Desserts & Dramas

Chapter 26

 And there was the moment she had tried so hard to avoid. Arthur offered her a glass of sparkling wine, which Sofia refused. She had drunk enough to celebrate the wedding without damaging her senses. Arthur shrugged and left her glass on the next table.

"If you change your mind, it will be right here. Have you met many people today?"

"A few. I'm sure there are more guests than at the engagement dinner."

"The Hurst family needs to show its power, especially at first-born parties."

"Do you only care about the first born?"

"Not really. I am an only child, I don't have this problem of sharing anything with anyone. However, those who are going to take over the family business are treated differently from the rest."

"It is almost a monarchy."

"Maybe. The elite have standards and traditions that they like to maintain and pass on. When other people enter this world, they usually encounter difficulties in things that are already natural to us."

"How to travel at any time in the family jet?"

"Actually, it is the companies that have jets, after all, we have some business abroad and we need agility. The comfort of having lunch in Paris or Rome in a few hours is just a bonus that not everyone takes advantage of."

"Like Tomás and Cecília."

"They are different, although they grew up with as many treats and presents as I did. Tomas denied his position and look where it got him. Hopefully Cecilia will be easier to handle. And yet, I know that Aunt Barbara will spare nothing at her wedding."

"Will your marriage be like this?"

"Bigger and better, no doubt" Arthur replied "Interested? "

"Still interested in investing in the gastronomic sector?" Sofia decided to play his game.

"Humm... I like the way you think, sweet Sofia." Arthur agreed and approached her. "I have always been told not to mix business and pleasure, but some people make that impossible, don't they?"

"For your family, marriage is a business too." Sofia answered.

"Which doesn't mean that you can't have pleasure. We can enjoy it and enjoy our business alliances."

If he wanted to follow this path, Sofia might as well take the opportunity to learn what she could about investors before cutting all the plans that he was surely already imagining for his future.

"If it's a business alliance, won't I own my company?"

"It depends on the agreement we make. My wife shouldn't work at the front of the company, she might as well enjoy the pleasures I offer her and live a life without worldly concerns. Knowing your manner, you are the type that will want to get involved."

"Who do you think will create the recipes and develop the products?"

"We can hire the chef you want and as many employees as you need to make the machine run. No need to stress that pretty little head of yours."

Arthur came over and touched her on the side of her face. Sofia quickly stepped back to keep the distance between them. Trying to remain impassive, she carried on with the subject:

"Who will make the decisions?"

"A very well-selected council and trusted members of our family." Arthur smirked "Sofia, you don't need to worry about these silly details. I will take care of everything for you. We can start with pleasure and then play with business."

Arthur put his hand on Sofia's face again, pulling her closer, but she pulled away.

"Investing is quite different from marriage."

"No doubt about it," Arthur sighed tiredly, "The investor won't interfere, just wait for the profits to come in."

"And I get full control of the company?" Sofia asked.

"Yes, unless you sell a considerable part of it to someone else."

"That's not in my plans. But I will need help with advertising. Connections are important."

"Sofia, Sofia... I never imagined you would be one of the interest group. "

"And do you know anyone who is not from this group?"

"Actually, maybe not." Arthur answered thoughtfully. "You see, marriage demands sacrifices in any social position, as you well know. I don't think that a princess's life is too much of a sacrifice, do you?"

Sofia chose not to answer, and Arthur continued:

"Investing is a completely different conversation. I won't have any control over the risk, so the value will depend on how persuasive you are."

Arthur couldn't keep the predatory smile off his face. He was certain of his success in winning over the bride's sister.

"What if I don't want to be persuasive?"

"No money and no connections, obviously."

"I'd rather be on my own then." Sofia cut him off.

She held out as long as she could, but talking to him disgusted her. It was such an archaic and sexist view. He wanted to buy her company so he could have a trophy wife. As if she was going to fall for that, her parents didn't raise her for that.

"Wow, the kitten has claws," Arthur replied, and held Sofia's fist in his hand. "I like that."

Sofia didn't have time to give her sharpest answer, Cecilia showed up to intervene.

"Sofia, Alice is getting ready to throw the bouquet, come on."

Cecilia looked at Arthur with burning eyes. She might be younger than he was, but she knew how to stand up for herself. He released Sofia and let her go with her cousin.

"I'll be waiting for you here, my bride-to-be." Arthur replied loudly so that everyone around could hear. An astonished Cecilia questioned Sofia:

"What did he mean by that?"

"Don't you know your cousin? He considers everything won before it's even won."

"His whole life has been like that. What worries me is why does he think he will win you?"

"I rolled him over to try to understand a little better about investments. Your family is not easy at all." Sofia gave Cecilia a sad look.

"Not everyone is like that. And even among the worst ones, the vast majority are far from being like Arthur." Cecilia explained.

"I'm glad to hear that, for Alice's sake."

"You can relax, we're here to take care of her. Forget about Arthur and let's enjoy the party."