Mafia King's Innocent Bride [PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH]

THE NEW SOPHIE

Sophie's POV

"She is Sophie Laurens." pagpapakilala sa akin ni Lance sa isang brunette na mukhang nasa 30 na ang edad suot ang isang pink chiffon dress. Ayon kay Lance, ang pangalan niya ay Thea at siya ang naga-assess ng mga bagong model na gustong maging part ng team nila.

Kaagad akong ngumiti sa kanya saka nag-bow. "Hi, Iam Sophie Laurens and I would like to be one of your models here."

Do you have any experience in modeling before?" tanong niya nang walang kaemo-emosyon sa mukha. 

"W..Wala pa po..F..First time ko po ito..."

Tumangu-tango lamang siya saka ako tinignan mula ulo hanggang paa. "Can you turn around?"

"O..Opo..."

Umikot ako gaya ng sinabi niya. Hindi ko mapigilan ang manginig dahil pakiramdam ko ay ina-assess niya kada hibla ko at pati na rin ang kaluluwa ko. 

"I like your face, your height, and the way you dress. You are in, your training will start tomorrow."

Kaagad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang nakatingin kay Lance. "T..Talaga po? Pwede na akong mag-trabaho rito sa kompanya ninyo?!"

"Of course, especially because you are recommended by Lance." nakangiti niyang sagot.

 "Salamat po talaga... Napakalaking bagay nito para sa akin..."

"You are very welcome, Miss Laurens. You just have to go here tomorrow at eight o'clock and you'll finally start training."

"Thank you po.... pupunta po kaagad ako rito bukas..."

"Okay, see you tomorrow then."

Matapos niyon ay kaagad na rin kaming umalis ni Lance mula sa building na iyon. 

"I told you, pasok ka kaagad." sabi sa akin ni Lance.

"Hindi pa tayo sure, baka titignan pa nila bukas."

Umiling siya. "You're already in, that's what she said. That means model ka na nila.  Ang kailangan mo nalang ang training."

"Lance, maraming salamat talaga sa'yo."

"Tch. Sabi ko naman sa'yong hindi mo na ako kailangan pang pasalamatan, hindi ba? Kailangan mo munang maging ang pinaka-successful model sa buong bansa. Hihintayin kong mangyari iyon."

Tumawa ako. "Ang taas naman ng pangarap mo para sa akin."

"Sophie."

"Hmm?"

"W..Wala. Gusto mo bang mag-celebrate tayo? Maybe let's have some coffee?"

"Sure!"

Vincent's POV

"Boss, hindi niyo po ba sila lalapitan?" George asked me while we were looking at Sophie and Lance who were walking down the street while smiling at each other.

Looks like she's learning how to smile again with Lance. I wonder what they are talking about.

"George, let's go now."

"Okay, boss."

I will fulfill my promise, I will give her time. I will let her do whatever she wants until she's ready to face me again. I don't want to force her so I will just let her be free.

My phone started ringing again.

It was Monica.

I don't even know why she keeps on insisting herself on me when she already has my brother. Or maybe they broke up already.

I didn't answer the call so she texted me instead.

From: Monica

Vincent, I will wait here no matter what happens. I am waiting here at the coffee shop.

Damn it, she won't really let me get away with this.

"George, let's go to Tulips Coffee Shop."

"Yes, boss."

I will end this shit with her. I will make things clear.

As soon as I entered the coffee shop, I saw Monica sitting there with a smile on her face while looking at me. I walked towards her and she ran into me and hugged me tightly. "Oh Vincent.... I missed you so much... My Vincent..."

I gently pushed her away. "Monica, what do you really want from me?"

"Don't you want to take a seat first? Let's have some coffee."

"I don't have time for that. Just tell me what you want to talk about."

"I want to talk about us, Vincent. Let's start over again, I want to be with you. I don't love Lance."

"What?"

"You are the only man that I want, Vincent. Please listen to me, I love you so much. Please just be mine..."

I furrowed my brows at her. "Monica, listen to me. I don't love you anymore. I have my wife and I love her. I love you too but just as a childhood friend. I am so sorry but I no longer have feelings for you. For all those years when you were in another country, my feelings slowly disappeared too. Especially when Sophie came. She's the one that I love now, Monica. I hope you understand that. And I know for sure that you are going to meet a guy who will love you back."

"No, you can't do this to me, Vincent.... You can't do this to me."

"Please, Monica. Stop doing this, okay? I still have so many things to do so please prioritize what you need to do too. Goodbye. This will be the last time that I will meet you." I said then I finally started walking away from her.