was burrowing deep.

"Don’t kid yourself. You are nothing for me to even bend a hair in fear"

Somehow I knew that got to her more deeply than anything I’ve ever said, her rage changed to something else, hurt.

"Vera, get your ass in here" I called, to prove to her that ’scared’ wasn’t a word I would ever be associated with.

The being in question, walked in like she was tiptoeing through shards of glass.

"Sir, I know you said I’m not to disturb you until after the interviews, but Claire has been calling nonstop. She says it’s urgent." Vera said as soon as she stood in her place.

I was aware of Claire’s calls, my phone screen bore the testament. And I don’t think it was urgent, that was just a ploy Claire always used to get me to drop everything I was doing and focus on her. But not today.

"Read her," I said, pointing at Vera.

"Wait, what now?" Vera asked, puzzled.

"So, how does this ’ability’ work? Do you need to touch her or get closer to her? How exactly do you intend to impress me?"

Sofia’s eyes flashed with determination, her momentary lapse swept under the different masks she kept on her face, as she said,

"I’m not here to impress you, Richard. I’m here to prove my value."

"Are you? We’ll see about that." I laced.

With that daring smile, she continued,

"This ’power’, I call Sartorial Intuition and no, I don’t need to touch her or get closer. I just have to be close enough to take in her appearance and read what it says"

"Well go on then, show me this ’Sartorial Intuition’, which is a cheesy name by the way"

"Sir, what is happening? I’m yet to finish organizing the files you’d be needing for this afternoon’s board meeting. Can I just get back to it?"

Vera was scared, it was pellucid in her

trembling voice. And I guess that was

understandable, being a test subject for the manifestation of an ability that has never been heard of, of course it’s scary.

"Vera, you have nothing to be afraid of. I assure you, it doesn’t hurt or affect negativity or any of those things we see with people who have powers" Sofia said, narrowing her eyes to Vera.

"Thanks for the assurance" Vera answered, her tone laced with sarcasm as she covered her chest with her folded arms as if she felt exposed under Sofia’s scrutiny.

"Vera, your bold, red dress is a statement piece. It exudes confidence and a desire for attention. The fitted silhouette and daring neckline suggest a woman who’s comfortable with her body and isn’t afraid to showcase it. The matching ruby earrings imply sophistication. However, the subtle flutter sleeves and silver necklace with a tiny, crystal pendant hints at a softer, more vulnerable side." Sofia observed.

"I value the in between compliments, but I’m not desiring for attention neither do I have a vulnerable side" Vera complained.

"Surely that can’t be it?, anyone could read that" I scoffed.

Sofia didn’t even acknowledge my words nether did she - Vera’s, as she

continued,

"Perhaps Vera is trying to reassert her presence, reclaiming attention she feels she’s lost? Or maybe she’s seeking to rekindle a spark, possibly with someone in particular?_"

"That’s absurd!" Vera yelled, then as if recollecting herself and who she stood in front of, she finished in a milder tone, "Those are lies, there’s no truth in them"

Vera’s cheeks were flushed, but Sofia gave her no heed. To her it seems she was in a trance, as if she was in a space where it was just her and Vera.

Continuing as if she hadn’t heard her,

she went on, her eyes fixed on her hands,

"Your nails, painted a deep, berry red, indicate creativity and flair. The simple, gold bangle on your wrist adds a touch of elegance, but the slight chips on your nails indicates anxiety. Even now, your fingers are tapping on your elbow, suggesting your uneasiness in your Boss’ presence"

"That’s enough!," Vera stamped, flushing a shade darker of crimson.

Turning to her Boss, she said, " Sir, I

have had enough of this evaluation or whatever the hell this is, I beg to take my leave"

Before I could respond, Sofia added,

"Your overall style, Vera, speaks of a woman who’s assertive, yet guarded. The way you wear your hair, pulled back in a sleek bun, suggests control, but the subtle wisps framing your face reveal a softer side. And your choice in red feels like a beacon drawing attention to you, almost as if someone in this company complimented on how gorgeous you look in red. Perhaps that was in the past when you were still together and now, with this bold display you are trying to get him/her back. Or you are still in the relationship and you want to really please the other person. Am I wrong?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Vera answered, throwing away her gaze.

I couldn’t believe my ears, how was it that this girl had gotten those cues simply from looking at Vera?

It was simply impossible. No, she must have read about her or perhaps someone within leaked to her of my past dalliance with Vera. I had been the one to tell Vera that red was her color.

Even now though I felt nothing for her, she still looked amazing. Her red dress complimented her dark hair and accentuated the dark color of her eyes.

But could Sofia have known all this? How could she read so accurately? Even to the chips on Vera’s nails, no, there must be something else she was not telling me.

"Vera, be honest with me or risk losing your job, do you know this lady?" I asked in a tone that suggested that I meant my threat.

Raising both her hands, Vera swore,

"I promise you Sir, that I’ve never ever seen this lady before. I swear on my mom’s grave"

"That’s alright, Vera. You can take your leave"

She was close to tears now and I saw her battling to keep them contained.

Turning to Sofia, because I believed Vera. For her to swear by her late mother’s grave, she was being totally honest.

"You," I said, snapping Sofia’s attention away from Vera, even as she murmured softly to the departing silhouette in red.

"I didn’t mean to hurt you or remind you of something you didn’t want to remember"

"Be honest with me or risk an arrest because I don’t take it lightly with

people lying to me. How did you know all that? Who in this company shared these things with you? Remember I hate liars" I hissed.

If she was afraid, she didn’t show it. Matching my coldness, she replied,

"Shocked, right? Let me assure you, most times I’m shocked myself by the things I read, but no one told me anything about Vera before I came here. In fact, this is my first encounter with her. So what’s it going to be, believe me or arrest me?" she finished, holding out her hands.

As much as the latter seemed very tempting, I had something better. An idea that would truly prove whether she was telling the truth or not.

"Sofia Blake," I mused, "if you are truly speaking the truth, why don’t you convince me by throwing that spotlight on yourself," at her puzzled expression. I added, "read yourself, Sofia".