A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 57: SOFIA

Chapter 57: SOFIA

Each step I took down the stairs was ladened with guilt.

How had it been that in the space of 5 hours, it felt like I had changed?

The girl who came to this place, where was she?

And who is this one who has somehow managed to get herself entangled with a ruthless CEO, had to save a man’s job and has charmed an innocent, kind fella into falling for her?

The last. That hurts the most.

Perhaps Alicia was right in saying that I’m my father’s daughter.

Perhaps it was Sofia Blake who crossed that revolving door, and now... Sofia Reed will be the one to exit that same

door.

The aftermath of the day has my reason for coming, a total waste of time. I wished I never came, perhaps I wasn’t even supposed to come. Maybe the delays and stumbling blocks I encountered on my way were trying to stop me from coming, because the universe knew. It knew I would regret ever stepping foot on that marble floor of the lobby.

For once in my life, it seemed like life actually cared. All I went through to get here wasn’t life being cruel, it was simply shielding me from this.

This ache in my heart at what I had done. This weight of what I’m to do. This scale of pros and cons that each side can never equal to the other.

I didn’t want to take Cole’s job, but I must because if not Harry would lose

his.

The hallway was bursting with activity as I made my way to the elevator.

Staff and workers exchanged goodbyes, some huddled close teasing their way to the elevator, others in pairs and some like me, a team of one, all heading towards the elevator.

I hastened my steps, dreading to be huddled in a ride with as many people. I passed the paintings without as much as offering them a glance. But Belle of the Ball, I glared at as I hurried by.

"Sofia!" Someone called from behind.

Even before turning, I knew it was Harry. He left his league of colleagues and hurried towards me, his brown leather bag, jostling with each stride.

"Hey," he said as a way of greeting. "Tell me, do I still have a job or...?"

I swallowed the lump that rose in my throat as I prepared to lie to him.

"Of course you do. I can be very persistent and persuasive. Your boss was a hard nut, but be rest assured I cracked him" I finished, dabbing him a playful punch on his arm.

"That’s a relief" he uttered, "come, let me introduce you to my friends." He was already pulling me towards them. A coppery haired woman, a silver-gray haired man and a dark haired woman, all within the age bracket of 45 and 65.

"No," I said, withdrawing. "Harry, I have spent a lot of time here, I really ought to go back home"

He glanced at his watch,

"Go back home by 7pm, why? Me and my friends are actually going to share a few drinks at Tanks & Pubs, that bar downtown. You can join us if you want, maybe you could even read them because they’ve been dying to meet you after I told them of mine."

He was been honest, the trio was waving at me and sharing whispers, but I wasn’t feeling like it. I don’t know how much longer I could stay before the truth becomes too heavy in my lips.

"I’m really sorry, Harry, but I have things I do need to attend to. But you can call me perhaps when next you all will be going out and I’ll try to be there"

I handed him my phone and he inputted his number. With a light squeeze of his hand, I backed away.

The groans of disappointment from his friends trailing from behind me, and his

own voice,

"Don’t worry guys, she promised to join us the next time, so hold your horses" he said, calming them down.

With the elevator just a few steps away, I dared risk a glance at them. Harry was telling them something and they were all listening with rapt attention_

"Watch where you are going" someone said, gripping my arms in an effort not to collide with him.

I veered to see a man in a gray suit, his dark hair was graying at the edges, his beard was silver and his dark eyes bored at me with shock.

He released my arms immediately, took a step back as if to really look at me,

"Do I know you? I swear your face looks familiar" he said.

I recognized him now, the strong jawline gave it away. Not to mention that I’ve seen him in different news and magazine covers. He was Edward Wellington, former CEO of the Wellington Fashion Empire and father to the cruel Richard Wellington.

But what was he talking about? I knew who he was, but I can swear he hasn’t seen me before, so what’s with the weirdness and shock?

"My apologies Sir, I didn’t mean to be distracted. But I don’t think our paths has ever crossed except for this moment"

He waved away my words,

"I’m certain of it, there’s something familiar about those eyes and your face, but I can’t really place my hands on it. I don’t forget faces and my mind is telling me that yours is stored somewhere within, perhaps it’s layered with other images, but I’m sure it will come to me eventually. By the way, what’s your name?"

I have already had to deal with his devil of a son and though the media portrays Edward to be good, kind even. I found myself not trusting the dark eyes intent on me.

"With all due respect, I don’t think that’s necessary, Sir"

"Do you even know who I am?" He asked in return.

"Who doesn’t," I replied, " you are Edward Wellington, the only CEO to throw and host more charity balls and fundraisers than any other in his tenure"

He smiled at that, revealing teeth as white as his son’s.

"And yet, you deny me the pleasure of getting to know who you are? Don’t you think that’s unfair considering that you know who I am?"

Perhaps the media was right about Edward, he didn’t flaunt who he was or his power like his son and for one he looked at me and spoke to me like I’m an actual human being.

"Forgive me Sir, I often forget my place. It’s Sofia Re_Blake, my name I mean"

"That’s a rather unusual last name, ReBlake, don’t you think?" he queried, his eyes searching mine as if it could discern the truths within.

"That was a mistake, Sir. It’s Blake, not ReBlake"

"Blake," he repeated, pondering about the name. "Do you think I know your father, I mean do you think we know each other?"

"My father is late, Sir, but I think you knew him, he runned one of the largest Real estate agencies in New City, Blake Real Estates."

"I think I remember him now, dark haired, green eyes, but didn’t his agency fold due to mortgages"

Had Mr Blake really been my father, I would have winced at that. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel bad for the guy.

"Yes Sir, that’s him" I managed, eager to be on my way. People were already staring, Harry and his friends had already reached the elevator and were about to board.

"If my memory serves me right, dear old Blake had two daughters, twins rather and I don’t remember them being this beautiful and didn’t they have hair the color of chestnut?"

Of course, he knew the Blakes. I don’t really know how he knew them, but he was right.

"You are right, Sir, I’m not really... erm... um_"

"That’s right, you are the bastard daughter" He supplied.

I did wince this time. I may be protected by the Blake name, but that doesn’t mean that I like the circumstances that the protection entailed.

I hated being referred to as the ’bastard’. But life is a cruel humorous bitch.

"You know it’s nothing to be ashamed of" he offered at my prolonged silence.

"I’m so sorry Sir, but I have to run along now" I said, already walking away.

"It’s been a pleasure, Ms Sofia, I hope our paths cross again!" He called.

"I really doubt that" I murmured, quickening my steps.

There were two elevators, placed side by side and each was occupied.

The way I felt deemed it worthy that I take a solitary ride. I was already feeling down, and he had to add to my hurt. He just had to remind me that I don’t belong. That I’m a mistake. That I’m a bastard.

I knew it wasn’t true, but that doesn’t mean it hurt any less.

Mr Edward may not be like his son, but he was just like everyone else, privileged and carefree with their words, not

minding who gets hurt by it.